by Elana Brooks
“Of course.” Steve shifted to a slightly more comfortable position on the bed. The head was raised as far as it would go, but he’d still prefer to be in a chair. “Let’s get started.”
It took several hours for both Steve and Rosalia to show Solomon and each other all of their memories. They held back only the most intimate details of their bonding and what followed. After they were done, they all sat silently for a while, reflecting on what they’d learned.
Eventually Steve looked at Rosalia. “How did you know Sarangerel would betray Robert?”
She shrugged and studied her clasped hands. “I didn’t know. I just had a feeling. Based on what we saw in the fake vision. Which I don’t think was fake, after all. At least, that part was true. Sarangerel wanted to defeat us enough to threaten Robert’s life. While he would have let us win to save hers. I knew if we could just find some way to put enough pressure on that flaw in their bond, neither of them would yield, and their bond would break.”
Steve shuddered at the memory of the terrible energy released by the break consuming them both. “Could someone do the same thing to us, given the right circumstances? Or any of the other soul-bonded pairs in the Covenant? After all, we’re committed to defeating the Seraphim, even if we have to sacrifice our own lives.”
Rosalia looked troubled. “Probably. It makes us awfully vulnerable, doesn’t it? But we can’t put each other over the Covenant, either. And not just because of our vows. I mean, I would gladly give my life for yours, but if the choice were between you and losing Earth to the Seraphim… I know you would want me to sacrifice you. And I would want you to do the same.”
Solomon put a hand on her arm. His voice was soft, layered with deep pain, but profoundly certain. “That’s why our enemies can’t use our bonds against us in that fashion. When both partners share the same higher commitment, remaining true to it doesn’t betray their bond.”
Steve swallowed hard. Solomon spoke from personal experience. Rosalia met his eyes, and he saw she shared his understanding. He prayed they would never face the sort of trial Solomon and Keiko were going through, but if they did, he was sure she would prove equal to it. Her equal confidence in him flowed to him through their bond. Together, they could endure whatever was necessary to achieve their common goal.
Solomon cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “I’ve rearranged the schedule to postpone your next raid on the Seraphim ship. Do you think you’ll be sufficiently recovered by the day after tomorrow?”
Steve grimaced. “I should be. My astral form isn’t affected by the injury to my body. I’ll probably be so bored by then it will seem like a vacation. The doctors don’t want me to do anything but sleep.”
“Good. Rosalia, I’ll add you to his team. Your bond will give you the range you’ll need. Between raids, you can continue to run the recruiting program.”
She nodded, a determined set to her jaw. “Whatever the Covenant needs.”
“Steve, I want you to remain in Los Angeles after you’re released from the hospital. The threat from Angel is lessened, but I think it’s wise to continue to keep our bodies dispersed. Your duties as a member of the Eight will occupy much of your time, but when you’re free you can assist Rosalia with her sessions.”
“That works for me.” He approved of Solomon’s decision. Carlos was still out there, and who knew how many other members of Angel. Once they’d had a chance to lick their wounds, they’d be back. “Do you have a plan yet for how to stop Sarthex from making his move? It’s not going to be easy. We’ve got a handful against their millions. We can’t just push them back on course.”
“I have some ideas. I’ll call a meeting to discuss them. When the time comes, we’ll be ready.”
Steve would have liked to hear more, but he knew it was useless trying to pry information out of Solomon when he’d decided not to divulge it. “Good.”
Solomon rose and clasped Steve’s hand. “Rest, my friend, and recover your strength. You’ll need it in the days to come.” He turned to Rosalia, taking her hand in turn. “Welcome to our number. I pray all those who join us are as strong and dedicated as you.”
Steve felt her surprised pleasure at his words. “Thank you, sir.”
Solomon included both of them in an impish grin. “I’m sure the two of you are eager to spend a little time alone. I’ll leave you to it.”
