by Debbie Zaken
He nodded, his face filling with concern. “Are you all right? Your voice is shaking.”
“I’m fine.”
“Well, this is all so touching I think I am going to cry,” the Celeian with the red eyes mocked. “And the young lady here certainly looks like she could use a handkerchief.”
“Do not talk to her, Kaleb. Do not even look at her,” Ethan hissed.
The other two yellow-eyed aliens snickered. “Testy,” one of them said. “I wonder what has gotten into this one.”
“I guess spending so much time with those emotients will do that to you. Personally, I do not see the appeal,” the other one remarked, his yellow feline eyes scanning me from top to bottom.
“You too, Levi, Abel. I am warning you.” Ethan struggled to break free, but neither the glowing handcuffs nor the two aliens holding him gave way.
Aaron gave a mocking laugh. “Abigail is right. You really need to stop letting your emotions get the best of you. That is what got you into this mess in the first place. Behave now, Ethan. We do not want to be late. The Magistrate is waiting.”
We left the wrecked Tesla on the side of the road. Aaron pulled right up to the bank of the lake, the Jeeps going through the rough and narrow terrain with ease. Just like Ethan had done, he touched the invisible force field and a doorway of swirling energy appeared. I closed my eyes, prepared for the gust of wind, and stepped through.
The alien ship had changed since the last time I’d seen it. This time it formed a silver crescent moon, making a wide metallic arch that rose out of the water. Blue beams glowed inside, like iridescent waterfalls of light. Aaron stared intently at the glowing silver vessel and a metallic ramp appeared.
“After you.” He signaled to Ethan and me.
Ethan let out a sorrowful sigh and we climbed on. Staring at the lustrous structure floating on the water, primal fear overran me. A cold sweat ran down my spine, and my heart throbbed in my ears. After what I’d just witnessed, I knew I might not come out of that ship alive.
The closer we got, I noticed that the ship was constantly changing form— the liquid metal undulating into towers and spheres, like buildings in a city skyline. A silver city of Oz and all I wanted was to click my heels and wish us away from there.
We walked through the metallic city, the buildings so sheen they reflected my pale, terror-stricken face. I tried very hard to control it, but my teeth wouldn’t stop chattering. I knew they heard everything, could smell the fear oozing from my pores.
We reached a structure that resembled a giant drop of water. Waves rippled on its metallic surface and a circular entryway appeared.
Aaron stopped and stared at Ethan, as if deliberating. Then he placed a finger on Ethan’s temple. “I am going to remove these from your eyes. But do not get any ideas. There are too many of us, even for you, Ethan.”
Ethan gave a quick nod and the blindfold slipped from his face, dropping to the floor.
“Go,” Aaron ordered.
Inside, the walls were not the liquid metal that I expected, but diaphanous—the sky completely visible and showing millions of stars and nebulas of colorful gases. The unbounded beauty of the Milky Way.
Passing a glass hall, we stepped through a semicircle and into a dimly lit room. Six figures wearing metallic cloaks sat courtly behind a long table that emerged from the floor, like judges in some bizarre medieval trial. Their faces hid behind the cloaks, but their eyes glowed in unnatural colors— red, yellow, green, gold. The two sets of blue eyes looked familiar. It only took me a second to recognize the emotionless ice blue glaciers; Abigail. The other was a cross between Ethan’s cobalt eyes and Abigail’s frigid ones. A sort of artic lightning storm.
“Father?” I heard the astonishment in Ethan’s voice.
“Et-han.” The extraterrestrial with the electric glacial eyes lowered his cloak.
Aside from Abigail, Ethan never talked about his family. I’d never even thought about him having actual parents. The resemblance was obvious in the face of this older—at least, older-looking than Ethan and Abigail— alien. His hair was lighter than Abigail’s, but slightly long and jagged, like Ethan’s. I could also see Ethan’s prominent jaw line and dimpled chin. It was also the first time I’d heard Ethan’s Celeian name. Et-han.
