Viper (Second Wave Book 1)

by Mikayla Lane

  Grai stood at the end of the table and looked directly at the Tezarian brothers. “I’m warning you now; we have some major issues going on right now, and we have much to discuss. I know why you are here, but you need to listen. Do you understand me?”

  “I don’t think you…” Viper began to say before Ratoka cut him off by squeezing his arm and glaring at him.

  “We need to hear what he will say. I believe it will be important to us.” Ratoka said cryptically enough to make Dread grind his teeth in frustration.

  Grai nodded to Amun, who connected his scanner to the screen behind the table. He tapped in a few commands, and the screen filled with a dozen different images that looked like complex brain scans.

  “These are scans of the different humans that we work with like David,” Amun said nodding to the man seated near him. “Lara, Tricia, and others that we are treating in town.”

  “Let me explain. Because of the inability for rapid cell regeneration, humans will not live nearly as long as we will. This of course, represents a major problem for our mated couples like Grai and Tricia and other possible couples in the future.”

  “A lot of what prevents their extended lives we have easily corrected, and they will now live at least another five decades longer than they would have. We have the Schumann Resonance pumped around the entire town and their homes, to increase their energy levels and promote emotional and mental stability.”

  “We only allow the food and meats grown on Grai’s farms to be available for sale, and we’ve been curing the diseases, but all of our efforts cannot produce the results that we have because the humans are not evolved enough physically, and they don’t have a beast. At least, that’s what we thought.” Amun said, looking around the room at the confused and curious faces before he moved to the screen on the wall.

  Amun switched the picture on the screen to one brain scan. “This is a normal human brain. There are no anomalies and it represents a normal human, with a normal brain growth and intelligence. This…” Amun said changing the picture.

  “This is the scan of one of our humans. If you look farther back here, see the long, thin, dark spot?” Amun asked the room as he pointed out the shaded area on the scan.

  Using his scanner, he put the 4D image on the table in front of them and turned it slowly so everyone could see the area more closely. The area as more noticeable in the 4D image.

  “We’ve done everything but a biopsy on it. And we found out that we can’t either. That is a beast. One we have never seen before and one that is not like our own or any of the thirteen known beast clans.” Amun paused as the room erupted in questions.

  “Whose scan is that? Is that Lara’s?”

  “How many humans are affected?”

  “Holy shit! The humans have beasts?”

  “What does it do to them?”

  Grai’s loud whistle calmed the room instantly. “Let him finish.”

  Amun nodded to Grai and tried to pick up where he left off. “We know that right now, it’s dormant. Not like our hybrids were dormant, these are almost like in a stasis. Every indication we have is that these beasts are fully functional in almost every way that our own are, but they sleep.”

  “The enzyme leakage of the beast is causing their body’s cell regeneration to be accelerated as our own, and will prolong their lives, but it is the only indication that the beast is affecting its host in any way. This scan is Lara’s. This is Tricia’s. Maggie’s. David’s.” Amun said, putting up each of their scans, the dark shadow designating the beast, easy to see. He laid a comforting hand on David’s shoulder and waited for the questions to fly.

  “What the fuck?” David said, staring at his scan alongside the others. He unconsciously rubbed his head where the dark shadow resided in his brain.

  “How is it possible that we did not know of another beast species?” Ivint asked, staring pointedly at Ratoka, who looked away.

  Dread, Viper and Drago looked at Ratoka’s guilty expression, and Viper erupted at him. “You knew? You fucking knew? Why the hell didn’t you tell us? Will it keep her alive if she remembers?” Viper demanded, fighting his brothers who were keeping him seated in his chair and away from Ratoka.

  “I did not know until right now! I suspected though… it is in the prophecy. I do not know if they will all be beast, but it is likely that will be the case with them and the others chosen for the coming battle.” Ratoka said distractedly, his mind working to add this new information to what he already knew.

