“I’ve spoken to a couple of the committee members, and I think we’re going to keep our group separate. That way they can be as neutral as possible, preserving diplomacy, while we continue to aggressively pursue our agenda. Cecily and I have tossed around the idea of changing our name to ‘International Coalition for Genocide Prevention.’”
At the mention of Cecily, a pang of jealousy rang through Alyssa, causing her to blush at the unwanted emotion. She knew they were only friends, even though they had a past, but something about him being away for more than a few hours brought back feelings of insecurity she hadn’t had since high school.
“Sebastian.” Cecily put her hand on his shoulder to get his attention, pulling him away from the screen.
“I have to go.” Sebastian gave them a small salute, and winked at Alyssa again before reaching for the telecommunications device on his end.
As the screen dimmed and went dark, Alyssa watched as Sebastian huddled close to Cecily to look at something she pointed at on the table. Jordan switched off their screen, and her heart squeezed as she hugged herself, turning away from the blank television.
“You all right, Aly?” Jess touched her arm, peering at her with concern.
With big eyes brimming with tears, Alyssa rushed from the room, hoping no one else noticed her emotional display.
Footsteps sounded behind her. She turned a corner and a hand grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around.
“Aly, what’s going on?” Jess gaped at her, gripping Alyssa’s elbows. “Why are you crying?”
Alyssa swiped at her cheeks, surprised at the number of tears that had escaped. She shook her head, embarrassed and ashamed.
“Jess, I miss him so much. It’s so hard only seeing him on that screen and not being able to talk to him.”
“You can call him, you know…”
“I know, but it sounds like he’s going to be so busy. This summit is so important. I don’t want to be a distraction.”
“I don’t think he’d be bothered.” Jess pulled her in, wrapping an arm around Alyssa’s shoulders.
“I guess, but seeing him like that, so far away, with Cecily…” Her voice hitched as she quietly sobbed.
“What does Cecily have to do with anything?” Jess bent her head down to stare into Alyssa’s downturned eyes. Her brows stitched together, and her lips flattened in a twisted line.
“Nothing—everything!” Alyssa spun out of Jess’ hold, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “It’s just that they used to have a… thing, you know?”
“No, I don’t know.” Jess scowled, her arms crossed as she stood with her left hip popped out and her right foot tapping impatiently.
“When they were younger, and Sebastian was in California,” Alyssa said, pacing the dimly lit hallway, “they had a… a relationship, sort of.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that? Did something happen recently? Do we hate Cecily now?”
“No!” Alyssa paused her pacing to smile at Jess. Couldn’t ask for a better friend. “Nothing happened.” She threw her hands up and resumed pacing. “I just feel jealous all of the sudden. I know we’ve only been together a few months, but we really haven’t been apart much, especially lately.”
Jess stepped up to Alyssa, grabbing her hands and locking eyes. “Listen. Sebastian loves you. Cecily cares about you. I haven’t seen any signs of anything going on between them that isn’t coalition-related. You have nothing to worry about.”
The words flowed over her, and Alyssa tried to feel the conviction she heard in Jess’ voice, but doubt still niggled in her brain. “I know you’re right, but I can’t help these feelings, irrational as they are.”
“Does this have to do with the boys in school? Aly, they were all idiots getting their first taste of Valene. We now know Valene is a highly addictive drug. You really can’t even blame them anymore for dumping you the way they did. They probably didn’t know what they were doing.”
“True. They were probably brainwashed by their Asen’Sha guides. I never thought of that, but it makes sense now that you mention it. How did you manage to keep that boyfriend that stayed with you for three years?”
“You know we were dating almost a year before he came of age,” Jess said, and Alyssa nodded. “When it was his time to move up to the next level, we were already ‘in love.’ He asked me before deciding, and I told him I didn’t want him to be like the guys that kept leaving you. Plus, I promised I wouldn’t go to the next level either.”
“I remember your guide wasn’t happy, even though you ended up doing it anyways after you broke up with that guy.”
