Part of her was nervous about going back even though Transports were no longer a necessity for her and Earth’s atmosphere would no longer kill her. This time her trip to Earth would be different.
The last time she was there Abe had tortured her. She still remembered the incredible pain, and the suffering still weighed upon her soul. He’d hurt her, not just physically but also emotionally.
There wasn’t a choice, though. She had to go. No one else could save Dervinias. And he deserved to be saved, if for no other reason than so he could spend the rest of eternity atoning for the murders he’d committed.
Sadraden twirled and rolled. It seemed as though the whole world had turned into poisonous tentacles. The closer they got to the ground, the thicker the tentacles got until Michael couldn’t see the bulbous bodies of the Leviathan anymore, only their long arms. Venom excreted from their claws like golden rain. Avoiding both was nearly impossible, but somehow Sadraden managed.
“Can you see anything that would make us believe we’re getting closer to the leader?” Michael asked.
Before Sadraden could answer, the sea of Leviathan tentacles parted. Hovering in the center of what looked like a giant crater of golden lava was a single Leviathan.
Michael immediately knew it was the leader.
It was at least twice the size of the Leviathans above and its giant tentacles swirled around it, almost as though it were dancing. They moved back and forth like the ripples in a current. Its giant yellow eye was fixed on Sadraden and Michael. Watching. Waiting.
A loud screeching noise pummeled Michael’s ears. He growled. He knew Sadraden was feeling it because she roared and shook her head.
This is it , Michael thought, fighting to stay with Sadraden. The irrihunter seemed to slow and her wings stopped beating.
They were falling, falling, falling.
The Leviathan opened its incredibly large mouth, filling up the giant crater. It was like a cave, black and seemingly endless.
Michael thought of Venus, of all he wanted to do with her. He thought about their kiss in his bedroom, the heat and desire he’d experienced. He remembered the way they’d talked while in prison at A.L.T., the way she’d teased him and told him stories of the Trycarciuss and Ith and Aetha. His life had just started and he didn’t want it to end.
Use your power, Michael.
You are Kelvieri and Ferether.
Different. Stronger. New .
Their voices inside his mind struck him like a slap in the face and he shook himself out of the paralyzing despair he’d been feeling.
Michael and Sadraden were close.
His first thought was to transfer the Illeyse to his own neck and save the irrihunter. Venus had just gotten her back; he didn’t want her to lose her favorite animal once again.
Hurry.
Hurry.
Hurry.
The Universe seemed to open inside his mind. He saw the Illeyse transfer to his own neck, witnessed the path from this planet back to Kelari, and he wished he could send Sadraden back—all in a fraction of a second.
Michael imagined her making her way through the Leviathans and along the passageway in space until the irrihunter came to rest in safe spot on Kelari.
Abruptly Sadraden was gone.
There was applause in his mind. The Sistine Sisters were cheering.
More powerful than the Leviathan.
Stronger than any being.
Sadraden is safe.
Michael did feel stronger. Different.
He was darkness and light. Good and evil.
He knew what he needed to do. Ramien had shifted into other creatures. Michael could do the same. He could become a Leviathan.
“Cret!” He immediately pictured himself changing. His body became heavy, strong, yet liquid and supple. And he was a Leviathan.
The Leviathan part of his brain wanted to adjust to his new body, but he forced it away and focused on stopping before he entered the leader’s mouth. Its mouth closed and its giant yellow eye studied him. Tentacles reached out to grab Michael. He used his own to fight the leader off.
But he wasn’t accustomed to his new body yet. The creature popped out of the crater and swallowed Michael whole.
Darkness engulfed him. Tiny tentacles inside the Leviathan began to infuse him with acid so that Michael’s body would be broken down for digestion. He knew it was happening, but the acid wasn’t working.
What are you? Michael heard the Leviathan’s question inside his mind.
I am Michael , he responded easily, the Leviathan part of him understanding exactly how to speak.
You are something other, a creature similar to those I’ve killed but also different. The leader readjusted, obviously uncomfortable with him inside. What do you want?
I need your blood. Michael decided to go with the truth.
Why? What use is it to you?
There is a Kelvieri known as King Antyon that has taken some of your kind and genetically altered them. They’ve been enslaved. King Antyon intends to use them to kill the inhabitants of his world.
The Leviathan leader growled. I know of this King Antyon. He stole from me. We may have originally been bred for killing, but here on our planet we are peaceful creatures. We just wish to be left alone.
The leader spit Michael out. He felt slimy, but was otherwise unharmed.
I see you are wearing the Illeyse . The leader shifted its eye so that it faced Michael.
It surprised Michael that the Leviathan knew what the Illeyse was. Yes, I intend to use it to rid Kelari of those Leviathans that King Antyon has altered.
The leader gnashed its teeth.
I know what it is and why it was created. If I thought I could take it from you, I would. The leader’s tentacles wrapped around its body. It burdens me that more of my citizens will die at the hand of other creatures.
Michael moved himself away. He wasn’t sure of the leader’s intentions.
The leader took one of his tentacles and sliced into his own body. A gooey green-yellow liquid oozed from the self-inflicted wound. Take it, the leader said.
