“What’s a Renunciation Order? And who is the chancellor?” I tip my chin up.
“Chancellor Xava works for the High Commission which is the peaceful form of central governance in the galaxy. It was set up years ago as an alternative to the opposing rule of the Regal Commission. Of course, many planets refuse to accept or abide by their laws, but my father signed a contract with them when he lost his position of power, so he has to accept their ruling. I can apply to have my father removed as king on the grounds of his unreasonable behavior. Essentially, that’s what a Renunciation Order is,” Dali explains.
I frown, and Logan notices. “Ask your question.” I feel like I’m back in school.
“So there are two ruling factions?” He nods. “How does that work?”
“Colonists tend to conform to the rules of the Regal Commission and those planets who have been conquered have no choice but to accept their form of governance. Others, either those opposed to the ruthless strategies of the colonists, or those at risk of oppression, tend to side with the High Commission. Saven is currently a member of the Regal Commission. Something which I plan to change once I’ve ascended,” Logan assures.
“Part of the reason why the balance of power has been shifting these last few years,” Dali adds, “is the fact that more and more nations are joining the High Commission. It’s the cause of the recent instability and why there’s so much concern over the Saven’s plans. We are on the crux of massive change, and everyone knows it.”
“Will the High Commission support you?” I look between Logan and Dali, making it clear my question applies to both of them.
They both nod, though it’s Dali who verbally responds. “I believe they will approve of our plans. And I’ll need the backing of a certain percentage of member states to usurp my father. Also, the chancellor has to approve it, but I think he would. He’s never seen eye to eye with my father. Once the Renunciation Order is in place, I can apply for an Interim Instatement Order to be appointed temporary queen of Amara until I’m officially enthroned.”
“Where does the Heir’s Summit fit into the overall scheme of things?” I ask, still somewhat confused.
Logan stands up. “Holo-board.” A digital screen appears in the space in front of us. Using his finger, he constructs a quick graphic, showing the Regal Commission on one side, the High Commission on the other and the Heir’s Summit in the middle. “The Heir’s Summit was originally set up by the High Commission as a means to further unite their member planets. The initial idea was to foster an environment where open discussion between future heirs on key diplomatic concerns could be discussed in a non-political setting. In an unexpected move, the chancellor reached out to the Regal Commission and proposed sending heirs from their member states. The intent was to enter into genuine dialogue in the hope that peaceful discussions within this group could influence politics at a higher level and that it might broker an end to the war in the near future. The Regal Commission agreed purely because they saw it as an opportunity to possibly glean valuable intel.”
“But that hasn’t happened.” I state the obvious.
“Not yet,” Dali interjects. “But there is considerable potential. A huge percentage of the heirs are in agreement on the need for a treaty to end the war. The majority want to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity under their reign. For the first time in years, peace could be achieved. Which is why appealing to the Commission, as well as reaching out to some of the heirs, is the way we need to proceed now.”
“That all sounds like a viable plan, but how long will it take to accomplish? And how many humans and Saven will have died in the meantime?”
“I don’t know, Sadie. That’s where you and Logan need to come in. You’ll have to take whatever action you can to thwart the plans or at the least hold them off in the meantime.”
Logan admits that his father has been repeatedly trying to telepathically connect with him, but he continues to battle him. “I’m concerned that Dante will use this opportunity to further wheedle his way into my father’s affections. Lately, he’s been confiding in him way too much for my liking. Dante has been very secretive recently, and I’m certain he’s plotting something. And whatever it is, it won’t be good. I’ll have to talk to my father. I left him a note about the Amaretti threat, but I need to ensure he received it. And hopefully that’ll be enough to stop him from deposing me in favor of my brother. I imagine my father’s primary goal will be to protect Saven first and Earth second, so we’ll need to speak to your president and vice president, Sadie, to forewarn them. With your government’s backing, I can rally the Saven already on Earth to help battle this threat. I also think I can sell that to my father. How do you think they’ll react? Will your government accept my word? Accept our support?”
