The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Boxed Set Series

by Carissa Andrews

  Looking over her shoulder at the young Labot on the floor, Runa says, “Sorry.”

  Without looking back, Runa and I take off running again. The Helix hall floods with people, as if a silent order has been given to block our progress. Dodging their touch and watching their faces, Runa yanks me down a side hall.

  “This way, I know a faster way out,” she says.

  We stop in front of a typical maintenance panel, but scratched lightly on the surface is a five petaled flower.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing,” I say, looking over my shoulder.

  Placing her palm in the center of the flower, Runa pushes outward. We both jump back as the panel falls with a loud clang to the solid floor meters below.

  Glancing back the way we came, people with faces flickering between human and Labot start flooding down the offshoot after us.

  Without a word, Runa grabs hold of the opening, lowering herself inside and letting go. When the soft thud of her boots hit the ground, I look inside to see how to follow. It’s only a short drop to the floor of what looks like large utility room. A giddy feeling, almost high on adrenaline, washes over me.

  We might actually get away with this. I can’t believe it—

  We’ve just outsmarted the Labots.

  I shoot a warning blast, knocking those closest to us back before securing the sonic resonator on my back. I follow behind Runa quickly, hitting the ground with a muffled thud.

  “There— ” Runa points and an outer door—our door to freedom is just meters away. Her small frame surges forward, reaching the door well before I do, and she starts working to get it open. Footsteps pound behind me and I spin around, reaching for the sonic resonator and preparing to protect the woman behind me.

  Three faceless bodies close in fast—

  Runa continues to struggle with the door as the all too familiar fluttering of the seize scanners warming up saturate the air.

  “Runa—” my voice wobbles and I take a step toward the Labots, sonic resonator ready.

  “I know—” she calls out over her shoulder.

  The Seize Scanner reaches maximum volume, and I take a shot—but Runa finally throws the door open. I twist around to follow her. As I lurch myself forward an inky darkness takes over my vision. Realization dawns—left with no hope for myself, I use every ounce of strength I have left to shove Runa out the door.

  20

  Runa

  TRAE THRUSTS ME OUT THE DOOR with such force, I slam into the side of Tethys’ large body. Her agitation has been palpable since I entered the Helix and she’s more than ready to make a stand in the interest of my protection.

  I hope Trae can trust me—there’s no time to explain her.

  The deafening sound, like strange mechanical wings, dies out behind us and I swivel around to reach for Trae’s hand. To my horror, his beautiful brown eyes dim and his body descends right in front of me.

  The way his hair flickers in the sunlight—the heaviness of his eyelids as they close—the way a billowing cloud escapes his lips—even the sound his clothing make as they ruffle in the wind’s resistance—everything happens in slow motion.

  I reach for him as he hits the snow with a soft thump, completely motionless.

  “No— ” I cry, fumbling with his hands and wrenching him the rest of the way out of the Helix.

  In a flurry around us, Tethys manipulates the moisture from the air, and the snow beneath us. Droplets glisten, congealing in mid-air as she connects to her source, to her element of water. A rainbow of illumination ripples across the top of her body and the phosphorescence surrounding her shimmers in the low light of our sun.

  Three Labots close in; their tall, masculine statures race toward the exit with such ferocity, my mind goes blank.

  Their faces …

  Just like my mother and the others inside—they have no cheekbones, no noses, no mouths or eyes—nothing to focus on but the glistening void on top of their shoulders. Trae’s description is nothing compared to the actual experience of witnessing them. With a surge of adrenaline, I scramble backward in the snow, pulling Trae as far away from the doorway as I can get. The Labot in the lead reaches the entrance, with the other two following immediately on his heels. Locating us, they use the command sequence on their NanoTech suits to reinitiate the weaponry they used on Trae and the strange sound it makes rings out again.

  The second they exit the building, Tethys is ready, pitching forward with her enormous claws extracted.

  Even if the Labots had eyes, they wouldn’t see what’s coming.