“Well,” Jess said, rolling her eyes, “he ended up cheating on me with another girl, so none of it mattered anyway. Besides, I have Lorn now.” She smiled brightly, snaking her arm around Alyssa’s elbow, pulling her down the hall.
They didn’t make it more than a few feet when Zirena stepped out of a dark corner.
Alyssa and Jess halted, their elbows squeezing tight, creating a supporting connection between them. Alyssa sighed loudly as Zirena stared at them with narrowed eyes and a raised eyebrow. Her upper lip curled into a sneer.
“You just can’t keep your men satisfied, can you, Alyssa?” Her whiny voice bounced along the walls of the hallway.
“Were you eavesdropping, Zirena?” Jess asked.
“I couldn’t help overhearing her little pity party. ‘Oh, woe is me. I’m Alyssa, and I’ve never been able to hold onto a man.’ You don’t deserve them.”
“Them?” Alyssa glared. “Do you mean Kayn and Sebastian? Well, you can have your precious alien commander; I don’t want that bastard. As far as Sebastian is concerned, you keep your fucking nose out of our business. We love each other, and there’s nothing you can do to change that. Stop being a bitch for two seconds and open your eyes. You are never going to get between me and him!”
Jess stuck her chin out. “What she said.”
Zirena shook with rage that colored her face bright red. Alyssa worried her fragile body might break under the pressure. Might be a good thing…
“You don’t know anything!” Zirena hunched slightly, her hands clenched at her sides. “You have no idea—”
“What? That you think you should be the one with Sebastian? That Kayn treated you so bad, and everyone should shower you with pity? Well, think again! Kayn did things to me too, Zirena. We’re both lucky to have survived him, but you don’t see me running around trying to make everyone feel bad for me. The beaten puppy act isn’t going to get Sebastian to love you and leave me, so get over yourself.”
“Why didn’t you just stay in California?” Jess asked, taking a step toward a fuming Zirena. “Why do you keep forcing Cecily to bring you here? You don’t do anything besides cause trouble. The only thing you’re ever going to get from Sebastian, or anyone else for that matter, is pity. And if you keep this crap up, everyone will be looking at you with disgust. We’re done with you.”
With that, Jess hooked Alyssa’s arm, and they marched away, leaving Zirena to stew in her anger. Alyssa glanced back just before they turned the corner, indistinct muttering catching her attention. All she saw was a glimpse of Zirena’s back disappearing into the shadows.
***
“She said that?” Kora gawped at Jess as she recounted the entire confrontation.
Jess straightened a pile of t-shirts stacked next to a half-filled suitcase. A second suitcase waited by the door for Daniel, Sebastian’s assistant, to carry it to the garage where Jess’ dad, Edward, had stocked a minivan with travel supplies.
Before leaving, Sebastian had arranged for Jordan, Kora, and Lyssa to go live at the Seattle headquarters. They wouldn’t be leaving until after the summit, but with a baby and an injured boyfriend, Kora packed whenever she had a free moment. This free moment was courtesy of Kelly, who insisted the dorm residents needed as much baby time as possible before their departure.
“I know, right?” Jess flung her hands up, nearly knocking over Kora’s met
iculously folded clothes. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to mess up your pile o’ perfection. Why the OCD folding?”
“Sen…” Kora’s head drooped and she peered at them through her dark eyelashes.
Alyssa and Jess both nodded in understanding. Poor Kora had endured an awful life with that Zook, basically kept as a slave and breeder.
“Well, anyway, I just don’t know what we’re going to do about Zirena.”
“We’re stuck with her until Cecily and Sebastian get back,” Alyssa said with a deep sigh. “Just steer clear of her, and if we have to, we’ll eat all our meals in our rooms.”
“That’s not reasonable, Aly.” Kora watched her over the collar of a shirt she was folding. “Lyssa hates being cooped up in here all day. I’m sure Zirena will back off after you two scolded her.”
“I certainly hope so.” Alyssa stood over Lyssa’s crib, running her fingers along the rails, choking back a lump in her throat. Why did he kill our baby? She stared wistfully at the baby blankets, folded and tucked so tight a quarter would’ve bounced off them.
