Sure, he had similar attributes to the MalJari but that’s where the commonalities ended. Other than his abilities, Ethan knew nothing of his enemies, besides their love of conquering people and planets. But was that enough to wage a war he was certain they would lose? He didn’t think so.
He wanted nothing more than to curl up next to Hunter and live out his days forgetting everything he had ever heard of the MalJari. They would grow old together and die, hopefully in each other’s arms. But then a thought nagged him.
Who was Hunter Grey? Why was his apartment bare? Where did he actually live? Ethan shook his head. He really didn’t want to know that. He let out a frustrated sigh. Why was everything so complicated?
Godrik walked into the living, followed by Saia and some other city leaders. Now Ethan was really starting to worry. Why were they here? What did they know?
Godrik stopped short of the dining room table and emptied his hands of the various objects he was holding, most notably, a map. He laid out the large piece of parchment, gently straightening the creases that had built up in the corners. The document was clearly older than anyone in the room and showed signs of its age. It was riddled with water marks and stains, small tears at the edges and a dull yellowing oxidation.
Ethan stared down at it and then back up at Godrik. “You think they’re in Kowend?” the boy asked. He glanced down once more and gaped open mouthed at the paper. It outlined the entire city of Kowend including all the entrances and buildings that were of any importance. There were dozens of buildings, all numbered, all seemingly important.
He couldn’t take it anymore. The very thought of Hunter in the hands of the MalJari was enough to make him want to throw up. He turned to Godrik and pushed him harshly. “Start talking because for some reason I feel like you had something to do with this!” Ethan couldn’t even pretend to hold back his feelings anymore. He was done trusting these adults. Hunter’s life was at stake; nothing else mattered, certainly not good manners.
“Ethan, I assure you that none of this was my doing,” the doctor pleaded. “Then how do you know where they are?” Ethan was surprised to find Edred asking the question. “Connor came to me yesterday and asked for a serum to help him sleep. I gave him a rather powerful one along with instructions on the correct dosage. I believe he used that serum on Hunter and took him to Kowend.”
Both Ethan and Edred stared at the doctor’s ridiculous explanation. When he was done, they sighed at each other disbelievingly. “You’re joking, right?” Edred asked, clearly amused by the story. Godrik shook his head. “Your computer system shows Connor as the last person in your apartment before you came home.
Ethan straightened at that. “What?” Godrik sighed. “I’m sorry Ethan. A city camera captured him carrying Hunter to the train station beneath the streets. The same one that goes to Kowend.”
Ethan was shaking. It wasn’t possible, it simply wasn’t… was it? How could Connor do that? More importantly why would he do that? What could he possibly gain by handing Hunter over to the MalJari? Then it hit Ethan like a ton of bricks.
“They know about me, don’t they? The MalJari?” Ethan asked. Godrik slowly nodded his head. “And they’re trying to use Hunter as bait? They want to start a war?” The doctor shook his head.
“More than likely they just want you. Maybe they want to talk to you?” Even Godrik didn’t believe his words as they came out. Edred snickered. “You’re unbelievable. After all the work we’ve done? You’re going to hand him over? Just like that?
Ethan intervened. “No one is handing me over!” He was beginning to lose his grip. Was this really happening? Was Hunter taken to the MalJari by Connor and now Ethan was the only hope of getting him back? Is this what it had come down to? Ethan, alone versus the MalJari?
He could hear Godrik, Saia and Edred arguing about what they wanted Ethan to do. What about what he wanted? Didn’t he get a say? He was visibly seething. Forget this, he thought. He reached for the map, snatched it angrily and turned to walk out. Godrik grabbed his shoulder but quickly let go when he saw the murderous expression on Ethan’s face. “Ethan wait-”
“No! I’m done waiting and I’m done being your little puppet! You can all sit here and keep arguing for all I care. I’m getting Hunter back with or without your help!” He stomped out of the apartment without a second glance. When he reached the elevator, he realized he wasn’t alone.