  “Settle the hell down now!” Grai said, looking over at Viper as Decano and Niklosi came to stand behind Viper and his brothers, obviously called by Grai.

  Grai walked slowly up to Viper and looked in his eyes. “I would gladly rip his heart out for keeping something like this from me when it concerns my mate. However, it would serve no purpose. Calm yourself and listen and I promise you I will move this Earth if I must, to protect our mates.” Grai said through their private path on the Shengari’ before holding his arm out to Viper.

  Viper looked at the determination in Grai’s eyes and knew the man would be the best ally he could ever have to protect Lara. He didn’t hesitate to grab Grai’s offered arm near the elbow while Grai did the same, in the traditional warrior’s grasp. Similar to the human handshake it was done as a sign of respect and agreement between the warriors of the beast species.

  Grai nodded his head, let go of Viper and turned to Ratoka. “You will sit your ass down, and you will tell us every damn thing you know. And before you argue or think to begin with your usual evasiveness, consider this my request of repayment for your blood debt.”

  “Holy shit!”

  “A blood debt?”

  The shock reverberated through the room at Grai’s words. A blood debt was the highest debt that could be owed to another. Only an act of the highest order could invoke a blood debt. It was, as it implied, a debt that could require the sacrifice of blood if requested. Even the spiritual man would be required to spill blood, if Grai asked it of him.

  Whatever Grai had done, had been a lot more than anyone could have guessed. It couldn’t have only been Grai’s assistance in saving their planet from his father. Whatever had happened between the two men was much more than that, Ivint thought as he watched Ratoka deflate a little at Grai’s words.

  Ratoka sat slowly in the chair; a part of him relieved that this was all Grai would ever ask him of the debt he owed. The other part of him would not allow himself to repay such an enormous debt with such a paltry offering in return. However, he would think about that later. Right now, he would at least ease the mind of his friend.

  “As you know, at times, the God of Gods, sends his emissaries to warn us of how to prepare for troubling times ahead. Since the times of the ancients, the beast species have always come to the assistance of our brethren in need.”

  “Each of our species has been given prophecies detailing our responsibilities and what is to come. Some of us also have prophecies that we share. In this case, it is a shared prophecy of the Tezarian and Zendarian people. And the Valendrans.”

  “Long ago in the time of the ancients, the Prophet Ocarion blessed a council between our people with his presence. He gave them a prophecy of a time to come when they would need to join their strengths and clans in battle.”

  “It is called the Prophecy of Ocarion”

  In the darkest of days, when life hangs between extinction and evolution, the warriors and light bringers will be called by the God of Gods.

  The light bringers will guide and give home to the lost. Destiny awaits the lost deemed worthy. To those the light will be gifted unto them. The God of all Gods will watch. The children of his light will issue his call.

  The world will tremble in the darkness. As the balance must be restored. Shudders of rebirth will shake the old and young souls. The energy too much to bear. Others drawn to the light bringers. A refuge in the storm of chaos.

  The old souls following the path destiny has shown will
find the beast in their time of need. As the world is torn asunder. Evil will rise to legion. While hope is light. Faith is strength. The triad of Warrior, Light and Beast will bring peace. The children to begin the age of dawning and unity.

  “You’re kidding right? What the fuck was that supposed to mean? It doesn’t tell me why that thing is in my head!” David asked getting to his feet angrily, before turning quickly on Traze.

  “I will put you down and keep you there if you even consider it boy.” David threatened while Traze stared at his own upraised hand like it didn’t belong to him, and he couldn’t believe it was poised to smack David in the back of his head.

  “I… um… yeah… it always works on me! I was only trying to help!” Traze said, putting his hand down quickly and sitting back down in a huff, unsure where that bit of insanity had come from.

  “Tristan is bringing the lost souls, here isn’t he? Lara is one of those lost souls. It makes more sense now… Tricia?” Grai asked, looking to Ratoka.

  “She was Zendarian. I do not know much more than that. Do not force her memories much further though until we know how to deal with Lara’s. There is a problem, which is why we came.” Ratoka said, looking to Dread to explain.

