Amberlee wanted to interrupt, to tell her no. She wanted to remind Venus she was just a kid and that she was afraid.
Venus caught hold of her frightened eyes and held them. “You’re all the citizens of this country have left. You are their hope, Amberlee. They need you to come to them, comfort them. They are your people now, your family. You’ve got to do this.”
Amberlee pushed down her panic. Venus was right. And becoming queen had been all she ever wanted. “Fine.” She clasped her hands into fists at her sides and met the faces of those in the room. “Shouldn’t we have a coronation first?”
Sadraden woke Michael just as they reached the outer atmosphere of the Leviathans’ home planet. From Space it reminded him of a cat’s eye. The center was black and shaped like a diamond, while the orb around it glowed yellow.
“It’s strangely beautiful,” he said, leaning forward.
The center is where most of the Leviathans dwell, and the outer edges contain a sea of liquid gold.
“Holy cret.”
Exactly. Sadraden seemed to hesitate.
“What is it?” He patted her side in an effort to soothe her.
We need a plan. The ruler resides in the center of the blackness. It is surrounded by thousands of Leviathans. As soon as we enter the atmosphere they’ll be able to sense us. Especially you. She roared. I understand Venus’s reason for sending you, but the Leviathans’ first purpose was seeking out and killing Ferethers. Your kind. They’ll sense you and be able to taste you immediately.
“Not exactly my kind,” he began, thinking through some of what Ramien had said. “I’m half Kelvieri too.”
You posses the power.
A completely new creature.
Invisible.
Interesting. Can I do that? Michael asked the sisters.
It’s within you.
As foretold in the Sistine Grimp.
Yes.
Michael sat up. “Apparently I can become invisible to them,” he told Sadraden.
Really? she asked.
“According to the Sisters, yes.”
Well that changes everything. They won’t recognize my scent, and if I can keep out of their sights we may have a chance of sneaking in, taking the blood, and sneaking out.
“I guess we better do this,” Michael said, trying to prolong the inevitable, which was finding and then obtaining the blood of the leader.
Sadraden snorted. The Leviathans have one large eye. If they turn at just the right time, yes, they’ll see me, but I’m much faster than they are. It isn’t the seeing me I worry about. They also have long tentacles covered in porous claws. They allow the Leviathans to taste the air. While their bodies are big and bumbling, their tentacles are not .
“Okay, so I’ll make myself invisible to them… somehow. Then you’ll use your mad flying skills and we’ll swoop in there, find the leader, take his blood, and fly out. Easy, right?”
Sadraden roared.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so either.”
Sadraden had stopped flying forward. She was in a holding pattern, her wings beating quietly.
Michael decided to ask the question that had him the most worried. “How am I supposed to take some of the leader’s blood without getting killed?” And the next most important question: “How do I get the blood into the Illeyse?”
My child, you’re going to have to figure that out. I’m sorry I don’t have the answer.
Any ideas? Michael asked the Sisters.
The Kelvieri in you will allow you to get close.
The Ferether in you can subdue his soul.
Strike .
The words of the Sisters inspired him. At the mention of tasting the Leviathan’s soul, his heartbeat increased. It’d been a while, and he suddenly craved the Leviathan leader’s essence.
Can you tell me how to make myself invisible to them? Michael asked the Sisters.
Think about what you want.
It’s simple.
Believe .
Michael snorted. Fine. He shut his eyes and imagined himself invisible, hidden from his enemies’ eyes. He imagined he had no scent, that he was nothing but an apparition. As he thought, he felt his body change; it no longer held the form of a corporeal being. He glanced down. His body was gone, only an outline or an impression, like a black shade, remained.
The true form of a Ferether.
A being without a soul.
Shadow .
Sadraden roared. You’ve changed.
“Yes, I most definitely have.” Michael hoped he could change back. He felt unattached, as though a brisk wind would blow him apart, scattering him to pieces.
“Let’s go. You find me the leader. I know what to do.”
In answer, Sadraden pressed her wings against her back. They shot like a rocket toward the planet. Michael tried to hang on, but it wasn’t necessary. He stayed with her effortlessly.
They passed through the atmosphere. Leviathans were everywhere.
He’d gone on a fieldtrip to an aquarium in junior high where he’d seen a tank filled with jellyfish. That’s what the Leviathans reminded him of: jellyfish in a tank. Only these creatures had one giant eye and an even more giant mouth filled with pointed teeth.
Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. Stay invisible.
Michael understood. The creatures were large and frightening, and they reeked. The whole planet stank like vomit. If he’d still had his human form the smell would’ve made him gag.
There didn’t’ seem to be any kind of structures. It was just an aquarium of darkness and liquid gold filled with Leviathans that made Sadraden look small and Michael feel even smaller.
The Leviathan closest to them swiped a tentacle at them, but Sadraden spun out of the way.
“How will we know which one is the leader? They all look the same.”
I know . Another Leviathan’s tentacle slashed at the air. Sadraden barely avoided it. She kept flying, getting closer to the ground. Michael searched the dark landscape. Their leader had to be around somewhere.
