by Ciara Knight
Paulson hesitated. “Possibly. Our scientists invented a remedy to counteract the effects of the toxins. And recently, we’ve had several people recover from the mist’s effects. If she’s strong, she’ll make it until we can get her to the cure.” He retrieved a syringe. At one end was a glass bubble filled with clear liquid, at the other the brass needle. “Keep her still. Don’t allow her to move.”
Bendar clasped her head to his chest and tilted it to one side, exposing her neck.
Grimacing, I glanced over at Ryder from where I still lay across her legs. He fell to his knees beside her, his hand fisted on his thighs as he watched the captain’s every move.
Before Paulson removed the syringe from her neck, Raeth went limp.
“She’s strong,” Penton choked. “It’ll work. It has to.”
Ryder reached out and placed his hand on Penton’s arm. “You’re right. She will.” Compassion, love, and hope permeated his words.
I watched as the two of them stared at one another in silence. I’d heard women in the queen’s court whisper that men, be they Slag, Human, or Neumarian, could communicate with one another with just a look. I’d never believed it until now. They nodded to each other then smiled. A moment later, Ryder joined me. I cupped his face between my hands, feathered a kiss across his lips, then leaned back, my hands never leaving his cheeks. “If anyone can fight this, Raeth can and will. I watched her endure unspeakable things at the hands of the queen. She not only survived but has thrived in spite of the torture inflicted upon her,” I whispered, caressing and kissing him.
Bendar wiped his nose and retreated to the side of the couch, leaning his head back on the arm rest. “When suffering stop?”
The captain strode to the table and repacked the syringe, then moved to a large supply bag in the corner. “It’s best that she rests for now. By morning, we’ll know. Besides, it’s much safer to travel in daylight. Here are some rations. It’s critical you eat and sleep. You’ll need every bit of energy if we’re to make the Arc by tomorrow afternoon.” He glanced at Ryder and me. “There’re many people who want to speak with you.”
Ryder took an offered silver pouch then pointed for me to do the same before he sat cross-legged on a small rug and leaned against the couch. I wasn’t hungry, not after facing those flesh-eating creatures. But I knew Paulson was right and so did Ryder. Then again, he knew the importance of maintaining one’s strength, and never let me forget it or skip a meal.
I snuggled into his side. Pealing back the silver wrap, I crunched down on a flaky, dry bar of something that tasted like fruit and meat. I’d had worse. Visions of Mags’ rat soup back in Old Chicago probably topped the list.
Penton accepted a bar, but remained holding Raeth’s hand to his chest, watching her sleep.
“Penton, you need to eat.”
He shook his head.
Not willing to accept his refusal—after all, I’d eaten that rat soup—I reached into his side pouch and retrieved a ration pack. Once opened, I held it near his face. “Eat with one hand. That way you can continue to hold her with the other.”
Ryder chuckled. “See how frustrating that is?”
“Penton, if I have to shove this down your throat, I will.” I meant it, too. Misery loved company. In this case, the misery was a nag. Ryder was mine, and I was his. “We can’t afford to have you collapse on us tomorrow. You and Ryder will have to take turns carrying Raeth.”
His gaze lifted from staring at Raeth’s face and met mine. Ah, yes, I should’ve known Raeth needing him would get his attention. Without a word, he slid his hand from Raeth’s and took the ration. Nibbling, his gaze returned to her and remained transfixed as if his love alone would heal her.
At my glance, Ryder sighed. “Yes, I see it. Don’t like it, but he’s a good guy.”
I forced down three more bites then crouched by her ear and whispered, “Hear that, Raeth? Ryder approves. He didn’t even frown when Penton said he loves you. So, you two can date once your well.”
Ryder choked and coughed. “Date? I didn’t—”
I shot him a glare and his nostrils flared. “Fine. Chaperoned.”
Bendar rolled his head around, crumbs cascading down his rusty beard. “You no chaperone.”
“Yes, but—”
Bendar quirked his head. “Need more.”
I sat up and patted Bendar’s hand. “Spoken like a real dad.”
He blushed and waved me away, too modest to accept my praises.
“Captain Paulson, can you tell me why Upper Europe wanted to imprison me, but Middle Europe won’t? Aren’t you allies?”
He sat on the torn fabric chair near the barred window. “It’s complicated. First, you need to understand that, unlike Middle Europe, the Upper Europe Council has maintained the queen as an ally. Unlike UE, we weren’t worth her effort. Plus, by the end of the war, resources had become scarce. That’s changed, of course. Resources have been rebuilt along with our army and navy. However now, ME’s situated in a location where the queen can’t attack us without serious repercussions and grave losses.
“If you look at a map, you’ll see UE is an easy Target. After the queen blew half their country off the map, they chose survival over ideology and freedom. This way, they play both sides, pledging allegiance to the queen and the ENR. It helps that the ENR provides them with necessary supplies. Even so, they don’t have the weapons or manpower to take on the queen. While I believe they desire independence, they aren’t willing to lose more lives and territory to gain it.”
Sadly, having experienced the queen’s rage and retribution personally, I understood UE’s position all too well. “It makes sense. Survival first, everything else second.”
Penton’s head jerked up, and, while he glared at us, his hand never moved from Raeth’s brow. “You’re wrong. It doesn’t make sense. I grew up within a few kilometers of the queen’s council and home, yet I remained true to the Triune. Always ready to serve and fight her evil. The UE lives across an ocean. Certainly, they can fight for what’s right.”