  “The beast must not be helping her at all because Lara is going through brain heat. The memories rushing at her, a crafter gift and our armor are overheating her brain. Dog’ee said she’s showing signs of severe headaches, nose bleeds and sweating. You need to call them back Grai.” Dread said, worried that Grai and the others were taking this better than he had expected them to.

  “Wait! Are you telling me, I’m some kind of lost soul from one of your planets?” David asked, standing up.

  “There is a good chance that you are, I can’t know for sure unless I sift your energy. We can discuss that later. If you listen, you will learn it is not a good idea to know more until we can figure out how to keep Lara from dying first.” Ratoka told the nervous human honestly. He hated to seem so cold, but he was having a difficult time with Dog’ee screaming in his mind. Ratoka turned to Grai.

  “It is too late; she has passed out; your people need to find her quickly. Have the cats lock to Dog’ee, he’s guarding her body.” Ratoka said while Drago, Dread, Niklosi and Decano tried to stop Viper from running out of the door.

  “You can’t find her! You don’t even know where she is! Calm down! They will bring her here!” Drago said, trying to get through to his distraught brother.

  “Fuck… yeah I’m good not remembering anything.” David said, staring sadly at Viper, wishing there was something he could do to help the man.

  “Let’s head to the portal room and wait for them.” Grai said, putting an arm around Viper and leading him out of the room.

  “How did the beast get here?” Ivint asked, changing the subject to something less emotional.

  “An analysis of the enzymes that it excretes show indications of materials that are not indigenous to this world. It looks to be something that may have been brought here through planetary impact and evolved. I won’t know more until I can run more tests.” Amun answered distractedly as he spoke to his medical team through the Shengari’.

  “So it isn’t something that we brought with us and contaminated the planet with?” Ivint asked, unwilling to think about the consequences of such a possibility.

  “No! Of course not! This is something that has been here long before our outpost survivors arrived. This thing is old, and as complex as our own beast. I need more time to study it to learn more. Without more tests, I can only guess to its origin and purpose, or how many humans among us that may be affected.” Amun said, more confident now that his team was ready for Lara.

  “How have the humans not discovered this?” Dread asked, hoping the conversation would keep Viper distracted from his fear for Lara.

  “Scans of the brain are very uncommon in human medicine, unless there are symptoms that require one. In the event, it was discovered; it could have easily been dismissed as a hematoma or tumor. Considering its complicated location in the brain, the humans would not have attempted to extract it.”

  “In some cases, they may have assumed it was a problem with the scan. I gave up trying to figure out human medicine within days of arriving on this planet.” Amun said, shaking his head.

  “All you have to remember is not to cure anything, shove as many pills down people as possible and get them in and out of your office like a conveyor belt every fifteen minutes.” Traze added with a snort of disgust.

  “If it’s the government and you’re a vet, then it’s argue for months that you even deserve treatment, wait a few more months for an appointment, show up, and they tell you that you got the date wrong and to come back in a few months. If you’re lucky they will see you in a year or two.” David said with a sneer, as he followed the others to the portal room.

  “So you have no idea the purpose of this beast other than an ancient prophecy?” Grai asked Ratoka when they’d entered the portal room.

  “No. I never even considered the prophecy until Dread contacted me about Tristan. I recognized the prophecy in him since he’s obviously a light bringer. In truth, I never thought about the beast part of the prophecy until now.” Ratoka said, shaking his head in confusion.

  “Are you damn sure that it’s dormant?” Grai asked, turning to Amun and wondering what was taking them so long to get here.

  “With the little information I have right now, it seems to be fully functional, but dormant.” Amun answered, looking anxiously towards the still empty portal.

  *****

  Dog’ee watched Lara with narrowed eyes as she tried to stem the flow of blood coming from her nose.

  “You need go back. Now!” Dog’ee said angrily as he paced around Lara in a circle.

