Zaureth Awakened: 11.5 (Enigma)

by Ditter Kellen

  “Actually,” Amy rushed out before Artie could leave. “There is something you can do for me.”

  “What’s that, ma’am?”

  “Take me to Aukrabah.”

  Artie made a nervous sound in the back of his throat. “I can’t do that, ma’am. My orders are to protect you and see to your needs. The president made it very clear that no one is to leave the grounds until he hears back from King Klause.”

  “I know,” Amy desperately responded. “But I really need to return home. It’s an emergency.”

  Artie released a defeated sigh. “Tell you what. I will put in a call to President Pratt about you wanting to go home. I’ll let you know the minute I find out something.”

  Amy could only nod as a tiny spark of hope flared to life inside her. “Thank you, Artie.”

  “Most welcome, ma’am.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.

  No sooner had Amy turned toward her bed, then the bright light flared to life once more, accompanied by the same sharp, acute pain.

  She cried out, her hands flying out in front of her as dizziness assailed her.

  Amy lost the ability to gauge her surroundings. She felt as if she were spinning out of control, unable to stay upright. Her knees abruptly buckled, sending her to the floor in a heap of trembling fear.

  “Zaureth!” she gasped, a second before toppling face-forward into a terrifying sea of unconsciousness.

  Chapter Nine

  Zaureth wasn’t sure how long he’d been meditating before Kryten’s vengeful face appeared in his mind. It was time. The Arkadians had arrived.

  Pushing to his feet, Zaureth secured his trusted knife to his thigh and strode from the catacombs in search of his king.

  There would be no more time to plan or ready themselves. The enemy was upon them.

  Something flashed through his brain but disappeared before he could get a bead on it. “Amy?”

  Zaureth wasn’t sure why he’d called out to his mate. The feeling he’d experienced wouldn’t have anything to do with her. Would it?

  He slowed his steps, carefully opening the smallest bit of their connection. If Amy were in trouble, he’d know.

  There were no feelings of panic or sorrow coming from her. In fact, there was not much at all, telling Zaureth that she most likely slept. It was, after all, early morning. At least, it had been when he’d begun meditating.

  Hauke came around a corner and fell into step beside Zaureth. “You appear rather determined. Has something happened?”

  “The Arkadians have arrived.”

  Hauke didn’t falter. “I will notify my father. Gryke and the others are gathered at the Pool of Enlightenment. I will meet you there after I have spoken to the king.”

  “Wait,” Zaureth called as Hauke turned to enter the great hall. “Have you heard from your mate?”

  Stopping at the doorway, Hauke glanced back over his shoulder in understanding. “We spoke not an hour ago. Your Amy is fine, my friend. Everyone is.” With that, he disappeared inside the great hall.

  Extraordinary relief, mixed with determination to end the war and bring his mate home, poured through Zaureth.

  He shut down all outside thoughts and homed in on Gryke’s psyche. “Warn the others. The Arkadians will arrive within minutes.”

  “They are already here,” Gryke sent back, his mind in berserker mode.

  Zaureth took off in a dead run as the sounds of battle suddenly exploded from the underwater entrance.

  He rounded the corner in time to see Kaspyn, her arms out in front of her, taking down Arkadians with the power of her mind.

  Thrasher stood at her side with his human weapons, doing the damage of a dozen warriors.

  Zaureth didn’t slow; he gathered, harnessed, and drew on the power welling inside his chest. It vibrated within him, hot, focused, and looking for an outlet.

  Bursting through the crowd of fighting warriors, Zaureth broke through the waves of energy radiating from Kaspyn and hit the water at a full run.

  He felt, more than saw, Gryke and Braum blast through behind him to quickly flank him on either side.

  While his Bracadyte brothers exploded into action, Zaureth took out dozens with this mind and pushed back dozens more.

  They would keep coming though. There were too many.

  The truth about his own species was that most of them would die before actually surrendering. Endless lives would be senselessly lost this day due to pride and ignorance.

  Zaureth didn’t relish taking another’s life, but when it came down to his brothers’ lives, he would take as many of the enemy out as he could.