“I don’t need your help,” Ethan grumbled. “I know, but I can help you. Besides, I can’t leave Connor there,” Edred said sadly. Ethan was about to argue but he knew there was no use. Edred thought of Connor as a son and Ethan wouldn’t take that away from him. He made one thing clear though, if Connor stood in his way, Ethan would kill him. Edred understood but hoped it wouldn’t come to that. The older man was also confused as to why Connor would do this. It didn’t seem like something he would do. Certainly, it wouldn’t be his idea.
Someone had to have put Connor up to this and Edred had a feeling he knew who it was but decided to keep his mouth shut. Better he got proof first then he would make that person pay. They went back to Ethan’s apartment and studied the map. The boy figured if Hunter would be anywhere it would be the main building that Godrik had mentioned to him earlier.
According to the map, there were a few ways to get into the city but Ethan was done playing games. He opted for the main gate. Edred wasn’t sure but trusted the boy. “If it’s me they want then they won’t hurt me. Or at least they’ll let me in and take me to MalHalen before they hurt me,” Ethan reasoned.
Edred had to agree that more than likely Ethan was right. The MalJari knew about him and were using Hunter to get him to come to them. They would probably let him into the city and take him to MalHalen. “I’m going to get us some back up okay?” Edred said as he pulled up the video chat. Ethan nodded absentmindedly. Edred looked at the boy, watching as he rubbed his fingers on the chain around his neck. He appeared so young and Edred realized that was because he was young. At only sixteen years old, Ethan was willing to go into enemy territory to save someone he loved.
What’s more, he was so determined but the young boy let his fear show. It was obvious he had doubts but they would need to be pushed aside. Edred finished his call and pulled Ethan out of his thoughts. “Back up will meet us at the North building.” Ethan nodded again. He neatly folded up the map and gave it to Edred.
He was scared and it was beginning to fester. What was he thinking going into enemy territory with no weapons of any kind? At least he had Edred and the others but at this point it felt as if he would need to protect them and not the other way around. He shifted anxiously on his feet. Edred nudged him and gave him a reassuring smile. “You know, I’d go to war with you any day kid,” he said affectionately. Ethan gave him a small smile. Who would have thought that after everything they’ve been through, it would be Ethan partnering up with Edred? Love makes people do strange things.
Once they reached the ground floor, they were met with Godrik, Saia and the other city leaders. “There you are! Ethan listen, we can’t let you go through with this,” Saia said. He and Edred pushed past the group and onto the street, rolling their eyes in the process.
“Please Ethan, you’re too valuable!” Godrik shouted. That made Ethan pause. He turned and stalked back to the doctor, punching him squarely on the jaw. Edred was very pleased.
“I’m valuable and Hunter’s not? Is that it?” he yelled. Ethan crouched down and grabbed Godrik by the lapels of his shirt. “I’m going to say this only once so listen to me.” He stared at Godrik when he spoke but the other leaders knew he was talking to them as well. “I am no longer under your control. You’ve had your fun with me and now I get to do whatever I want. Right now, I want to save my boyfriend from murderous blood thirsty aliens. Is that okay with you?”
No one dared speak. He locked eyes with each leader to make sure his words were understood. Then he straightened back up and trekked up the train platform. Outside the North buil
ding, a group of five men were waiting for them. It wasn’t a lot but Ethan was happy with any help at this point. They exchanged brief greetings and entered the building
Once inside they strolled past a security guard who quickly scrambled to stop them. “You’re not supposed to be here at this hour,” he said as he came closer. They didn’t stop walking, instead Ethan simply pushed the air around the man, sending him flying a few feet back, effectively landing on his rear end.
The guard gaped at Ethan and grabbed for his ear piece. Ethan knew they needed to hurry. They quickly reached the elevators but not before they turned and saw more security guards coming toward them. Ethan sighed and glanced at Edred. “Hold the elevator,” he said as he took a few steps back.