Her hand strayed to her flat stomach. Tears burned in her eyes, but she blinked them away before turning back to her friends. Jess and Kora watched her, their faces a mix of concern and sympathy.
“Uh, sorry. My emotions are all over the place. That confrontation with Zirena really didn’t help matters either.”
“Don’t be sad, Aly,” Kora said softly. “Someday, you and Sebastian will have kids, and you won’t have to worry about him going crazy on you. He loves you so much. Don’t be jealous of Cecily, and don’t let that horrible troll make you feel bad.”
“Thanks, Kora. I’ll try my best to hold it together.” Alyssa sniffled, grateful for such supportive friends. “Are you looking forward to the move? Sebastian says Seattle is the safest place on the upper west coast.”
“I guess,” Kora said, glancing away, and grabbing another shirt to occupy her hands with. “I’m going to miss you guys, and I’m a little scared. You know how long it took me to get used to the people here. Jordan says there’s lots more people in Seattle. What if I can’t adjust?”
“You’ll have him and Lyssa,” Jess said, “and we’ll visit often. Besides, that baby of yours is the best ice-breaker around. You just let her charm everyone while you get used to the new people. If you start to panic, smile, and tell people it’s nap time or feeding time. Babies are a great excuse to get away for a moment to catch your breath.”
“Okay… but it won’t be the same without you two there.”
“Aww,” Alyssa and Jess said in unison as they pulled Kora into a group hug.
Chapter 12
Lightning flashed around the edges of the closed blinds in Kora and Jordan’s room. Alyssa and Jess sat on the sofa, both fidgeting as they watched Kora pace back and forth in front of them. In her bouncing arms, Lyssa screamed at the top of her lungs. The only time the screaming paused was when thunder startled her, then the hysterics would resume anew.
“Are you sure we can’t do anything to help?” Alyssa practically yelled to be heard over Lyssa and the clattering of rain beating the window.
“No, she’s just scared.” Kora shifted the baby in her arms, switching from bouncing to swinging the inconsolable child. “Maybe you can take over when my arms get tired.”
“Sure, we can work in shifts.” Alyssa glanced at Jess who nodded, the corners of her mouth downturned with worry.
When the storm started, Jordan had rounded up everyone to check windows and doors. He sent Lorn in search of buckets and bowls, anything to catch the drips from the ceilings. One of the reasons they’d been able to hide so close to the Command Compound had been the fact that headquarters looked like the rundown mill it actually was. The buildings all appeared to be crumbling and desolate from the outside.
The insides were marginally better. When the coalition moved in, they fixed up the interior enough to be livable and usable, but the buildings still had problems, like leaky ceilings. Passersby wouldn’t guess anyone to be inside the buildings, and the courtyard that Lyssa loved so much sat in the center of the lot, hidden from plain view.
Another flash of lightning, followed by thunder two seconds later, sent Lyssa into another tizzy. The strain showed on Kora’s face, prompting Alyssa to step up and take the terrified baby. Cooing and bouncing, she resumed Kora’s circular pacing as the tired mother dropped onto the sofa next to Jess.
“Did you get all your packing done?” Jess asked in a raised voice.
“Yeah, we’re pretty much ready to go anytime. As soon as Sebastian returns and relieves Jordan of his duties here, we’re heading out. Any word on how much longer they’ll be gone?”
“Sebastian called this morning, when they took a lunch break. The time difference is weird, but he said things are going really good. They voted to keep the coalition and the committee separate, so now we’re officially the International Coalition for Genocide Prevention. We’re keeping the symbol, so we won’t have to get new logos printed.”
“Well, that’s good, since most of the shirts I packed have our symbol on them.”
“Yeah. Any new stuff we get will have the symbol and the new title—” Another clap of thunder rattled the window, frightening Lyssa, who jerked in Alyssa’s arms, staring up with huge teary eyes, her mouth frozen open a moment before launching into another fit of wailing.