  Before long, the normally blue-green water of the Gulf began to flow red with blood.

  The knives of Braum and Gryke were responsible for some, but the majority came from those unfortunate enough to cross paths with Zaureth. And Zaureth had far too much to lose. Yeah, he would eliminate as many as he could.

  Kryten was nowhere to be seen, Zaureth noticed as the Arkadian warriors attempted to circle around behind him.

  Keeping the brunt of his powers trained on the ever-moving enemy, Zaureth connected with Braum and Gryke. “We have taken out a large number of them. We should move back inside where we have the best advantage.”

  Both Gryke and Braum agreed. They had destroyed at least a hundred Arkadians in under five minutes. Plus, Kaspyn and Thrasher had no doubt taken out the ones who’d made it past them.

  Zaureth held the massive blond giants at bay while Gryke and Braum returned to the Pool of Enlightenment to help the others fight.

  Once assured of their safe return, Zaureth spun around and followed them through.

  He sprang up onto the side of the pool, moving to stand next to Kaspyn. It would take a lot to get past the forces of Kaspyn and Zaureth together. A lot.

  Klause’s voice suddenly appeared in Zaureth’s mind, full of rage. “They are entering from land! My mate is in a room near that entrance!”

  “I am right behind you,” Zaureth shot back, already relaying to Gryke the words of his king.

  Gryke’s insane growl was immediate. “My king needs me. I am on my way!”

  Reaching the great hall area, Zaureth practically dove onto the back of a four-wheeler. He switched it on and spun off toward the land entrance as fast as the ATV would carry him.

  Less than a minute later, around a dozen ATV’s could be heard roaring down the hall behind him. He knew who they were without looking. Gryke, Hauke, Vaulcron, Braum, Rykaur, Oz, Anthony Vaughn, Naura, Syrina, Brant, Pyre, and Zyen. They would all die for King Klause and Queen Laurel.

  The sounds of fighting could be heard long before Zaureth reached the entrance.

  He rounded a curve in the tunnel in time to see Klause engaged in hand-to-hand combat with three Arkadian warriors. At least two hundred more were on land, fighting the… Marines?

  Respect for the human Marines blossomed to life inside Zaureth. But he’d think about that later, once they survived this madness. If they survived.

  Zaureth jumped from the ATV, his sights on the king and the Arkadian now rushing him from behind.

  With lightning speed, Zaureth yanked the knife from his thigh and threw it, burying it deep into the Arkadian’s skull.

  He rushed forward, rage and fear for his king fueling his every move.

  Zaureth took out the three fighting Klause without touching a single one. Blood began to seep from their eyes, sending them staggering back in screams of agony.

  They were dead before they hit the ground.

  The sounds of gunfire became more deafening the closer Zaureth got to the surface.

  He watched in awe as the Marines fought a species twice their size and were holding their own.

  Jumping over bodies, Zaureth exploded into the fray. He fought alongside Rykaur, Oz, and Braum. Gryke, Vaulcron, and Hauke were fighting next to their king.

  A roar of rage echoed in Zaureth’s ears, loud enough to be heard over the gunfire.

  He
sought out the sound until his gaze landed on a Marine backed against a building. Three Arkadian warriors were on him, breaking the man’s limbs as if they were twigs.

  Fury boiled up inside Zaureth. He lifted his arms, palms out toward the trio, and forced them to their knees.

  Though they cried out in agony, Zaureth didn’t kill them. No, he’d let the Marine have the pleasure of ending their lives.

  Reaching the injured Marine’s side, Zaureth kept his powers trained on the blond Bracadytes and helped the man to his feet.

  One of the human’s legs were broken as was an arm, but he made no sound.

  Zaureth retrieved a knife from one of the incapacitated Arkadians and handed it to the man. “You deserve the honor.”

  The Marine tightened his jaw and accepted the blade, which he promptly used to slice their throats.