Edred and the others stood there and watched Ethan work. The boy closed his eyes and summoned his strength, feeling it vibrate through him almost immediately. He opened his eyes right before he was attacked. He anticipated the blow, blocked it and countered with a punch of his own. The guard was sent scrambling several yards. He grabbed another by the throat with his left hand while his right pushed a gust of air at a different guard running toward him.
That man was slammed into a wall while the guard in front of him was turning blue from lack of oxygen. “This isn’t personal,” Ethan said before letting the man go. The other guards stopped short of the elevator and watched him with bated breath. By now Ethan’s eyes were glowing a brilliant shade of blue causing the spectators to gawk at him.
He put his hands up in surrender as the elevator doors opened. He followed the others inside and caught the older man’s smirk. “What?” Ethan asked. “Nothing,” Edred shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Someone taught you well,” he said finally. Ethan rolled his eyes but smiled. “Who’s protecting who?” one man snickered.
They reached the 33rd floor and raced toward the level 1 access corridor. Ethan could hear footsteps behind them. They were being chased by more guards but they couldn’t think about that right now. Edred swiped his wrist, opening door after door until finally they reached the single door elevator. They climbed inside but Edred faltered realizing they had no way of getting to their intended floor.
“What?” Ethan asked, his breathing labored. Edred shook his head with both hands on his knees for support. “We need a retinal scan to get to the floor that the train station is on and mine isn’t working,” he said breathlessly. Security must have shut off employee access. Then they saw a cluster of guards running toward them down the long hall. Edred swore under his breath. The elevator door wouldn’t close without a chosen floor. “We can hold them off,” one of the men said.
Edred shook his head. The guards were getting closer as Ethan thought of what to do and then it hit him. He summoned his abilities, making sure his eyes were glowing brightly, and leaned into the retinal scanner. The laser moved up and down his eye, accepting the scan and closing the doors right as the men were about to reach it.
“What? How did you…?” Edred was at a loss. Ethan glimpsed at him with his still glowing eyes and shrugged. “It was a hunch.” The elevator descended fast, stopping with a stiff jerk on UG6. Ethan had never been on this floor before. When the doors opened, they searched both directions before getting out. They were on edge, anticipating another guard attack. They cautiously crept out of the elevator. “This way,” one of the men said. His name was Declan and he clearly knew where he was going. They passed hall after hall, door after door. “Are you sure you know where you’re going?” another man asked. Then they heard the sound of a train screeching to a halt.
Declan smirked at them. He led them to a wide double door and carefully opened it. Usually there were guards near the trains but he hoped they had been called upstairs. He searched around and spotted two guards in a far-off corner talking. Quietly, they entered the underground station, trying not to draw any attention. That is until they heard a group of guards shouting at them from inside the building. They stood like statues, realizing they had been found out. The other two guards came running in their direction as well.
Ethan realized he needed to diffuse the situation. They were about a hundred yards from the train itself as it sat dormant on the tracks. “Stand behind me,” Ethan ordered. The men obeyed and stood against a wall with Ethan in front. His abilities were still flowing through him which made the current task much easier. He could hear the frantic fumbling footsteps of the guards as they came from either direction.
Ethan crossed his arms across his chest and pooled his energy there. He fed it and controlled it until it was ready to explode. As soon as all the guards were close enough, he pushed his arms out and let the energy erupt in a shock wave that reached the expanse of his arms all the way to the wall on the side of the building, leveling the guards in one strike. He was breathing heavily but was relatively able bodied. He had never attempted anything like that before but he knew his body could take it.
The men regarded him in amazement but any celebration would have to wait. They boarded the train with Declan heading to the front. He was familiar with the trains and knew how to commandeer one. The doors closed and soon they began to move. As Ethan squinted out the window, he was thankful to see the guards slowly standing up. He was desperate to get Hunter back but it wasn’t his intention to kill anyone.