“Did that sound different to you guys?” Jess glanced back and forth between them. Kora stood to take the baby back.
“Uh, no, I don’t think so.” Alyssa handed over the sobbing child, Lyssa’s arms reaching for her mother.
“I need to feed her, if she’ll calm down long enough to do so. Would one of you mind running to the cafeteria to warm up a bottle? I forgot to make some up to keep in our mini-fridge with all the packing, and I don’t think it’s a good time to try baby food.”
“I’ll go,” Alyssa said, grateful for a reprieve. “Jess can stay with you.”
Jess looked at her as if to say, “Traitor,” as she slipped out the door.
The hallways were dark. Someone had set up LED lanterns at the ends of the halls, providing enough light to keep a person from walking into walls. Alyssa had never thought to ask where the regular power came from.
Feeling her way through the cafeteria and into the kitchen, she found the cabinet where the extra baby formula and bottles were stored. Working by memory, she slapped together a bottle, filled it with powder and water, and shook as she spun around to leave.
“Uh, no power, no heated bottle… Sorry, Lyssa.”
A noise in the cafeteria startled her, and she stood stock still, her eyes darting around, scanning the darkness. She slowly crept to the kitchen door, sure she was being paranoid.
“It’s probably just someone checking for leaks,” she whispered, peeking out at the empty tables. Movement by the door to the hallway caught her eye. Peering through the dark with squinted eyes, Alyssa tried to make out the source of the movement.
“Jordan? Is that you?” She stepped out cautiously, shoving the bottle into her back pocket, wincing as it pressed tight against her butt cheek.
A few more slow steps and she saw a tall body moving toward her. “Who’s there?”
“You do not recognize an old friend?”
The deep, grating voice rasped in her ears, sending shivers down Alyssa’s spine. No way. No damn way!
“Ras?”
“Nice to see you again, Miss Rose.” The sneer on his face was obvious in his tone, even though she could only see his outline in the dark.
“It’s not nice to see you, and we were never friends, General.” Alyssa almost said, “General Ass,” but self-preservation held her tongue.
“We have been searching for you, Miss Rose. Yet here you are, hiding in plain sight, as they say.”
“How did you find me?” Alyssa considered her options. There were only two ways out: the door behind Ras and a door in the kitchen that led outside. I’m not fast enough to get ar
ound Ras and his stilt legs. The kitchen door it is then. She started inching her way backward, holding all but her feet as still as possible.
“The commander has activated all the satellites. One of them captured images of vehicles entering this facility. I did not believe we would be so lucky to find you here, but surveillance spotted you, so the commander sent me to retrieve you.”
“Why?” she asked kind of loud, trying to make her voice sound like she wasn’t moving farther away from him. “Why does he still want me? He killed our baby, so I don’t have anything he wants anymore.”
“I do not understand his obsession with you, a filthy human,” he growled in derision. “His search to replace you has been… unsuccessful. I will perform the duties my commander has set before me.”
Alyssa felt the temperature difference as she approached the door of the cool kitchen. She reached behind her, grasping for the edge of the doorway. Movement at the cafeteria entrance caused her to go still, hand gripping the metal door jamb.
“You will come with me willingly, or I will take you by force. Either way, you will be returning to the commander’s residence, and y—”
A second silhouette stepped up behind the general and clasped his head. His body slumped against the second form.
“Aly,” Lorn yelled, “run! Find Jess and get out of here!”
She spun into the kitchen and slammed into the exit door, shoving the long bar-handle down. The heavy door swung open, and Alyssa dashed out into the downpour, instantly drenched. Her purple hair stuck to her cheeks and eyelids. If I’d known this shit was going to happen, I would have put my hair in a barrette or something. Sheesh!
Hoping Ras’ soldiers hadn’t found her friends, Alyssa raced through the rain to the front building. Rubble and old farm equipment made the going slow, nearly toppling her over several times when her foot snagged on something she couldn’t see.
Unchained: The Discordant Earth Series Book Two Page 9