“I love you, too.”
Stuffing the phone into a pocket, Alyssa watched the stars drift by. Lorn’s gentle snores lulled her and soon she dozed off. Dreams of running through the destroyed headquarters with a baby bundled in her arms plagued her.
The jerk of the minivan stopping and the clunk of Edward shifting the gears into park woke her with a start.
“You two stay here with Lorn while we check it out.” He peered over the seat, his eyes roaming over the three of them. Jess nodded, gripping Lorn’s hand. Alyssa shifted around, searching for her pistol.
Flicking her eyes upward, Edward’s outstretched hand caught her attention. He held out a sawed-off shotgun, looking at her with determination.
“You probably left it in the other car,” he said. “This one’s loaded with heavy shot. It’ll break your wrist, but the spray is wide. Use two hands.”
“Okay.” Alyssa took the shotgun, nervous to use an unfamiliar weapon. Cecily hadn’t gotten around to teaching them secondary firearms, mostly focusing on their EDC—everyday carry—weapons. From what Alyssa had learned, she assumed the shotgun would knock someone on their ass at the very least.
“Where are we?” She pulled herself up from the floorboards, working her way into the front passenger seat. She watched Edward and Maira scout the front of what appeared to be a rundown hospital.
“I’m not sure,” Jess whispered. “I think Dad said this place used to be called Ritzville, but it’s just another ghost town. He came here with a team a couple weeks ago to look for supplies, and they decided this would be a good place for a backup headquarters. I doubt they knew we would need it so soon.”
***
While they waited, other vehicles arrived in a slow trickle from different directions. Some of the men went inside to help Jess’ parents clear the place. Alyssa watched the moving shadows, gripping the shotgun with white knuckles.
“How are you feeling?” Jess whispered. Alyssa glanced back to see Lorn pushing himself up to a sitting position, Jess hovering anxiously.
“I am better,” he muttered, groaning. “You can check, but the wound should be closed now. The muscles just ache.”
“Wow,” Alyssa whispered. “I can’t believe it.”
“I know, right?” Jess inspected Lorn’s back with a pen light. The hole had scabbed over with purple bruises surrounding it. Alyssa shook her head, blinking slowly.
The door opening at her back made her jump, spinning in her seat, thrusting the shotgun forward. Edward sidestepped with his hands up.
“Whoa, mercy, it’s just me.”
“Daddy, is it safe?”
“Yeah, we’re all good here.” He slid open the side door. “Let’s get Lorn inside. Kelly’s here with Ela. Says for you to find her ASAP, Aly.”
She climbed out to help with Lorn but Edward shooed her off. Jordan and Kora waited by the SUV a few feet away. Alyssa joined them, smiling at the way Jordan appeared so protective of his little family.
“How’s your shoulder?” Alyssa asked, following them inside. Lyssa slept in Kora’s arms, so she kept her voice down.
“Hurts like a bitch,” he grumbled, “but it’ll be fine.”
“Get Ela to look at it, would you? Make sure you didn’t do more damage.”
“Already been ordered by the boss here.” He chuckled, grinning down at Kora. “After that, I need to get these two settled so I can take a head count and check on everyone.”
“Jordan, you should rest,” Kora hissed as he held a boarded-up door open for them. It appeared as if someone had attempted to repair the hospital but gave up long ago. Thick dust coated every surface.
“How long do you think we’ll be here?” Alyssa peered around the barren waiting room, a chill prickling her skin. Small LED lanterns had been placed by the door and along the hallway beyond the reception area, the double doors propped open.
“At least until Bas gets back,” he said. “We’ll have to contact the other groups to see who’s got room for us. Hopefully someone’ll have room for all of us. Sebastian won’t like splitting up our team.”
“Yeah, but we had a lot of people there. Who’s big enough to take us all in?” Alyssa hugged herself, walking on one side of Kora and whispering over her head. She preferred to do things in a way that made Kora feel included, always putting her in the middle of whatever they were doing. For the most part, Kora didn’t seem to mind. She’d grown comfortable with everyone they’d been living with.