Three pairs of eyes fixate on me.
This is my cue.
My palms are sweaty, and I rub them over my bare legs as I confess, telling them everything I know about the VP’s plans, the rebels’ plans, and my involvement in same. I can hardly look Logan in the eye when I tell him about the dual death sentence hanging over him and his father. “To answer your question, I don’t know how they’ll respond. The VP has his own agenda, and he’ll no doubt be wondering how he can use this latest threat to his advantage. I don’t trust him, at all. And I’ve no personal experience with the president, so I don’t know what he’d make of it. The rebels have largely kept us in the dark, and I’ve no clue when or how they intend to strike, but if they are planning on acting soon, then it’ll be complete and utter chaos on the ground. We’ll stand little chance of successfully defending ourselves against alien invasion if we’re embroiled in a civil war. It’s a disaster.”
Logan looks furious as he stares off into space. Silence engulfs the room. Minutes tick anxiously by. Eventually, he stands, looming over me. “I can’t believe you’ve lied to me for months. You let me break up with you without warning me of any of this!” he yells, demonstrating wildly with his hands.
I stand up and face him. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you, when I needed to. You were already dealing with so much, and I didn’t want to add to your burden. While they were trusting me with the assignment, you were safe. The moment that stopped being the case, I would’ve told you. I swear.” My fingers curl around his wrist. I look up, my eyes pleading with him to believe me.
Squeezing his eyes shut, he says, “There are so many things wrong with that statement.” He shakes his head. “Everything I did was done to protect you, and you were throwing all that away by putting yourself in such danger! How could you be so stupid? So careless. You risked not only me and my family, but your own life too. How can I be okay with that?” He removes my hand, stepping back. “It’s not okay, Sadie. I …” He flips his hands exasperatedly in the air. “I need some space to think.”
He stalks toward the door as I call out to him. “I’ll come with you. We can talk it through.”
Vigorously shaking his head, he says, “No. I need to be alone. Don’t follow me.” Snatching his jacket, he storms out, slamming the door shut behind him.
I stare desolately after him, upset and annoyed at myself.
One thing is for sure.
There’s no fear I’ll ever forget my eighteenth birthday.
CHAPTER 17
It’s been over an hour, and Logan hasn’t returned yet. I know he’s pissed at me—and he has every right to be—but we don’t have time for him to throw his toys out of the stroller. Every minute that passes means more lives are in danger. I’m itching to get back to New York and find out the latest from Jarod. To put plans in motion. To actively DO something.
I’m attempting to expel all my repressed emotion wandering back and forth across the living room floor. Up and down. Over and back. I knot and unknot my fists as my eyes flit repeatedly to the door. Win eyes me suspiciously every now and then. I don’t understand what his problem is, but he’d better knock it off soon. I’m a walking ball of combustible frustration, and
he’s presently in my line of fire. The atmosphere is tense, and we’re all on edge.
The door opens quietly, and my breath hitches. Logan enters, tossing his jacket on the back of the couch. His expression is calm, but I don’t know what’s lurking under the surface. Whether I’m forgiven or not. He walks toward me, and I hold my chin up, preparing myself for the worst. “I’m not happy about this, and we’re definitely not done talking about it, but we’ll have to put it aside for now. We need to finalize our plans and make tracks.”
He sinks into the couch as I silently breathe a sigh of relief. “We leave tonight. I’ll connect with my father once we’re on the ship and ready to depart. We may need to leave in a hurry if he taps into our location. When we reach New York, I’ll organize a meeting with the VP, and we can start making concrete plans then.”
“No.” I tackle him head on, as I balance on the edge of the couch. “We should deal directly with the president and inform him of the VP’s takeover plans. We’ll ask him to halt progression of the program in Sector Twenty in return for your support against the Amaretti. I also think I should speak with G. Ask him to defer his plans and ask for the rebels’ help too. If we are to stand any chance of holding off the Amaretti invasion, then we’ll need everyone on the ground working together toward the same goal.”