They rode for what felt like hours, swaying back and forth rhythmically. It was almost comforting as he laid back in one of the seats but then Ethan would remember the reason they were there in the first place and his heart would turn melancholy again.
He was hoping that Hunter was still unharmed. He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to him. He was strong and fast and smart and most importantly, he was determined. He was going to rescue Hunter, or he was going to die trying.
He closed his eyes and when he opened them he saw Hunter standing before him. Ethan instinctively smiled but faltered when he saw that Hunter was chained to a table. It was like before only this time it was MalHalen who glared right at him.
“Choose Ethan, your boyfriend or the world.” The alien sneered at him as he tightened his grip on Hunters head. He could see the boy crying, pleading for the torment to end. Ethan glanced at him and then at MalHalen.
“Choose!” he yelled. Ethan didn’t know what to do. He loved Hunter more than anything but was his life worth more than all the citizens on earth? If he chose Hunter, then what? What would they do? Where would they go? Ethan knew what he needed to do.
“I’m sorry Hunter,” he cried. MalHalen laughed at him. “You stupid boy! Did you really think I would spare the humans?” His vicious laugh continued as he crushed Hunters skull like a grape. Ethan screamed but no sound came out. He tried to move but he realized he too was chained up. “You need to learn Ethan, I always win,” MalHalen snarled.
Suddenly Ethan woke with a scream, startling the others in the train car. He didn’t even realize he had fallen asleep. He searched his face and found tear tracks running down his cheeks. Edred approached him cautiously. “Are you okay?” he asked softly. Ethan swallowed and nodded his head. He glanced over to the other men who quickly averted their eyes. He wiped at his face and stood up.
He saw them working on something, a plan perhaps? Ethan shook his head, wanting to rid himself of the empty feeling that accompanied his tortured dreams. “What are you doing?” he asked. Edred turned toward him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I have some distressing news.” Ethan’s eyes widen. “Is it about Hunter?” he asked in a panic.
Edred shook his head. “It’s about both of them.” The pair walked over to the other men who were staring at a small computer screen. It was showing video footage of someone carrying Hunter throughout the North building but it wasn’t Connor. “How is it possible that he got past security or onto the single elevator?” Ethan asked. Edred frowned. “I wondered the same thing, so I kept watching the security footage and found this,” he said motioning to the screen.
It showed Tyler carrying Hunter, get
ting into the single door elevator and waiting. Then someone else joined them. “Is that…?” Ethan couldn’t believe it. He stared at Edred for confirmation and then back at the screen. He watched as Preston, who was carrying Connor, gave the retinal scan that got them to the train. Ethan was at a loss. He could believe a lot of things but not a betrayal like this. Not from Preston.
“I knew Connor would never do anything like this. Someone else had to be involved. Now we know who that person was,” Edred bit out. Ethan could see the anger radiating off the older man like steam.
“Preston better hope that Connor is okay, otherwise I’ll be the one he’ll need to worry about.”
The rest of the train ride was spent in silence. Both Ethan and Edred sat on opposite chairs, contemplating Preston’s treachery. Ethan ran every interaction that he had ever had with him in his mind. He was searching for some sort of clue, something that would point to such deception but he came up short. He could tell from Edred’s disdain that he too was at a loss. Did the Commissioner know about this?
“Help me get Hunter back alive and when we do, I promise I’ll help you deal with Preston.” Ethan made the statement with pure venom in his voice. He was done being the naive child that believed everything adults said to him. He was done being manipulated into doing things that served other’s interests and not his own. And most importantly he was done being afraid. He was ready to be the one that was feared.
He glanced up as the train came to a rough stop. He stared out the window at the sight before him. It was more breathtaking than he ever imagined. “We’re here,” Declan said.
CHAPTER 16
I t was even more amazing in person. Ethan glanced up and studied the massive structures in the distance, gaping at the sheer size of them. Brilliant white buildings with perfectly smooth stone and flattering curves lined the horizon, temporarily blocking the sun.
Awaken_Ethan Drake Chronicles Page 18