  The knife fell from the Marine’s bloodied fingers. He turned toward Zaureth, respect and gratefulness shining in his eyes. “If you ever need me for anything. Find me. My name is Albright. Newt Albright.” With that, his eyes rolled back, and he dropped to the ground next to the dead Arkadians.

  Zaureth made a mental note to come back and check on the man once the fighting was over.

  Spinning back toward the existing battle, Zaureth began popping heads in every direction. But the more he took down, the more he could see coming over the rise.

  Arkadians everywhere. More than Zaureth could comprehend.

  The feel of a blade slicing across his bare shoulder broke Zaureth’s concentration.

  A hiss burst from his lips, his teeth locked together in pain.

  He spun around, keeping his hands out in front of him. But for every Arkadian that fell, another one took his place.

  Zaureth could see Oz in his peripheral, a knife in both hands, fighting like a maniac.

  Brant and Syrina were back to back, protecting each other while in full-on combat.

  Rykaur, Gryke, Klause, Hauke, and the others, were all engaged in battle… more than six against one.

  They were going to die if Zaureth didn’t do something…and soon.

  Naura suddenly went down behind Tony. Zaureth spun in their direction to find Vaughn, his face a mask of insanity. A battle cry ripped from Naura’s mate. He planted his feet on either side of her downed body, guns blazing, shooting everything that moved.

  Zaureth pushed out with his mind, taking out another row of the invaders.

  A thunderous sound suddenly exploded from his left. Hundreds more Arkadians came over the rise, running into the madness with swords in hand. And they were stampeding straight toward Zaureth.

  Chapter Ten

  “Miss Brighton, can you hear me?”

  Amy came awake to sound of a woman speaking gently above her. “Where am I?”

  “You’re in your room, Miss Brighton. I’m Dr. Lynnville. I hear you’re having some pain in your head?”

  Uncomfortable with the doctor’s presence, Amy sat up in bed. “I’m not sure who sent for you, but I’m fine. Truly.”

  “Your sister sent for me. She came in and found you unconscious on the floor. Would you mind if I took a quick look?”

  Amy nodded once. “Where is she, my sister?”

  “She just stepped out to check on her baby. She’ll be right back.”

  “Okay, but really, I’m all right. It was just a headache.”

  But Amy knew better. Headaches didn’t normally render one unconscious.

  “Lie back,” the doctor gently ordered. “You’re going to feel me touching around your eyes. I just need to have a look, okay?”

  Doing as she’d been asked, Amy rested her head against the pillow and stared into the darkness. Strange how the color of darkness had changed in her mind since Zaureth had made it possible for her to see through him.

  Amy had never known what colors were until Zaureth. The beauty and softness of pink. The vibrance of red. But nothing would ever compare to the pale-green color of Zaureth’s eyes.

  A faint flash of light flashed through Amy’s eyes, startling a gasp from her.

  “What’s wrong?” the doctor asked, concern lining her voice.

  Amy swallowed hard, waiting on the electric shock she’d felt before, only it didn’t come. “The light…”

  “You saw the light I used to look into your eyes?”

  “No.” Amy shook her head. “I don’t think it’s something I can see in front of me. I think it’s something to do with my mate.”

  The doctor grew quiet for a moment and then said, “I don’t understand what that means, but your reaction came when I shone the light in your eyes.”

  “I’m sure,” Amy replied, her mind already seeking out Zaureth. “It was just a coincidence.”

  “Have you experienced a seizure, dizziness, or anything unusual other than the pain and light?”

  “No,” Amy lied, needing to be alone. She had to find Zaureth.

  “Okay then.” The doctor’s voice now came from a short distance away. “I’m going to leave you something for the pain in case it returns. But I’d feel better if you’d allow me to run some tests.”

  Amy thought about what had happened with her sister and Vaulcron, the so-called tests that had been performed on them. Also, with Brant and Syrina. “Really, I’m fine. I feel better already.”

  “All right, I won’t push. But If you have another episode, please have someone call me.”

  Amy sent her a small smile. “I will. Thank you, Dr. Lynnville.”

  Waiting until the doctor left the room, Amy sat up and threw her legs over the side of the bed. She needed to figure out a way to get to Zaureth.