“I don’t disagree with your logic, but you’re not talking to the rebels alone. I’m coming too.”
I shake my head obstinately. “Absolutely not. They’ll kill you stone dead on the spot. Jarod and I will speak to them after you and I get the president on board.”
He rubs his taut jaw. “And what if they take you to get to me? I don’t like it. You don’t know enough about them to know they can be trusted.”
I take his hand in mine. “Logan, no one can be trusted. Not the people we need to speak to, nor the ones Dali and Win plan on talking to. We don’t know how everyone is going to respond, but we have to try. We have to take that risk because we can’t do this on our own. We need allies. Haydn can come with me if it makes you feel any better. No one has made any threats to his life.”
He schools his features into a neutral look, one that’s impossible to gauge. “Okay. We have a plan. We’ll leave once nighttime falls. Be ready.”
Logan and Dali are engrossed in serious conversation, heads huddled together on the couch, discussing which alien race she will approach for help. I’ve already packed my measly belongings, and now I’m bored. For want of anything better to do, I decide to make some tea. Win hops onto a stool at the table, watching me astutely. Apprehension slam-dunks me at his quiet observation. This guy makes me very uneasy. “Have you always lived on Earth?” he asks a few minutes later.
I frown. What kind of a question is that? I look over my shoulder at him. “Of course. What are you implying?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Nothing. I’m purely trying to get to know you.”
Okaayy. I pour water into mugs and leave it to stew. Turning around, I face him. “Okay. What do you want to know?”
“Do you have siblings?” He inclines his head to the side.
“Yes. One sister and two brothers. All older than me.” Bending over, I peer into the mugs, inspecting the strange contents. The light green liquid emits a pungent smell, and I wrinkle my nose.
“You’ve a very interesting look. Do your siblings look the same?”
He gives off an air of casual indifference, but he doesn’t know I can always tell when someone is wearing a front. He’s deliberately probing, and now I’m downright suspicious. I dispense with the teabags, throwing them into the trash. Coolly, I hand him a drink. “They look nothing like me.”
He takes a sip of his drink. “And is that unusual?”
I purse my lips. Where’s he going with this? Well, I can be cagey too. I give him a coy smile as I brave a taste of the odd-smelling tea. My tongue feels like it’s coated in a layer of slime, and I pucker my mouth.
A tiny grin graces his lips. “It’s an acquired taste.”
“I’ll say.” I swirl my tongue around my mouth attempting to get rid of the God-awful taste. Walking over to the couch, I place two mugs on the table for Logan and Dali. They barely acknowledge my presence as they pore over some map. I walk back to the kitchen, settling along the farthest edge of the counter.
Win spreads his hands out on the table as he tracks my movements, no doubt carefully composing the next stage of his interrogation. “So I believe you and Logan are Eterno intended?”
I gaze at him warily. “Yes.”
“Don’t you find that a bit strange?” He looks over the rim of his mug at me.
I straighten up, expression hostile. “Just spit it out!” I hiss. “What are you getting at?” Logan’s head jolts up at my heightened tone of voice, and he frowns.
“None of the Saven have ever Eterno connected with anyone outside their species before, let alone a human.” He says the word as if it’s a deadly disease. “What’s so special about you?”
Logan materializes behind Win. “That’s enough.” His voice drips with condemnation.
Win ambles off the stool and stands toe-to-toe with Logan. “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought the same thing I’m thinking. Look at her!”
Logan gets all up in his face. “Drop it. Right. Now.”
“Calm down,” Dali says, stepping in between them. “We need to work as a team, and we don’t have time for petty squabbles. Stand down. Both of you.”
Logan and Win glare at each other, neither one willing to be the first to back off. I walk decisively to Logan’s side and tug on his arm. “Let’s take a walk. I could use some fresh air.” I drag him to the door and shove him outside.