Michael moved forward and, using one of his tentacles, took the Illeyse from around his neck and pressed it against the leader’s wound. The Illeyse opened and some of the blood poured in. As soon as the blood touched the bottom, the clear gem changed to a sunshine yellow and sealed shut.
Thank you , Michael said, moving back.
The leader settled back in its crater. Now go, he commanded.
Michael wasn’t going to argue. He turned, focusing on the hovering Leviathans. There were hundreds of thousands of them. If Michael hadn’t known they had the power to kill with just a touch of their poison he would’ve thought they were peaceful creatures. They floated into one another and wrapped tentacles around each other, as though hugging.
Michael meandered, avoiding the touch of as many as he could. Those he did touch gave him a sense of what they were, like an introduction.
He didn’t stop or wait to give them any information, but continued on. When he reached the planet’s atmosphere, he changed into his Ferether shadow.
You did it, Michael.
We knew you could.
Success .
Michael snickered. Yes, but somehow I feel that was the easiest part of my quest. Now I’m supposed to get the blood of the fallen. If that’s Ramien, how am I going to get the blood of someone who’s dead and gone?
We may have an answer.
We now understand.
Another.
Modna had returned to the war room without Venus. The Chan leader explained that Venus had to handle something urgent and would be gone a little while, but that they should coronate Amberlee immediately.
The other Chans hadn’t been nearly as enthusiastic, but Modna promised to be Amberlee’s teacher and guide her as ruler of the land.
Amberlee agreed, knowing she needed someone. She was also nervous. It was her right, she knew, but she also knew she hadn’t been pre
pared the way Venus had. There hadn’t been classes with the Chans or a private tutor. While Venus had learned the role of queen Amberlee had lived freely, without any guidance from her parents. She’d spent time with friends and boys. She’d fallen in love.
She looked at Palmo. It hadn’t mattered to them that Venus had been promised to him. Looking back she realized her parents had known of her infatuation. They hadn’t cared, and she now realized why. They knew Venus would never be queen. They’d probably known that one day Amberlee would take her rightful place as ruler of Alayeah. The feelings between Palmo and Amberlee were probably exactly what her parents wanted.
She brushed some hair off Palmo’s face. He seemed surprised, then recovered and smiled, but immediately turned back to the table showing Alayeah’s plans.
For the briefest moment she feared him seeing their carefully laid plans. He could tell his father and betray her and her people.
But he wouldn’t do that , she thought. He loved her as much as she loved him. And he did love her…didn’t he?
She carefully studied his handsome face. He’d been extra quiet since his body was returned to his soul and his attitude had been cooler, distant. He still looked like the Palmo she loved, but he seemed different.
“I think that’s a great idea,” he said over the Chans’ discussion of Amberlee becoming queen.
For some reason his agreement seemed to quiet the Chans. Modna faced Palmo. “What if the two of you were married?” Her brown eyes twinkled.
Amberlee knew she was ready, but it was against tradition. Normally they needed to be at least sixteen and receive their Kelvieri’s boots before a marriage took place.
She and Palmo had talked about it, though. Amberlee glanced at him. His eyes seemed to have glazed over. Perhaps he wasn’t as ready as he’d led her to believe.
“I want my marriage to be a celebration. One filled with the people of Alayeah.”
Modna waved a dismissive hand. “It was just a thought.”
“Usually a crown is made for the future ruler. We don’t even know where the king and queen’s crowns are,” one of the Chans said haughtily.
Amberlee knew some of the Chans felt she’d betrayed Alayeah and because of that, they believed a new family should rule. She could understand their thoughts and wished Venus were here. She would know how to lay their fears to rest. Venus had always been good at talking to the Chans and those in authority, way better than Amberlee ever had been.
Right now they were looking at her, waiting for her to say something and prove to them that she deserved to be a queen. She swallowed. A thought to run away struck her but, if she left, that would leave Alayeah even more broken.
She opened her mouth. Paused. Then spoke. “I know many of you believe I shouldn’t be queen. I betrayed my parents, Alayeah, and all of its citizens.” Several murmurs of agreement came from the Chans. “I can’t take back what I did. It was terrible of me and I acted like a spoiled brat. I believed the words of the King of Canaru because I was jealous of my sister and felt betrayed by my parents. I was easily converted by the Order of Eternal Fire.”
“My thoughts exactly,” someone in the back said.
Amberlee tried to look over their heads and see who had spoken, but no one stood out to her. She continued. “I’ve made mistakes. Perhaps some of you think they’re too big for me to properly apologize for them…” Palmo stiffened beside her, causing her to pause. She didn’t look his way, but got the feeling he didn’t agree with the way her speech was going. Probably he believed those under him should just accept what he said as law. He certainly spoke to those of a lesser station as though he were better.
But it was just the way he was raised. He couldn’t help it. She, on the other hand, had been treated like a second-class citizen. Venus had been the golden child while she’d been brushed aside and raised by servants. She realized it didn’t matter that her parents said they loved her. They’d never shown her any love. All of their attention had been on Venus.