  But I do.

  A gash opens wide across the first Labot’s chest and his blood sprays the snow in a low arc. The smell is repulsively sweet and I fight the bile it provokes when he’s flung backward into the other two. Their bodies slam into the Helix with a sickening crack that reverberates through the open air, and echoes off the trees behind me. A tangle of arms and legs crumple onto the snow in front of me, not one of the Labots making a move.

  Without time to waste, Tethys leans down, nuzzling the top of Trae’s forehead. She sweeps her long tongue across the top of his head, leaving a trail of saliva in his hair. All around his body, the snow vibrates, suspending him in a cocoon of animated frozen water. I take a step back, watching everything unfold. All at once, the vibration halts as the snow melts into water droplets and barrel through him. Trae writhes as steam escapes his body from the processes she’s creating. I can only hope this is a part of the same healing touch she was using on me. Trae’s eyes flicker, and for a moment open, but he sinks back into unconsciousness.

  I kneel down and run my hand along Trae’s hard jawline.

  “You’re going to be okay,” I whisper. With my thumb, I rub his lower lip, “I promise.”

  Tethys takes a step back, sending me the impression it will take a little time to undo whatever the Labots have done to him. Inside the Helix, footsteps echo not far from the exit. Moving swiftly, Tethys positions herself between us and the doorway as she lowers herself so I can climb onto her strong back.

  Running my hand along her muzzle, I look deeply into her crystalline eyes, sending her the impression of the Tree. She already knows—but I need to let her know I’m ready. A fierce determination settles over me like a warm blanket.

  I need to finish this.

  Tethys grunts in acknowledgment, preparing for the fastest course. There are no words exchanged between us, only a simple knowing back and forth. Everything about our connection is so fluid—natural, though in many ways, not unlink the eLink.

  I step around Trae and pull myself up. Tethys’ soft, iridescent fur tickles my cheek as I lean forward and wrap my arms around her thick neck.

  Tethys bends forward and with her mouth, lifts Trae by the front of his jacket. In the same instant, the outside world pushes away—like being inside a bubble as her protective shield engages. It’s a strange feeling, as though I’m somehow an observer, but no longer a part of the world. Under us, the snow trembles, humming as it merges with her shield and propels us forward. I close my eyes, willing us to get to the Tree quickly, but Trae’s blank stare as he fell plays over and over in my mind.

  Suddenly overwhelmed by everything, tears threaten, brimming in my eyes and I blink furiously fighting them back. After everything that’s happened, I need to stay strong.

  “He has to be okay …” I whisper to myself, unable to accept the alternative. I don’t know what they’ve done to him—but he has to heal from it. He has to.

  The edge of dismay cuts deep and I shiver uncontrollably against its grasp.

  Tethys’ mind is focused on the Tree, the outline of it is etched in her thoughts, pulling us in an invisible line. Inside my trouser pocket, the tiny blue crystal emits an energy all its own, as if there is an anticipation of what comes next embedded within. I only hope I’ll be able to figure out what needs to be done when we get to the Tree.

  I continue to watch over my shoulder, but no one is pursuing us. However, the
halo around the sun seems ominous as we zip in and out of trees toward a destiny thrust upon me. Right now, I’d give anything to be a normal girl inside the Lateral—not someone being hunted.

  What if Videus has found the Tree first?

  I still have no idea who he is—or what he even looks like. So far, he’s only hidden himself behind the facelessness of others. Things aren’t adding up and my heart thumps unevenly in response.

  As if in a time warp, we reach the location of the Tree in a matter of minutes. Kani and Fenton are huddled together in the distance, clearly watching for signs of danger as we approach. Hidden to their eyes by Tethys shield, they don’t see or sense us as we pass right in front of them.

  I give Tethys the instruction to bring me to them first, but she shudders, ignoring the request. She has no intention of going to them when we are this close to the Tree. Something in her energy tells me they’re better off where they are for now.