Ethan’s father sighed. “Why am I not surprised to find you in such a bind? I simply thought it would take longer than a single Earth month.”
“This is not—”
Ethan’s father held up a hand. “First thing’s first. Aaron! Kaleb! Why is my son bound like a common criminal?”
“I apologize, Cedron, but he gave us some trouble. He would not come willingly.”
Aaron’s humble voice shocked me. He bowed his head to Ethan’s father and I noticed Kaleb do the same. The sense of reverence permeated the room.
“Release him.”
“Yes, Cedron.”
Kaleb signaled to Levi and Abel. Levi focused his yellow cat eyes on the glowing green shackles and they fell to the floor. Abel picked up the rings and they both stepped aside.
“Et-han.” Cedron signaled for him to come forward. “I have heard the recount of your testimony from the Magistrate. This is very simple. End it with the girl and you will be pardoned.”
Ethan glared at his father. “I am afraid I cannot do that. I explained as much to the Magistrate.”
Cedron exhaled. “Yes, your sister said this would be difficult. That is why she urged me to come. You have always been defiant.”
Ethan shot Abigail a look of betrayal. She dropped her gaze and despite the lack of emotion in her eyes, I knew she’d done so out of guilt.
“Now is not the time to test my patience,” Cedron continued, “or the generosity of the Magistrate. End it.”
“It is not my intention to be difficult or insubordinate. I am merely stating a fact. I cannot just let her go.”
Cedron rubbed his chin the way I’d seen Ethan do numerous times. “If that is true, then I would like to understand what is preventing you from accepting the only rational solution.”
A pause followed. Five pairs of eyes glowed eerily in the shadows from inside the hoods of the silver cloaks of the Magistrate. Only Abigail’s were a lusterless blue as she stared at her brother. Her divine face impassive, but the passing look between her and Ethan conveyed something more, something I couldn’t figure out. Then Ethan turned to me and his features softened, a small smile crossing his lips.
“It is simple. I love her.”
My breath caught in my throat. I bit my lip, holding back the tears pooling in my eyes. It was the first time one of us had said the word. Love. Love that swelled through my body like a wave, wanting to burst out.
Cedron let out a low laugh. “That is impossible.”
Ethan turned to face his father. “It is improbable, but not impossible. And in this case it is a verifiable fact. Nothing else can explain this intensity of emotion.”
“Nonsense,” his father said.
“You do not know how I wish that were true,” Ethan told his father. “There are times I wish I could leave her, times I have tried. But every time it is like a gravitational pull that draws me back to her.”
Another face emerged from the shadows of a silver cloak. A female, blonde and beautiful like Abigail, but with eyes as red as rubies. She stood up and bowed.
“Cedron, with your respect, I would like to say something.”
He gestured for her to speak with a nod of his head.
“We wish Ethan no ill, but we cannot condone this kind of relationship. The very notion is inconceivable.”
“Yes, Zillah, I agree with you. Ethan, do you see why we question your argument? I understand how deep human emotions run, and how enticing they can be. That glorified notion of love. But it goes against the very nature of our species. We have evolved beyond that.”
“This may call into question everything we thought we knew about ourselves,” Ethan argued. “But clearly, we are capable of evolvin
g as much as Earthlings are. There is no question in my mind that she has transformed me. How else could you explain this?”
In three strides, Ethan passed Aaron and came to stand next to me. Taking my hand, he laced our fingers together. Then he drew me close to his side and wrapped an arm around my waist. At that moment, every alien in the room gasped. I saw the shocked looks on their faces, heard them murmuring in a language I didn’t understand. Cedron looked at me, like I might recoil from Ethan’s touch or cry out in pain. But I leaned in closer to him.
“If I can learn to control the energy that would otherwise shock her, why cannot I learn to love her with the same intensity as an Earthling can?” Ethan’s gaze never dropped from his father.
“Interesting,” Cedron said. “Unfortunately, what you are talking about is not evolution. It is regression. Emotients may be the most intelligent life form in this galaxy, but they are irrational and volatile creatures. We surpassed that level eons ago.”