They exchanged farewells, and Solomon left. Steve leaned his head back on his pillow and closed his eyes, listening to Rosalia drag the extra chair out. When her footsteps returned, she pulled her chair to his bedside, took his hand, and laid her head on his shoulder. He rested his cheek on her hair. Their minds met in wordless, warm contentment.
A vision opened before them, hazy and soft. Hand in hand, their astral forms sank beneath a crystal sea. A half-built Seraphim city rose from the ocean floor. Everywhere they looked, Seraphim of all sizes in a rainbow of colors labored industriously to construct the shining towers. Many looked up from their work, greeted Steve and Rosalia as friends, then focused again on their tasks. They glided along the pathways of the city, admiring the progress that had been made.
The Rosalia in the vision, hair white, face lined, eyes rich with wisdom, smiled at Steve. “It took a long, hard road to get here.”
The Steve in the vision wrapped his veined, spotted hands around hers. “It was worth it.”
Together they soared upward. They passed through the surface of the water and continued into an orange sky. Over them, a band of colors arched. They dazzled Steve’s eyes, breaking into a million shimmering droplets as the vision faded.
He blinked and tightened his hand around Rosalia’s. “Is that really our future?”
“It might be, at least. It’s possible enough for us to see it.”
He raised his other hand to stroke her hair. “I want it to be.”
She nodded against his shoulder. “Then we’ll have to work to make it real.”
He nodded in return and enfolded her in his arms. “Together.”
Chapter 30
One week later
Carlos hailed the Seraphim guard. The serpent ducked its head and rippled its wings. “Sarthex is expecting you.” It moved aside and gestured him past.
Carlos nodded courteously and continued on his way. The Seraphim ship loomed before him. He marveled at its magnificent size and the elegance of its design, but he allowed only moderate appreciation to show on his astral face. Gawking like a tourist would be undignified. He was here on business.
He approached the bridge, as Robert had done in the memory he’d shared. He and Sarangerel had always made sure Carlos was fully prepared to take over as leader of Angel if it ever became necessary.
Grief and anger at his friends’ deaths threatened to burst from their cage. He focused his mind on the discipline that allowed him to contain and harness his unruly emotions, channeling their energy to fuel his purpose. He would not allow Robert and Sarangerel’s deaths to be in vain. He would carry on their work until the Covenant was defeated, the Seraphim were settled and thriving in their new home, and humanity was renewed and reborn on an Earth healed and transformed into a haven for both species.
Sarthex’s voice boomed in his mind. Enter.
Carlos passed through the viewport into the bridge. He bowed to the giant black and copper Seraphim who waited there. “Greetings. My name is Carlos Villaverde. I now speak for Angel. Regretfully, I must inform you that my predecessors in that role with whom you spoke previously are now deceased. They were killed while attempting to carry out the mission you assigned them.”
“When they didn’t report back, I assumed that’s what must have happened. Neither of them struck me as being too cowardly to face me with news of failure. So you did fail?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Without them, I didn’t have sufficient resources to defeat Miller and Escamillo or contain news of their vision. The rest of the Covenant learned of your plans approximately seven days ago. I came as soon as your ship appro
ached within my ability to travel to it.”
Sarthex dipped his snout and swam in a slow circle around Carlos, his fins moving in deep, lazy ripples. “I’ve been acting on the assumption that they would find out about our change of course and attempt to prevent it. We’ll be ready to counter their efforts and continue with the braking maneuver as planned. Your failure was a setback, but Angel can still be of use to me. Until we’re closer to Earth, you remain my only option if I wish to act directly against the Covenant.”
“Yes, Commander Sarthex.” The disdain in the Seraph’s voice and manner rankled, but Carlos concealed his reaction. In truth, he could hardly have expected a better response to his bad news. He’d feared the Seraphim leader would refuse to work with Angel further. At least this way there was still hope that humanity could be saved. He could endure far worse than thinly veiled scorn in pursuit of that goal.