  We weave around trees of all shapes and sizes, finally stopping in front of one on an enormous scale. On the ground nearby, my blood is splattered and frozen in the snow; a suspended memory in time.

  As Tethys’ shield disengages, my eyes flit to the large gash carved in the surface. The once hollow tree is frozen solid with ice—just as Trae had said. However, superimposed over the natural opening, is … a doorway. Intricate and beautiful, just like in my dream.

  This really is it. The Tree of Burden.

  I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and gaze at the Tree with bewilderment. The massive wooden door is staggering, the likes of which I have never seen. It appears to be ancient, but unbelievably as though it’s timeless. The outer edge housing the door is decorated with etched stones, some large and small. The door arches to a point at the apex and is hinged with black metal plates decorated in ornate spirals, reminding me of water. To one side is a large, black metal loop meant to open the door.

  We’re so close …

  Sliding off Tethys’ back, my feet crunch in the snow as I hit the ground. As an experiment, I close my left eye. Only the normal, natural tree stands before me. Then I switch eyes, and only the doorway exists.

  Beyond seeing her, this was why—this moment was what Tethys had been trying to prepare me for when she attacked my vision. It’s no wonder Videus has hunted for the Tree, but has never been successful. He has no way of seeing it for what it really is.

  Everything around us vibrates. The Tree, the ground, the crystal in my pocket. What’s more peculiar, I feel the vibration—under my skin. This tree emits something powerful, making me want to touch it.

  In the distance, Fenton calls out, “Runa? Tha’ you?”

  I turn their direction as both Kani and Fenton stand up from their crouch. No longer watchful for enemies, they start running our direction.

  “Where’d they come from?” I hear Kani ask, “Did you see them arrive?”

  “No, I didn’t. Wha’s goin’ on wit Trae? Is he hoverin’ in mid-air?” Fenton says, astonishment in his tone.

  “I’m going into the Tree, guys. Take Trae and get out of here— ” I call out. I sweep my hand toward Traeton as I turn back to my mission. I still have to figure out where the crystal goes.

  “Jus’ wait a minute, Runa. Wha’ tha hell ’appened in tha Helix?” Fenton yells, nearly tripping over his feet as he runs.

  When Videus had control of my mother’s mind, he had somehow triggered by extension, access to mine. He had tried to take my mind over, but I was able to push him out. I couldn’t find the words to tell Trae, but I felt the creeping sensation being triggered in the back of my brain, like a buried code come to life. When he couldn’t gain full access, he said he would kill me and anyone I care about if I don’t give myself over in the Helix. I have no doubt that if my eLink connection had remained open much longer, I would have been taken over the way my mother had been.

  With only a matter of minutes before the two of them reach the Tree, I don’t have much time or I’ll have a lot of explaining to do.

  Tethys slowly sets Trae down in the snow and he stirs slightly. Quickly, I drop to my knees and run my hand along his cheek. He groans, and raises a hand to his head.

  “I have to go Trae. But I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I whisper. I wish I knew whether I was telling him the truth or not.

  All of this, getting to know Trae, our connection, our kiss—it brings me a sense of hope that if I succeed in figuring all this out—maybe I’ll have something worth returning to.

  Walking up to the Tree, I run my hand along the wood frame, wanting to make sure the door is real. The texture is not unlike the bark of the Tree itself; rough. The wood pulsates under my touch, beckoning me to open it. No longer frightened, I take a deep breath, and set my hand on the large metal loop, and pull.

  Of course, nothing happens.

  What was I expecting?

  I let go of the loop to stare at the space above it. A small, five-petaled flower is etched into the base of the handle. The middle of the flower is hollowed out in a pentagon, the perfect size for the crystal. Somewhere in the back of my mind, the symbology of the flower is embedded—but I can’t fully access it yet. Perhaps one more thing to learn once inside the Tree.

  Tethys follows behind me, silently encouraging me to go inside without any further hesitation. Pulses of energy vibrate off the crystal as I pull it from my pocket, ready to place it inside the space meant for the key.