“Seattle maybe?” Jordan shook his head, the shadows of the dim hall making his face seem gaunt and his eyes sunken in. Alyssa knew he hadn’t been sleeping much since his injury.
They rounded a corner, following the trail marked by lanterns, and entered a triage area. Beds stuck out from the walls separated by dingy, lank curtains. Kelly spotted them and rushed over.
“Jordan, Ela’s waiting for you. Take the bed at the end.” She pointed at an empty cubby, six beds down the long room. Ela huddled with Nait in a nurse’s station, slogging over to meet Jordan and Kora. “Alyssa, you need to call Shar. She called me while we were on the way here, but the reception cut out. She sounded upset.”
“Can I use your phone? Mine’s dead.”
Kelly handed Alyssa her phone.
Static mixed with the ringing, but Shar picked up on the sixth ring.
“Kelly?” Her voice sounded frantic, frightening Alyssa. It took a lot to rattle the Szu’Kara.
“It’s Alyssa. What’s going on?”
Kelly listened, watching her with a frown.
“Alyssa, I need help getting away from the compound right away.” Her hushed tone made Alyssa tense up.
“Why? What’s happening?”
“The commander ordered me to prepare a locked room for you. He wants me to inseminate you. He’s been trying unsuccessfully with the women Ras brings him.”
“Oh my God! You’ve got to be kidding me.” Alyssa’s knees went weak, forcing Kelly to steady her.
“He believes you are the only woman capable of carrying his offspring,” she whispered hurriedly. “Alyssa, he murders the women when they fail their pregnancy testing. I do not know what he will do if he gets you, and I cannot be a part of his despicable plans. I need—”
A yell and clattering pierced Alyssa’s ear. Male voices barked on the other end.
“Shar! Shar!” Alyssa screamed into the phone.
“Alyssa, my dear. How are you?”
She froze. Hearing Kayn made her stomach turn.
“Better without you,” she said through clenched teeth. “What are you doing to Shar?”
“Since she has obviously been in contact with you and not reporting your location to me, I have no choice but to allow General Ras to extract the information from her.”
“You better not hurt her!” Hands gripped Alyssa’s arms, and she looked up to find Kelly and Jordan staring at her, anger simmering in their eyes.
“I cannot guarantee her safety, my dear,” he said, his slimy voice making her cringe in disgust. “You have no idea how enthusiastic he can be.”
“I swear, Kayn,” Alyssa growled, “if you harm her, I will—”
“What will you do?” he snarled. “You are hiding away like a frightened mouse. As soon as you leave whatever hole you are cowering in, you will be returned to me like the errant child that you are.”
Ras didn’t tell him… “I’ll never come back to you. You’re a fucking monster, Kayn. You’ve been murdering women and enslaving humans. Why? So you can be some sort of dictator, ruler of Earth. You don’t deserve to reproduce. I would rather die before letting you impregnate me again!”
“Tsk. I certainly hope it does not come to that, my dear. I will find you. You will be mine again… soon.”
“Never!” Alyssa jammed her finger against the off button, shoving it at Kelly. She promptly dropped it and smashed it under her heel.
“Alyssa?” Jordan turned her to face him.
Tears streamed down her face. “He go
t Shar,” she wailed. “He was going to force her to inseminate me!” Everyone in triage watched as Alyssa collapsed, dropping her face into her trembling hands.
Jordan and Kelly muttered to each other over her head, but she didn’t care enough to listen. Strong arms lifted her, leading her to an empty bed. Alyssa blinked away the tears, focusing on Jack until Kelly pushed him aside.
“Tell us what happened, Alyssa,” she said with a red face and a floppy ponytail.
While Alyssa recounted the conversation, Ela examined Jordan. Everyone in the vicinity that could walk crowded around to hear the news. Jack shook his head over and over. Kelly stood with her arms akimbo and her brow furrowed in a deep frown. Eventually, Ela gave Alyssa a sedative to calm her frayed nerves.
Chapter 15
For three days, the eastern Washington coalition group hid inside the abandoned hospital, restless and bored. Jordan and Edward enlisted as many people as possible to scour the place for supplies they might have missed on their previous visit. Alyssa and the rest of the gang helped clean up and repair the few areas designated safe enough to occupy.