“However, now that I have a better understanding of the limits of your effectiveness, I’ll confine my requests to those more suited to your abilities. Since you’re clearly not strong enough to defy the Covenant directly, you’ll have to work through subterfuge. I have several ideas in that regard. Perhaps you can suggest others. We’ll discuss which are most likely to be successful and which would damage the Covenant the most. When I’ve decided which course to pursue, I’ll inform you, and Angel can go to work. I’m still willing to maike the minor concessions you asked of me, but you have to give me something in return.”
“I understand. Thank you for granting us the generous opportunity to serve you better in the future than we have so far been able to accomplish.”
Sarthex wrinkled his lip, revealing needle-sharp teeth. “I have little choice. Now, tell me everything you know about each of the members of the Eight. There’s been frustratingly little information about them in the news broadcasts. I suspect that’s on purpose; they obviously know we can monitor anything that’s transmitted. I hope you’ve been able to learn more.”
“We have, Commander. We’ve been watching the Eight for many years, collecting data on each new member as they join. In anticipation of this visit, I memorized much of it, along with a large amount of other information I thought might be helpful to you. I would be happy to relay it now.”
Sarthex bared his teeth again, this time in close approximation of a human smile. It sent shivers down Carlos’s back. “Excellent. Proceed.”
Carlos launched into his prepared report. Sarthex listened avidly, nodding, waving his fins, lashing his tail. Angel had accumulated a vast amount of information about the Covenant over the years, and Carlos had spent the last week distilling it into a concise summary.
When he finished, Sarthex was still for a long moment. At length he spoke with quiet satisfaction. “Your predecessors’ deaths were a stroke of fortune. It’s clear you’re going to be far more valuable to me than either of them were.”
Carlos restrained the flare of rage before it reached his face. The Seraphim considered friendship a weakness, he reminded himself. They were alien beings, unable to ever fully understand humans or be understood by them. It was unreasonable to expect anything different. That didn’t mean the two species couldn’t work together to their mutual benefit. “I hope so, Commander Sarthex.”
Sarthex eyed him for a moment. Carlos wondered uneasily how much he perceived.
With a flick of his tail, Sarthex turned to the viewport. He gazed out, toward the tiny yellow disk of the sun and the still-invisible Earth. He opened his mouth and hissed. Despite all his efforts to remain poised, Carlos recoiled from the sound.
“Only a little longer now, humans. The love you prize so highly and the soul bonds you believe will be your salvation will prove worthless in the end. When fire and water rain from the heavens, when we descend in glory to take possession of your planet, where will they be? Dead and rotting with your corpses, drowned beneath the waves. Our young will feast on their remains.”
Carlos gulped. This monster was who Angel had chosen to ally with? This cold-eyed, ruthless serpent? Maybe the Covenant wasn’t as deluded as he’d always believed. Maybe the Seraphim really were humanity’s enemies, not its saviors.
Sarthex turned back to him. “Return to Earth. I’ll contemplate everything you told me. Come back in three day’s time and we’ll talk further.”
Carlos inclined his head, burying his doubts. He’d chosen his path long ago; it was far too late to change it now. “As you wish, Commander Sarthex. Angel remains at your service.”
Also by Elana Brooks
Homecoming
The Covenant of the Rainbow
Prequel Novella: White Nights
Book 1: Red Sky in the Morning
Book 3: A Yellow Wood — Coming Fall 2018
Book 4: The Greenhouse Effect — Coming Spring 2019
Book 5: Deep Blue Sea — Coming Fall 2019
About the Author
Elana Brooks lives in Houston with her husband of twenty-six years. She’s been an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy since she was a child and discovered an exciting new love for romance several years ago. She spends a lot of time in Starbucks, drinking vanilla flat whites and telling stories about her imaginary friends. She enjoys dabbling in many hobbies, including spinning, knitting, weaving, costuming, hot air ballooning, singing in her church choir, and performing in amateur musicals. She also writes Young Adult Fantasy under the name Angela Holder.