Dervinias used Britorent to follow after the ambulance. He knew he needed to get back to Kelari, but first he had to make sure Chev was all right—and that she didn’t remember him.
Even though he wanted her to. Badly.
He’d been alone for most of his life but, now that Chev was gone, for the first time he felt lonely.
Chev’s parents checked her in.
Dervinias hung out in the waiting room and listened as the doctor talked to Chev’s mom and dad. He ordered tests and then they wheeled her away. It took some maneuvering, but he found her room and checked in on her.
Chev was hooked up to an IV. He ran a hand through her hair. It was soft and smooth and extremely beautiful.
“Chev. Can you hear me?”
She moaned. Her eyelashes fluttered, but they didn’t open.
“It’s okay.” He pushed hair off her forehead. “Just rest. Get better. When the time is right I’ll come back for you.”
“My baby,” she murmured.
Dervinias choked on his words. Tears welled up in his eyes. “Yes, she’s alive.”
“Harmony,” she whispered.
“Is that what you wanted to name her? I like it.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Hold on to her. I’m going to find her and the three of us will be a family. I promise.” He left, climbing out the window, and used Britorent to get back to the Transport.
He opened the door. The cockpit lit up. “Return flight in T minus five minutes and counting.” Dervinias moved to get in, but froze. He’d been so busy thinking about Chev he’d allowed himself to be snuck up on. Not good. It wasn’t that they could hurt him, he was indestructible on Earth . . .
“Hello Dervinias. It’s been a while.”
“I don’t have time for you right now.” He climbed into the Transport, removed the Ostwallow sword, pressed the recorder button, and finally looked at Charles, the newest leader of the A.L.T. unit for the US government.
/> Physically the man wasn’t much to look at. He was barely five foot five and didn’t weigh more than one-hundred-forty pounds—even that was generous. His blond hair was thinning and his face was pockmarked. He wore the standard issue suit and tie, but somehow he still managed to look like he’d slept in it. Maybe he had. A.L.T. was his life.
Dervinias also knew his appearance was a charade, a farce used to allow his enemy to think he was careless, stupid, and untrained. Dervinias had seen first hand the cruel way Charles proved them wrong.
“Make time.”
Dervinias sighed. “What do you want?”
Charles took a solitary step forward. “I’ve read your file. I know what you are.”
Dervinias choked back a smile. Charles thought he could threaten him. Perhaps he wasn’t done killing after all. “What am I, Charlie?”
Another step forward. “It’s Charles, if you please, and I know you’re an alien.”
“Oooh, what gave me away? Was it the spaceship?” He couldn’t hide the smirk this time.
Charles returned his grin, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “You’re mine,” he hissed.
Using Britorent he came at Charles, lifting him off the ground by his wimpy little neck. “I think it’s time you learned your place. Right before I kill—”
A shot rang out.
Dervinias looked down and saw that Charles held a gun. Smoke and the smell of gunpowder tickled his nose. He laughed. “Your measly weapons are nothing.” As he spoke he realized pain was radiating from his stomach. It was dull, but there nonetheless. He glanced down again. His shirt was wet.
That’s strange , he thought, letting go of Charles. The tiny man suddenly weighed a ton.
Dervinias touched his shirt and brought his fingers to his nose. There was a sweet scent. Shocked, he understood it was his Kelvieri’s blood. “Impossible,” he whispered, looking up. His vision wavered and Charles seemed to fade in and out. “How?” he asked, realizing that the human had somehow caught him by surprise. He’d found some kind of technology capable of wounding Kelvieri. Unable to stop himself, he fell forward. His body was too heavy.
“Your father, King Antyon, provided us with a poison capable of rendering you helpless.”
Anger burned. He should’ve expected something like this from his father. How could he have been so stupid?
“You are a peace offering,” Charles continued, “though we don’t make peace with alien species capable of harming us.”
“Your… First… Mistake…” He took a deep breath and realized the air was choking him. So this is what Venus experienced, he thought randomly. “First to go,” he added.
“Oh, don’t worry. King Antyon will get what’s coming to him.”
Dervinias tried to shake his head. Humans could be so arrogant sometimes. No, most of the time. For the most part their arrogance didn’t bother him. He knew how to use it to his advantage, but now that Chev and his daughter were here on Earth he wanted to protect them, and that meant he’d give the humans information to help them defeat his father—if they’d let him, anyway. It felt as though he would suffocate before he got the chance. “Stupid.” Dervinias fell face first to the ground. The dirt was dry against his skin. Pebbles pressed against his cheek. His body crushed his hands. He heard Charles kneel next to him and press something into his neck.
“The target is secure.”
Dervinias knew his mind was fading. He’d be unconscious in seconds. Forcing his eyes open, he watched a team of agents stalk forward. Their movements seemed silly and he wanted to laugh, but couldn’t.
“Get him into the van. Abe is waiting.”
The Chans continued to debate how best to handle Amberlee’s coronation. They knew it needed to happen. Following protocol, keeping at least the appearance of order, was in the best interest of Alayeah.
Venus stayed along the edges, trying to blend in, to let the leaders of Alayeah do what needed to be done. She also kept an eye on Amberlee. Venus knew the child was extra sensitive and she worried that her guilt over what had happened to her mom and dad affected her even more than she let on.