  She trailed across the carpet, until she reached the door, opened it, and stepped cautiously into the hall.

  It took her a moment to gather her senses before turning to her right.

  Amy felt her way along the wall until it ended, telling her she’d reached the stairs.

  She had zero idea which way would lead her to Mallory’s room, but she would knock on every door she came to until she found her. Mallory would help her find Zaureth.

  Amy held onto the banister and made her way up the flight of stairs.

  “Miss Brighton? What are you doing up here?” The words came from Artimus. “You could have fallen.”

  Amy turned in the direction of his voice. “I need to find my sister.”

  “Okay, but you could have asked me to fetch her for you. Also, I spoke with the president about your request…and it was denied. He stated that the king of Aukrabah specifically asked him to keep all of you safe. And the safest place for you is here.”

  Amy’s heart sank. There would be no way for her to return to Zaureth. “Something has happened to my mate, Artie. I can feel it.”

  “I can’t disobey the president’s orders, ma’am. I’m sorry.”

  Tears welled up in Amy’s eyes. “I understand. Will you help me find Mallory Cahill’s room?”

  Sure. It’s— Ma’am?”

  The ground beneath Amy’s feet tilted. Her arms flew up helplessly, only to come into contact with Artie.

  “I got you, Miss.” He swung her up into his arms.

  Amy couldn’t seem to catch her breath. She felt dizzy, which brought on the dreaded nausea.

  “Oh my God, Amy?” Mallory’s voice came out loud and hysterical. “What happened?”

  “She looked about to faint,” Artie offered, shifting her weight in his arms.

  Mallory was suddenly at Amy’s side. “Oh, honey. I was just about to head back down and check on you. What are you doing out of bed?”

  “Coming to find you.”

  “Bring her to my room,” Mallory insisted.

  The sound of a door opening could be heard over the thundering of Amy’s heart. If Artie didn’t get her someplace and fast, she was liable to throw up on him.

  He quickly carried Amy inside Mallory’s room and then gently deposited her onto the bed. “I’ll just go get the doctor.”

  Amy started to argue,
then thought better of it. If something were wrong with her, she definitely needed to know before returning to Aukrabah.

  The warm touch of Mallory’s palm softly brushed Amy’s forehead. “I can’t believe you came up the stairs after what happened earlier. You fainted, Amy. Or did you forget that?”

  “I didn’t forget,” Amy moaned, the nausea rapidly making its way to her throat. “I’m going to be sick, Mal. Hurry!”

  Something that felt like a small waste basket was swiftly shoved into Amy’s hands. “Here, use this.”

  Amy hung her head over the side of the bed, holding the small garbage can in a death grip. Nothing came up. But that didn’t stop the god-awful dry heaves from appearing.

  “I’ll get you a washcloth,” Mallory breathed, her footsteps hurrying across the floor. She returned a minute later and laid the cool, damp cloth against Amy’s forehead.

  Amy shuddered, handing the waste basket to her sister and pushing herself back against the pillows. “Where’s Reggie?”

  “Asleep. They brought me a bassinette earlier and a baby monitor. I was just about to run back down and check on you when I heard the commotion outside in the hall.”

  A light knock sounded on the door. Mallory kissed the top of Amy’s head. “I’ll get that.”

  Amy lay perfectly still, listening as her sister opened the door. “Thank you for coming, Dr. Lynnville.”

  The doctor spoke next. “Mr. Fiedor filled me in on what happened. Your sister had another fainting spell?”

  Amy hated to be talked about as if she were not present. It had always been that way with her. People assumed that because she was blind she couldn’t think for herself.

  The doctor continued to ask questions as she trailed over to Amy’s side. “I know you think you’re fine, Miss Brighton, but fainting twice in one day is a sign that something is not right. And we need to find out what that is.”

  “I know,” Amy agreed, listening to the rustle of the doctor’s clothing as she moved about.

  “I’m glad that I was still here,” the doctor continued. “I was just about to head back to my office when Mr. Fiedor found me.”