  As I reach out to the door, the field behind me suddenly ignites in a burst of yellow and orange. I spin around to see flames quickly dying out, leaving behind what appear to be a sea of enormous, black salamanders. Strange red and orange markings are distinguishable across their backs as they huff ominously.

  The ground sizzles beneath their feet as the snow flees the place where their flesh touches the ground. The moment the salamanders burn through the snow and make contact with solid ground, electricity arcs, zapping back and forth between the group as a whole, connecting them—grounding them. The sound makes my skin crawl, reminding me of the moment Baxten was taken. None of them make a move—instead, they maintain their position as if waiting for a silent command not yet given.

  “Runa are ya— Whoa!” Fenton cries, coming to an abrupt halt beside me. He stares in the direction of the salamanders, breathing heavily from running.

  Kani nearly slams into Fenton as she rounds the Tree behind him.

  “What the— ” she says, scrambling back at the sight of the salamanders, “Are those what I think they are?”

  “Yes,” I say, refusing to take my sight off of the black mass.

  “We gotta ge’ outta ’ere, then. Don’tcha think?” Fenton asks, backing up slightly.

  Trae moans, setting himself upright in the snow.

  “My head’s killin’ me,” Trae mutters, shaking his head.

  “Trae, now’s no’ tha time ta be sleepin’ on tha job.” Fenton mutters, kicking Trae in the leg.

  Scrambling to his feet, Trae stands shoulder-to-shoulder with me.

  “How’d this happen …” Trae asks, his voice trailing off as he takes in the gravity of the situation around us.

  A gathering of large birds darken the colorful sky. Their unfamiliar groans reach us far in advance of their physical bodies. These birds don’t have the same calming effect as the juncos, instead, it feels like all the light in Pendomus is extinguished with each caw.

  As they grow nearer, I feel Tethys trying to be omniscient, spreading her awareness through the snow. But there are too many enemies to focus on at once. The salamanders stomp from side to side, their energy arcs widening and brightening. My heart thuds unevenly and I fumble backward, my hands searching for the Tree.

  The sense of urgency reaches a fever pitch and the weight of the pressure is a heavy burden. If I go for the Tree, I leave my friends behind to deal with this alone. Which is precisely what I don’t want for them.

  Tethys moves in front, stomping the ground and directing her energy to her shield as the large
birds are drawn in, converging with her. The invisibility that would normally protect her doesn’t seem to hinder them as they dive in two at a time, taking swipes. The air across the surface of her shield crackles as their talons purposefully graze the outer edge, testing her. Tethys groans, but stands her ground, prepared to protect us.

  “What are they doing?” Kani asks, her voice a high-pitch.

  “They’re attacking,” I say, frozen with terror.

  “Attacking wha’?” Fenton says, trying to see over my shoulder.

  A shudder ripples through me as I gape at the bird’s large black bodies and long necks as they circle Tethys and all of us. Their underbellies are a bright, flaming orange and I can’t help but marvel at the way they remind me of a distorted Earth vulture.

  “No time to explain— ” I say, knowing now is not the time to get into everything.

  Without warning, lightening explodes behind the curtain of birds and the majority disperse to oversee us from above. A few of the largest birds continue to circle us in an ominous captivity hold. The salamanders, however, spread out; their electrical zapping more pronounced and fervent.

  Tethys moves out further, pushing the salamanders back as she stomps the ground.

  “Runa, you need to get in the Tree,” Trae urges, stepping out in front of me, meters behind Tethys. Removing his sonic resonator from his back, he flips the switch, readying it.

  I reach forward, pushing the barrel down.

  “Please, Trae— don’t use this,” I plead, “There’s more out there than the enemies. You just can’t see, but you could hurt her, too.”

  Confusion crosses his face and he says, “How am I meant to protect you?”

  “You don’t have to. Keep yourself safe.”

  I hold his gaze, hoping to transfer the feelings I have— my trust, loyalty … my love.