Because of that, Amberlee understood what it meant to have your thoughts and beliefs trampled on. As Queen she wouldn’t make the mistakes her parents made, and the Chans needed to know that.
“I stand before you a changed person. I know what I did was wrong, but I still have much to offer. I know how King Antyon thinks. I can help counteract any injustice he tries to inflict upon these people. My people.” She sighed. “That’s how I feel. Alayeah is my land, and the people within its borders are my people. I will fight for them to my last breath. I will do whatever it takes to show the people that I am their servant. I will make you proud, and especially my parents. I promise.” Amberlee straightened her back, waiting for the barrage of anger she was sure would come her way.
Before anyone else could speak, Modna stepped beside Amberlee. “Our goddess, Venus, has shown me what this child…” she cleared her throat and continued, “what Amberlee will accomplish as Queen of Alayeah. She is the true ruler. There isn’t a single person in all of Kelari who would be better suited for this position.”
Amberlee was shocked at the praise. What had Venus shown her? What did Venus know? Modna had always treated Amberlee as little more than a servant, so the words coming from her mouth both shocked and moved her.
“Thank you, Modna,” Amberlee whispered.
Modna placed her hands on Amberlee’s shoulders. She was several inches taller than Amberlee and the movements made her feel small. “I speak the truth. If Venus hadn’t shown me what you’re capable of, I never would’ve believed it. But know this, I’ve seen the potential in you, so I will expect a great deal more than you may think possible.”
Amberlee felt her epsis race. “I understand.”
“This isn’t open for debate,” Modna said to the Chans. “We will coronate her immediately so that it is the Queen of Alayeah who goes into the tunnels to save her people.” She shot the group with a fierce glare.
There were more murmurings.
Modna huffed. “Let’s put it to a vote.”
“Agreed,” one of the Chans said.
“All in favor of Amberlee becoming queen raise your hand.” There was silence. “I would remind you that it is our goddess, Venus, who has sanctioned this. She knows what Alayeah will become because of Amberlee and she showed that future to me. It would be in your best interest to vote in the affirmative.” At those words nearly every hand went up.
Palmo stood on the other side of her. She felt a tickle of doubt for Palmo, but she brushed it aside and smiled.
“All opposed,” Modna said.
Two hands went up. Amberlee focused on them. “I hope with time your feelings for me will change.”
They nodded. One said, “I hope so too.”
The other added, “We can’t coronate the child without a crown.”
Amberlee agreed. “I know where my mother’s crown is. I’ll be right back.” She turned to Modna. “Thank you for standing up for me. I know it must be hard, but I swear I won’t let you down.”
Modna smiled kindly. “I know you won’t. Hurry, get the crown and return quickly.”
Amberlee ran out of the war room and down the enormous hall toward her bedroom. When she reached the door, she waved her hand over the Carania family crest and the door opened. Inside she ran to her closet, pressed several buttons, and waited for the hatbox she’d requested to come out.
When the lavender box arrived at the front of the closet, she opened it. There, amongst some gauzy cream fabric, was her mother’s crown. She gently picked it up and ran back.
Before she reached the war room, she heard the raised voices of those still opposed to her becoming queen. Their points were understandable. She was asking a lot of them. Why should they trust her after what she’d done?
Slowing to a walk, she touched a hand to her short hair, patting it down so that it wasn’t as spiky. She stopped in front of one of the many mirrors lining the hallway and glanced at her appearance. She looked rebellious, not at all queenly. She
wiped the black star off her face as well as some of the eyeliner. She readjusted her shirt and combed down her hair some more.
It would have to do.
Gulping down her fears, she trusted in what Venus had shown Modna and the leader of the Chans. She was meant to be a great leader. No, she was a great leader. She just needed to prove it. To the Chans, to her people, and to herself.
And she would. She stared at her reflection in the glass and swore to it on her life. She would be the best leader her people had ever known.
Being a goddess had its advantages. There was no waiting, no riding in a Transport. Travelling from one world to another consisted of thinking about where she wanted to go, instantly travelling through space and time, and there she was.
Earth.
She’d thought of the meadow, the one where Zaren first told her she’d been sent to Earth. It was even more beautiful than she remembered. At first glance it was similar in many ways to Kelari. Upon closer inspection the differences were obvious. There was the weightiness of the atmosphere. This planet had only one sun and one moon. The photosynthesis of this planet made the trees, flowers, and grasses feel different.
She reached down, picked a wild daisy, and brought it to her nose. It smelled sweet and the petals were soft. She pressed them against her cheek. To her left was the stream; the rushing water raged in the distance. She dropped the flower and ran toward the sound, enjoying the feel of the warm breeze in her hair and against her bare arms and face.
At the edge of the stream she stopped. It seemed larger than last time, but the log, the one Michael had been sitting on when she first saw him, looked exactly the same.
Venus stared at it, remembering Michael’s extreme sadness and the rough way he’d kissed her. She’d thought he was a jerk, and he had been, but his reasons were understandable. Looking back she realized how wise and kind the gods—her parents, Ith and Aetha—had been. They knew of Michael and that he needed her.
She’d needed him as well. Still did. And always would.
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