“If I may speak, Cedron.” Aaron approached and Cedron nodded his approval. “Even if Ethan is truly going through some kind of transformation,” from Aaron’s lips, cynicism coated the word, “it does not change the fact that this liaison of his is a threat to us, especially with the arrival of more ships.”
“The humans will not like it,” added the blond, red-eyed female, Zillah.
“Merely contemplating the notion is ludicrous,” said another cloaked figure. A male, from the sound of his voice.
Cedron turned to the five aliens sitting around the table.
“Is this the unanimous decision of the Magistrate?”
All except Abigail nodded. She sat very still. Her eyes blank, devoid of any emotion.
Cedron turned back to Ethan. “You have heard the Magistrate’s decision. I will ask you once again. Accept the compromise the Magistrate is offering you… that I am offering you.”
Ethan released me from his embrace, but held on to my hand. When he faced the Magistrate his face broadcasted his determination. “I cannot do that. There is nothing she can do to put us, or our mission, in danger. And as for the humans, with time, they will grow to trust us.”
“Why do you insist on defying me?” Cedron’s growing anger was reflected in his wintery, electric eyes.
I took a step forward, searching for my voice. “Si-sir.” My knees were as shaky as my voice.
Cedron looked at me as if I were the alien who’d landed on their planet. I swallowed my nerves, trying hard not to think about all the set of unearthly, stunned eyes watching me. Even Ethan glimpsed at me out of the corner of his eyes.
Sir? Sire? Your alien majesty? Oh, great and powerful Wizard of Oz? Shoot! What’s the appropriate title here?
“I- I don’t think Ethan is trying to defy you… or anyone else for that matter.” When no one shot electricity from their palm, I continued. “It’s just that neither of us can help the way we feel about each other. But like he said, we won’t let it interfere with your work or your mission. You have my word.”
Cedron’s eyes narrowed. I didn’t know if he was angry or amused, but I felt the little determination I had wavering. His lips widened in a menacing smile.
“And you are the young lady who is causing all this uproar. Intrepid, aren’t you?”
Funny. I didn’t feel intrepid—far from it. Not after seeing these aliens tear a car to pieces and bind Ethan in glowing manacles. And definitely not with Cedron peering down at me. I didn’t feel bold or brave, more like terrified beyond my wits.
I cleared my throat. “No, sir. I, uh…mean no disrespect. I’m just trying to explain—”
“There is no need to explain your lack of judgment. You have just illustrated my point about your kind perfectly. Even now, you are far too influenced by your emotions to act rationally. The problem is, young lady, that you seem to be turning my son into a senseless fool. He should have put a stop this before it ever began, and now, instead of listening to reason, he is behaving like a half-witted idiot. Now I will ask that you hold your tongue. What you think is of no consequence to me, Miss…”
“Skye.” Ethan’s voice was sharp. “Her name is Skye. And I ask that you treat her with respect. She has shown a great deal of courage tonight. Facing your brutes and you.”
“Bravery and stupidity sometimes go hand in hand, especially among her kind. Blinded by love, is that not what emotients say? If she had any sense at all, she would not find herself in this predicament in the first place.”
“This is my fault, not hers. I was the one who reached out to her, knowing it was unwise. I understand there will be repercussions and I am willing to face them.”
Cedron arched an eyebrow, a wicked smile coiling his lips. “Repercussions? I do not think you understand such things just yet.”
Ethan didn’t flinch from the threat. “I think I have a vague idea of what has been discussed. Just know before you sentence me that if you force me to leave, I will not go quietly, or alone. With more of us coming, the time might be ripe for a change in rulership.”
Cedron smoothed his chin with his fingers, his smile growing wider. “Mutiny? Is that what you are planning, Et-han? Well then, it is good I have removed the option of expelling you off the table, is it not?”
At this, Ethan’s poker face fell. He glanced at Abigail who hadn’t moved an inch.