  “If you say that one more damn time I will… argh! Just stop already! And shut up! We’re supposed to be tracking!” Lara growled at the cat between the folds of the bandana she was using to squeeze her nostrils closed.

  Her head was killing her, and the sudden nose bleed wasn’t helping matters much at all. With Dog’ee’s constant whining she was tempted to succumb to the dark spots dancing behind her eyes just for a little peace.

  The only thing keeping her going was her determination to beat Jax, although she’d not been able to leave this tree for the last forty minutes.

  If she wasn’t in pain, she was puking, sweating like a dog and feeling like she was going to pass out. And because that just wasn’t enough fun for one person, the nose bleeding started ten minutes ago.

  “You cannot even get up! I bring help. You’re a fool. Are all humans stupid or just you?” Dog’ee asked, his whiskers drooping from his worry for his human. He just got her, and she was determined to kill herself.

  Lara had a few choice responses for the cat, none of which she was able to say since her body decided to start dry heaving. Lara’s stomach heaved until she fell over to her side exhausted in the dirt, the blood still trickling out of her nose. She closed her eyes and tried to rally her depleted energy to get up.

  “Lara! Fuck! Dog’ee you should have gotten me earlier! Hang in there Lara, we’re going to get you to help.” Lara tried to open her eyes when she heard Jax’s voice beside her, but she couldn’t and only managed a small groan before the heaving began again.

  “Get the transport now! Hang on Lara, we’re going to get you out of here. Don’t you dare give up girl! We gotta stick together.” Lara could hear Jax’s voice, in the distance, but couldn’t bring herself to respond. This time when the black spots danced and grew behind her eyes, she fell into the darkness.

  “She’s passing out! What the fuck happened Dog’ee?” Jax asked the scared cat.

  “I tell her to take the bracelet off! I tell her to go back! She not listen! She stupid human! I want new human! One that not want to die!” Dog’ee said, sniffing loudly enough that Jax was afraid the cat was going to cry.

  Jax knew the cat didn’t mean what he was saying and
gently rubbed his neck. She could feel his fear and sadness pouring off of him in waves. He had bonded with Lara and loved her as a friend, no matter what he said, Jax knew he was hurting for Lara.

  “Wait! Take the bracelet off? The one Bree made for her?” Jax asked, moving the sleeves of Lara’s gear shirt away from her wrists to expose the shimmering bracelet.

  “Yes! It making her worse.” Dog’ee said, anxiously pacing around the ground near Lara’s head.

  Jax had heard stranger things among their people and figured Bree could always make her another bracelet. Grabbing the bracelet, Jax pulled roughly, expecting it to break. She grunted when it didn’t break and reached to get a better hold of it. The electric shock flung Jax backwards a good five feet.

  “Whoa! What the hell?” Bree asked coming into the area in time to see Jax go flying.

  “Don’t touch the damn bracelet! It packs a punch.” Jax said angrily as she pulled herself to her feet and dusted herself off.

  “Are you all right?” Bree asked Jax, kneeling down by Lara.

  “Yeah… when is the transport getting here?” Jax asked into her comm as the rest of her team arrived. She moved out of the way when their team med tech, Erin, arrived with her gear.

  “I need a minute, so I can scan her and send the information to Amun.” Erin said, looking worriedly at Lara’s prone figure.

  “What happened to her?” Someone asked quietly, while everyone else spoke through the Shengari’ so as not to disturb Erin while she worked on Lara.

  “Amun said we need to get her to Dillon.” Erin said to Jax.

  Jax watched as the transport craft de-cloaked over their heads and two techs arrived on the ground with a stretcher. Lara was loaded up, and Jax thought when the transport hit their nearest base with a port station that all would be well. She should have known better.

  They had no sooner hit the entry to the portal room when Lara started to violently convulse. Her team watched as Lara’s body jerked so forcefully that the stretcher was repeatedly taken out of the hands of the techs.