To get the latest news about Elana’s new releases and special offers, find her at:
ElanaBrooksAuthor
www.ElanaBrooks.com
Preview: A Yellow Wood
Farid knows his duty. As one of the leaders of the Covenant of the Rainbow, a secret society that has prepared for the arrival of hostile aliens for millennia, he’s expected to form a soul bond that will strengthen his psychic powers and make him better able to fight the newly arrived invaders. His wife reluctantly agrees to cooperate. But their attempt to bond goes horribly wrong. Only her last minute withdrawal saves both their lives. Farid is forced to face the memories he's buried for twenty-five years. As a university student in Iran, he experienced a brief, forbidden love that ended in tragedy. Now, if he wants to fully contribute to the defense of Earth, he'll have to accept the truth about himself and seek out the lover he betrayed.
Arman has dedicated his life to working for acceptance and legal protections for the LGBTQ community in the Middle East. When the world learns of the alien threat, he fears their hard-won progress will be lost. Long ago, he and his first love explored both their sexuality and their psychic powers together. When the affair came to a bitter end, he buried the memory of his supernatural gifts along with his grief. Now he has no choice but to join the Covenant so his powers can be trained and used, even though it will bring him to the attention of the one he's never forgiven or forgotten.
The last thing either of them wants is to confront the ghosts of their past. But the aliens are about to engage in a maneuver that will bring their ship to Earth long before the Covenant is ready for them. Only if Farid and Arman can overcome the fear and resentment that separate them and rekindle the love they once shared will they be able to form the bond that will forge their combined psychic powers into a weapon strong enough to foil the aliens' plans and buy humanity the time it needs to unite against the enemy.
He loved his wife.
Farid focused on that truth as he nodded to the doorman and walked into the building. He repeated it over and over to himself as he waited for the elevator. He pictured Tirajeh’s face as he rode up to the fifteenth floor, trying to convince himself that what they shared would be enough.
She had stood faithfully at his side for twenty-five years. She was the mistress of his household and the devoted mother of his children. She was everything a traditional Muslim man could ask for in a wife.
For a modern Iranian man, also, she was the perfect spouse. She was well-educated, articulate, perceptive. She was an accomplished career woman. They shared a deep frien
dship that had begun when they were students together at the University of Tehran. Her family and his were bound by intricate ties of loyalty and honor.
And she was the ideal partner for one of the Eight. She had been a member of the Covenant of the Rainbow longer than Farid had. Her psychic powers were nearly as strong as his. Her uncle had been his mentor and predecessor. Her commitment to defending Earth from the Seraphim ran as deep as his. She would understand what he was going to ask of her and agree to the necessity.
She would be willing to risk her life for it.
The elevator doors opened. Farid took a deep breath, disciplined his face until his turbulent emotions left no trace on his features, and walked across the elegant hallway to the door of the apartment where his family had lived since they moved to New York from Tehran three years ago. He turned his key in the lock and entered.
“Daddy!” A small, warm body assaulted him, and slender arms locked around his waist. “You’re finally home!”
He ruffled seven-year-old Maryam’s hair. “I’m sorry I’m late, dear one.” His younger daughter’s words had been English, but he spoke in Persian, as he always did to her and her sister. He refused to let them forget the language of their homeland. “Have you eaten already, or did mama let supper get cold waiting for me?”
“Neither,” Tirajeh said, coming to greet him with a kiss on each cheek. “I knew you’d be late. I trust the Eight managed to deal successfully with at least a few hundred crises today? Otherwise they wouldn’t have let you go at all.”
“The situation is under control for the moment,” he said out loud. Keeping his thoughts tightly focused so Leila’s burgeoning telepathic skills wouldn’t pick them up, he told her, I’ll give you a full account after the girls are in bed. I have to ask you something.