Tension radiates off him in waves. I run my hand up and down his arm until he visibly relaxes. As it’s semi-light out, we walk through the center of the dense forest until we find a fallen log to sit down on. We haven’t said a word but it’s not uncomfortable. I rest my head on his shoulder, and he presses his chin into my hair. “He doesn’t like me or trust me, and I’m sure it’s not the first time we’ll encounter prejudice. Our pairing is unique,” I say, more to appease myself than anything. Because Win has inadvertently tapped into a legacy worry, and now my brain is conjuring up all sorts of mad stuff.
“He has no right to speak to you like that. And what’s going on between us is none of his business.”
“He’s probably still pissed at me over what I did to Dali back in Amara. And he’s never dealt with humans before, so I suppose some degree of skepticism is normal.” I don’t know why I’m defending him per se.
“You’ve never dealt with alien species before, but you’re not the one being rude.” Logan presses his lips into my hair in a sweet gesture.
“I guess that makes me the better person,” I say with a slight hint of humor, hoping to draw a line under the subject. “Logan? What will your father do when you tell him about the death threats? I’m worried he’ll attack Earth himself.” I lift my head up and angle my body into him. Our legs touch, and heat instantly pools low in my belly. It never ceases to amaze me how one fleeting touch from Logan can turn me into a puddle of hormonal goo. Honestly, that’s a talent.
Logan whirls a lock of my hair around his finger. “He might feel like doing that, but he won’t. The conscience transfer means too much. He’ll plan some sort of vengeance when the timing’s right, and we’ll find a way of thwarting him before he takes action.” He kisses the tip of my nose.
Right then, I spot something unexpected out of the corner of my eye. Partially hidden between two thick trees is a rusted circular grid-like gate embedded in the ground. Slightly elevated, it juts up from the forest floor, whippets of crusty dark black and green undergrowth snaking in and out of the weathered lattice. I get up, walking slowly toward it. Logan’s steady footsteps echo behind me. “What’s this?” I kneel down, peeping through the grate into a large black tunnel. A wall-mounted ladder encompasses the length of the opposite side, extending into the dark ch
amber below.
He crouches down beside me. “That’s the tunnel infrastructure which connects the old district with the new. No one knows who built it or what purpose it served, or if they do, they aren’t telling. There is one tunnel that leads to the edge of the lake, another that opens out in the center of the city, and a further one that extends all the way to the castle. Dante and I snuck down there once when we were kids. Dad almost keeled over.” He smiles at the memory. “No one has been down there for years. It’s been abandoned like the rest of this place.”
“It’s creepy,” I say, shivering as a blast of damp, stale air blows out through the grate.
“I remember being absolutely terrified though I’d never admit anything like that in front of Dante. I used to really look up to him.” He has a faraway look in his eyes.
“You did?” I’m surprised, because I can’t visualize those two ever getting along.
“He wasn’t always a tyrant. We were thick as thieves for years. Sometimes, I miss that closeness we shared.” He picks up a stray stone and flips it between his fingers.
“What happened?”
He slumps down on the grass, bending his legs at the knees. He takes a long breath. “He changed after Mom died. She was his strongest advocate, and her loss affected him deeply. I mean, I was in bits too, but … I managed it better. Dad was so hard on Dante. Always had been. Mom was the buffer, but with her gone, Dante bore the brunt of his frustration. He blamed me. He said everything was my fault, that I should’ve kept my big mouth shut.” He smiles weakly. “He shut me out. Refused to have anything to do with me. And when Dad made his intentions clear in relation to the crown, that gave Dante further ammunition to fuel his rage. Before, he’d been happy to ignore me, but after I was officially announced as the heir, he began harassing me, physically goading me, and he went out of his way to try and mess things up. Sneaking behind my back, meeting with those who were opposed to the idea of me as the future king, forging alliances with murderers and thieves. He’s been completely out of control for years. Dad tried to get him to toe the line, but it’s as if he hit the self-destruct button and he’s on a countdown, and no one or nothing can reverse the action.”
Saven Disclosure (The Saven Series Book 2) Page 23