“The expansion does not leave me with the option of reassigning you just now. And what kind of father would I be to condemn my own son to a horrid exile?” Cedron continued in a mocking tone. “So I am giving you a third option. One which I am confident you will accept far more readily.”
“No.” Ethan’s face grew ashen as he stared at Abigail. “No!”
“End it now.” Cedron’s voice reverberated around the chamber. “Or the girl dies. Right here, right now.”
Before the words had left Cedron’s mouth, Ethan stood in front of me, his arms stretched out, blocking me like a shield
Lightning flashed as Levi and Abel lunged toward Ethan. I ducked, preparing for the impact, but they never reached Ethan or me, because Ethan sent them flying across the room with his eyes. They hovered high just under the ceiling before dropping to the floor. Before I could turn, Kaleb rammed into Ethan, the collision sending sparks shooting out like fireworks, some of them landing close to my feet from the explosion. Their movements became too fast, the two disappeared in a giant electrical orb.
Something scorched my arm, like a hot branding iron. I turned to see Aaron’s glowing hand pumping volts of electricity straight into me. The painful shockwaves spread like rippling water—hot, thick liquid under my skin. I couldn’t move, paralyzed by the electric shock, my muscles contracting and convulsing.
I tried yanking away when I was catapulted through the air, ramming into the translucent wall of the spacecraft. Pain reverberated through my back and I sank to the floor. The burning on my arm faded, but my body felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it. Little spots of light danced in between the blackness in my eyes.
“Skye! Keep your eyes open. Do not black out. You cannot black out!”
Ethan’s face was blurry, but I could make out his shape, kneeling beside me and putting his warm hands on my face.
“Give up, Et-han. You are outnumbered. Even with your special talents, you cannot fight them all.”
“You cannot do this, Cedron.”
Cedron’s cruel laughter rang in my head. “Of course I can, son. I already did. The choice is yours. Let her go or watch her die. Kaleb!”
A deafening explosion caused me to curl into the fetal position. A boom followed by massive sparks of light flickered in my hazy vision. Kaleb and his thugs must have attacked Ethan again. I wanted to call his name, but all that would come out was a scream.
Fire assaulted my arm, as someone dragged me across the floor. The electrical currents intensified and an excruciating pain shot through my entire body. The burning stopped, but everything hurt and a piercing ache swelled in my chest. The cold, hard surfac
e of the floor soothed my raw, blistering body.
“Stop!” Ethan’s screams pierced the air. “She cannot take anymore. Her heart! One more shock and it is going to give out.”
“I will ask you one last time. What will it be? Lose her to life or lose her to death?”
Death… death… death…
Cedron’s voice echoed around the room. Or maybe it bounced around inside my head. I couldn’t see, the pain blinding me.
“Stop, Cedron. No more…no more…I—” I heard the defeat in Ethan’s voice.
Cedron’s response was lost over the commotion that erupted. A loud clang sounded, followed by indistinct shouts.
“Cedron, please.” One voice rose above all others. “It is imperative that I speak with you.” I recognized Naomi’s warm voice.
“Naain, my dear, I hold you in the highest regard, but this matter is not of your concern. The Magistrate has heard your testimony.”
“I understand and I apologize for my impertinence. But I ask that you graciously accord me a few minutes of your time.”
My vision began to clear. I tried sitting up, but pain throbbed through my insides. I turned my head toward Ethan on the other side of the chamber. His hands were bound behind his back, probably with those glowing green shackles again. Levi and Abel held him in place by the arms. They didn’t blindfold him this time; they wanted him to see me. He looked defeated. When our eyes met, his face twisted in agony.
“Speak,” Cedron commanded to Naomi.
“Killing this girl would be a grave mistake. I beg you to reconsider.”
“With all due respect, Cedron,” Kaleb interrupted. “We all know Naomi’s opinion on the matter. She has made it well known she is in support of this foolishness.”
Naomi shot him a glance and he actually shrunk back a little.
“I am not here to rally around Ethan. I came to caution against an action that would put us all in danger.” She paused, waiting for Cedron to accede.
“Go on.”