She wished she could take away her pain, help her understand that she wasn’t completely to blame. But it wasn’t something Venus could make her feel. Amberlee needed to arrive at the conclusion on her own.
A Formytian Venus knew as Ander rushed into the room. He was tall and thin, and his Ostwallow sword was strapped to his back. He paused a moment, searching. When his gaze landed on Venus, he bowed.
“I have news.”
Venus stood straighter. “Come and tell me.” She noticed Zaren began move in her direction and motioned for him to stay put.
“It’s about Dervinias,” Ander began.
That set her on edge. “What is it?”
He pressed a fisted hand over his heart. “His Transport returned a few minutes ago, but Dervinias wasn’t inside. We searched the cockpit and discovered this.” He handed her a clear strip that was the Transport’s recording device. “We believe Dervinias activated this.”
Venus took the strip and pressed it against her forehead. She listened in awe. When it was over, she pulled it off and crushed it. “Who else knows about this?”
“Only myself and Wilhelm.”
Venus placed a hand on his shoulder. “Tell no one what you discovered. Can I count on you to do that?”
“Yes, Goddess.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “And please bring Wilhelm to me.”
“Right away.” The Formytian quickly left.
Venus would need to get things in order. “Modna, is the convoy prepared?”
“Almost. It should be ready soon.”
Venus hid her irritation. Modna was a good woman, but she was also cocky. Her innermost thoughts included her belief that she should be the next queen. All of the Chans thought anyone but Amberlee would be better suited. That thinking needed to change. “May I speak with you privately a moment?”
Modna was suddenly terrified. She seemed to be looking for an excuse to say no, but there wasn’t one. “Of course,” she said, her voice shaky.
“Excellent.” Venus turned and walked from the room while Modna reluctantly followed.
Once she was in the hall, Venus opened the door to the king’s study and went inside. The room was deathly quiet and a thin layer of dust covered everything. It was obvious no one had been in here for some time, but it still smelled of the king, like old books.
When Modna was inside, Venus closed the door. Modna seemed to shrink before her. “I know you believe Amberlee isn’t ready to be queen. And you’re right. She isn’t, but it is her right. Becoming queen is her destiny.” She paused, waiting for Modna to take in all she’d just said.
The Chan leader nodded. “I-I know,” she began.
“You may know, but you don’t agree,” Venus interrupted, upset that the Alayeahian leader thought she could deceive her. She crossed her arms and waited for the other woman’s response.
Modna started to sweat. “I’m sure you can understand. Amberlee is a spoiled child. She wasn’t taught how to lead. And she’s a traitor. It was because of her the king and queen, her own parents—your parents—were slaughtered. How can that be forgiven? How can you think the people will accept her as their queen?”
“I understand, and your accusations are valid.” Venus uncrossed her arms. “But I believe that will make her a more empathetic and personable leader.” She stepped closer to Modna. “Now I need you to understand what Amberlee went through. I want to show you something. You need to see what I know Amberlee is capable of.”
Modna swallowed, her knees quaking. “I guess,” she said, her voice quivering.
Venus reached out and touched the woman’s eyes, forcing them to close. The Chan was nervous, worried Venus intended to cause her harm “It won’t hurt.”
Modna nodded and her body relaxed, but only slightly.
Venus allowed the information she needed Modna to see to flow from her and into the wom
an. She let her see what Amberlee’s future as Queen would hold. Of course, what she showed was the absolute best future. There were always variables, but this was also the most likely future if they survived the war against King Antyon and the Leviathans. The information would also give Modna hope.
After several minutes, Venus stepped back. When Modna opened her eyes, Venus said, “You see?”
Modna’s mouth fell open. “Was that real? That’s what the future will look like?”
“Nothing is set in stone, but that is one possible future. It won’t happen, though, if you don’t grant your support to Amberlee. She needs you, needs your expertise. A lot of why she’ll be so successful is because of the things you’ll teach her.” Venus gave her a kindly smile.
Modna softened. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“You’ll help her then?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. I’ll need you to start now because there’s something I must take care of. You must lead and help Amberlee lead. First and foremost, ensure she’s officially queen. Will you do that?”
“Goddess, yes. Whatever you need.” Modna grabbed Venus’s hand, bowed over it, and kissed it. The gesture made Venus uncomfortable, but she knew Modna was now an ally.
“Thank you. Go now. I’ll return as soon as I can.”
Modna bowed again and walked from the room.
Venus took a deep breath. “Ander and Wilhelm, please enter.”
They walked in, their eyes on the floor in front of them. “Goddess,” Wilhelm said while Ander stood beside him.
There was no time for pleasantries. She needed to hurry. Placing a hand on Ander and Wilhelm, she spoke the words that would erase the memory of the recording device and replaced their memories with those she created—that Dervinias and Venus were on a mission to serve Kelari. She placed fake visions and pretended conversations that would convince them without a doubt that their memories were true.
Venus left them in the room, still in a slight trance. She needed a few seconds alone, just long enough to use her power to send herself to Earth.
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