Despite the limited supplies, most of the group agreed with Jordan that they shouldn’t venture out in search of more or try to make the trip to the Spokane settlement until Sebastian returned. A few people grumbled about rationing, but no one was willing to risk being found by Ras again. They’d lost eight people in the attack.
When the night watch alerted everyone of approaching vehicles, Alyssa and Jess guarded Kora and Lyssa while the rest of the coalition members grabbed weapons and prepared to fight back. They waited, adrenaline flowing, for sounds of fighting, but none came.
Alyssa glanced around the cafeteria they spent all their time in, wary eyes looking back. Kora held a sleeping Lyssa, rocking her gently.
“Why is it so quiet?” Jess whispered, standing next to Alyssa with her gun hanging at her side.
“I don’t kno—”
Sebastian sauntered through the double doors with Jordan at his side, their heads bent toward each other. Alyssa holstered her pistol and ran, pouncing on him. He held her up, spinning with the momentum of catching her. She spotted Zirena standing at the back of the cafeteria, scowling at them.
Ignoring her, Alyssa dropped her legs, standing on her own feet but still clinging to Sebastian.
“I’m so happy you’re here!”
He grinned down at her. “Me too, darlin’. I was worried about you.” He stooped to her ear and whispered, “I missed you.”
His words sent delicious chills down Alyssa’s spine. “I missed you too, babe.” She peered into his cobalt eyes, melting under their heat. She instantly regretted the loss of their private room.
“Bas.” Jordan nudged his shoulder.
“I know,” he said. “Get everyone ready.”
“What about Kora?” Jordan frowned at Sebastian.
“Right, uh, sorry. Got a little distracted.” He gave Alyssa a smoldering kiss before turning around.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Sebastian’s deep voice rolled through the space, silencing the room. “I need Edward, Maira, Jess, Lorn, Kora and Lyssa, Ela, and Nait to come with me. The rest of you, sit tight. We’ll be having a meeting in a few minutes.”
“And me, right?” Alyssa felt a fleeting moment of insecurity, shoving it away with a teasing smile.
“Of course, darlin’,” he murmured, his eyes shining on her, warming her as if they were the sun and she hadn’t been outside in months.
Jordan gathered Kora and Lyssa and they all trailed down the hall to the waiting room. Cecily, Daniel, and a couple guys from the night watch stood around a tall bald guy Alyssa didn’t recognize. She could only see his back, but even in the dim light his skin coloring gave him away as Szu’Kara.
As they approached the newcomer, he turned. Alyssa and Jess gasped, their steps faltering. Oh my God, he has eyes like Lyssa. Aqua irises surrounded pinpoint pupils set in shimmery white sclera. The lantern Daniel held shined on turquoise skin.
The way he stood and the build of his body left no doubt he was male, but the rest of him baffled Alyssa. His face showed no emotion; only his eyes followed their movement toward him. She grabbed Sebastian’s hand, her palm damp, and her heart fluttering.
When they stopped two feet in front of him, Alyssa saw a marking on his forehead. Dark blue against his turquoise skin, a star sat inside a circle with lines shooting outward like a sun. His eyes roamed over everyone, landing on her with an intensity that made her squeamish.
“Guys, this is Valel,” Sebastian said, breaking the tense silence. “He’s Karan.”
“Greetings,” Lorn said with a bow of his head.
Edward stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Valel.”
The Karan took Edward’s hand as if he were uncomfortable with the contact.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Jordan asked with his usual goofy grin, an arm draped around Kora.
“Welcome,” Jess said, smiling politely. She clung to Lorn’s side, keeping her hands to herself.
“Valel, this is my girlfriend, Alyssa.” Sebastian beamed down at her, making her blush and look down.
Why the hell do I suddenly feel nervous?
“Very nice to meet you all,” Valel said in a somber, baritone voice.
“Kora,” Sebastian said, “I thought you might want to meet Valel and introduce him to Lyssa before the meeting. Fewer people and less commotion here.”
Kora stared at Sebastian, her eyes blinking wildly. She didn’t handle meeting new people all that well.
“It’s okay,” Jordan muttered. “I’m right here.” He pulled her toward the Karan, holding her close.
“May I see your child?” Valel tilted his head to the side, arms held behind his back.
Kora stared at him wide-eyed, her lips pinched and trembling slightly. He stepped close to her, crouching down to look at Lyssa.
“She is very beautiful.” He smiled at the baby who watched him from her mother’s arms. “Unlike any of the other children.”
“What do you mean?” Jordan looked down at the child, worry lining his face.
“Her skin and eyes are much lighter than other Karan children. I also sense more strength in her.”
“Strength?” Kora whispered, her wide eyes growing bigger.
“Not a physical strength,” he said, standing. “A psychic strength nearly as strong as a full-blooded Szu’Kara.” He turned abruptly to face Alyssa, his eyes boring into her. “I sense it in you as well.”
“Me?” Alyssa squeaked, shaken by the intensity of his gaze.
“Yes. You and the child have almost equal power levels. I confess this fascinates me as you are obviously human. Where is your child?”
“My child?” His words jarred Alyssa. “I don’t have a child.”
“Uh, we should get to the meeting,” Sebastian said, interjecting. “My people are waiting.”
“Of course,” Valel said, bowing his head to Sebastian, then Cecily. “Please, lead the way.”
Sebastian turned around, marching to the cafeteria, keeping Alyssa’s hand tight in his. She peeked up at his face and saw his lips pressed in a thin line and little crinkles at the corner of his eyes. His jaw ticked rhythmically.
“What’s wrong, Sebastian?” Alyssa squeezed his hand to reassure him.
“We’ll talk later. Let’s just get through the meeting.”
“Okay,” she said as they entered to a waiting crowd. Loud gasps greeted Valel. Edward, Maira, Jess, and Lorn returned to their seats, startling Alyssa as they moved past her. She’d forgotten their presence when Valel had turned his aqua eyes on her.
Without releasing her hand, Sebastian cleared his throat and gestured at the chattering group, quieting them. “I’d like to introduce you all to Valel. He is Karan.” Confused mutterings echoed among the people. “I understand many of you have no idea what a Karan is, although I’m sure you may have guessed he is like our own beloved Lyssa.” He nodded and smil
ed at the burbling baby. “Valel, if you wouldn’t mind.”
With a nod, the Karan slid forward while Sebastian moved back, tugging Alyssa along with him. He wrapped an arm around her waist. She sighed with contentment, but something niggled at the back of her mind, something she didn’t want to think about.
“My name is Valel,” he said, voice booming throughout the room. “I am Karan, a mixed breed of human and Szu’Kara. I was raised at the Nursery, as are almost all Karans. The tattoo on my head marks me as Karan. As children, we are only allowed out at night, if at all. They marked us with a star to show our status as children of the night, but also because some Karans appear so human that our keepers did not want to risk one of us escaping into human society. When we come of age, our keepers place us on secure compounds without humans. We are essentially born into slavery, kept within the confines of Szu’Kara society, forced to serve them as a second class.”
Sebastian dropped Alyssa’s hand, stepping up beside Valel. “We all know the Zooks reproduce at a much slower rate than humans, and by breeding with humans, they have doubled their birthrate. That sounds like a lot, but it still doesn’t match human-only births. We’ve discovered that not only are the Karans enslaved to the Zooks like the humans they’ve stolen, but they have been abducting women from all over the world.”
Several people gasped and a few yelled their anger. Sebastian held up his hands for quiet. When the crowd settled back down, he continued. “We’ve learned in the past about how the commander orders that all pregnant women and women with hybrid infants that survive birth are taken by shuttle pod to the Nursery. Until now, we were unable to confirm the location of the Nursery, but thanks to the few liberated Karans that we met at the summit, Valel included—” he nodded at the Karan, who nodded back “—we now know where the women and children are kept. In fact, I remember seeing the Nursery ship when I was a kid; I just didn’t know that’s what it was at the time.”
“Where is it?” someone from the crowd asked.
“The northern Oregon coast. They planted it in the middle of a beach town after eliminating everyone that remained during the war.”
Unchained: The Discordant Earth Series Book Two Page 11