I shook my head at Captain Paulson, warning him to admit defeat on that count. It was useless to argue. Penton had succeeded because he had support for his beliefs. The UE, while across an ocean, had half their country bombed out of existence. Between their experiences and the state Penton was in over Raeth, not to mention Ryder and the rest of us, we needed a restful sleep, not a war of words where no one would win. And, although I didn’t say it, I believed that one day, when it became obvious the Triune and ENR would win, UE would join us. “How about we get some much needed rest and table this discussion for a later time?”
“Good.” Bendar rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. “How find us?”
Captain Paulson relaxed in his chair, his long legs almost touching Ryder’s feet. “Gordon hailed me on a private channel and begged for my return and help. Since he doesn’t beg, I was intrigued enough to return to an ENR secret dock on the coast of UE.”
I quirked an eyebrow at him. “Secret?”
He nodded. “We keep it hidden from the council in case they betray us. Power, the ultimate corrupter.” He paused then sighed. “Gordon explained your situation and had your friend, Dred, transferred to my ship in a box marked toxic. We crossed the channel and I took a small craft while my crew continued to the Arc with Dred.”
I struggled to contain my hope. “Is Dred okay?”
“Yes.” He shook his head. “Not a small man, but weak from being kept unconscious for so long. He was…incensed when he discovered you went off without him.”
Relief surged through me. A part of me had trouble believing Dred was awake and well. Not after months of Mart’s duplicity. Another part of me, the side that lived on hope and love, if only for tonight, greedily grasped at the news. “I can only imagine.” Grinning, I curled into Ryder’s side and rubbed my nose against his chest, receiving a warm soft chuckle in return.
From beneath half-closed eyelids, I spotted a bruise as the captain ru
bbed his throat. “The bruise. Dred?”
“Yes. I had to talk fast. Unfortunately, I’m out of practice. I’m used to being able to charm people into believing me. Not with him, though. Even after all those months of being unconscious, his abilities were strong.”
I started to laugh and Ryder soon joined me. “No one’s gift works on or around Dred, unless he allows it.” Still snickering, I said, “Thank you for your help. I can’t begin to express how happy I’ll be once we’re all together again.” I snuggled closer, trying to crawl inside Ryder as his hand stroked my back. At Bendar’s low snore and Ryder’s gentle caresses, I relaxed for the first time in hours. Until morning light, we were stuck together and safe.
Yet, something still troubled me. “Why are you helping us?”
Paulson slid from the chair onto the floor. “You’re the Triune.”
“So, you’re a believer?”
He removed his military coat and folded it. “Of course, we’ve been waiting years for you to arrive. We were promised you’d come. Somehow, some way, you’d make it to the Arc. It was the Triune’s destiny and nothing would stop it.” He stretched out on the floor and placed the folded coat under his head. “Of course, there were unbelievers. They wanted to return to war years ago, but it would’ve been suicide. We hadn’t recovered, let alone rebuilt from the last war. And when the queen carpet-bombed the region with her toxic weapons, gun running stopped. It’s only in the last six months we’ve recovered sufficiently to utilize our new undersea vessels and acquire much needed weapons.”
“And now, do the people who decide if I’m friend or foe believe in the Triune?”
“Yes, of course. If not, they soon will.”
“You mentioned you were promised the Triune would arrive at the Arc. How could anyone know that? Until a few months ago, we didn’t know of its existence.”
The captain stared at the ceiling. “That’s irrelevant. Our leader knew you’d make it.”
“Who? What leader?”
“Harrison. Your father.”
I shot upright, jarring Ryder. “What are you talking about? You know my father?”
“Yes, of course. He’s the leader of the rebellion. He’s the man who charged me with finding you and to ensure you remained safe from the Wasters.” He closed his eyes, ignoring the heat exploding from me, warming the room to tropic temperatures in seconds.
As Ryder countered my heat with his cold, I inhaled slowly and reasserted control over my gift. “When did you….how did you speak to him?”
“Huh?” he slurred, almost asleep.
“Where is he? Is he far away? Will I be able to speak to him, see him?”
Ryder squeezed me tight against him, his comfort calming my increasing apprehension.
“Tomorrow at the Arc.”
Chapter Twenty-One
I finally fell asleep as dawn lightened the sky. Less than thirty minutes later, I woke to Ryder’s soft kisses.
As quickly as my mood improved, it died when he said, “You’ll see your father soon.”
He believed my rough night was due to excitement over seeing my father for the first time in over ten years. Unfortunately, that wasn’t true. In the quiet, while everyone slept, I replayed my life and realized I didn’t know my father, the man called Harrison. In truth, I had no factual memories of him. And that terrified me. Sure, he’d served the Neumarians his entire life and led them in the Great War. He was still leading them. But that didn’t change the fact he’d abandoned me to the tender mercies of the queen.
Now, I was faced with meeting my father. Everyone expected a reunion with a loving daughter. Yet, here I lay, barely able to contain my raging anger. Fear that when I saw him I’d melt every piece of metal within a kilometer prevented me from losing control.
Pushing myself upright, I watched Bendar leap off the couch. His gaze caught mine. Quickly averting my eyes, I checked on Raeth. But I knew he’d seen my outrage and struggle to prevent my gift from running wild. But then, he saw everything.
Bendar, the engine rat, hadn’t abandoned me. Instead, as any loving father would, he’d followed me onto the queen’s torture chamber of a ship. He’d raised me, protected me, shown me unconditional love. I was the most important person in his life. And because of that, he understood me better than anyone alive, even Ryder. As for Harrison, he only knew what the reports had told him. And they weren’t me.
Locking my rampaging emotions behind an iron wall of control, I stood and faced Bendar and Penton. “How’s Raeth?”
“Struggle. Pain. Must listen.” Bendar took my hand, his eyes pleading with me to keep an open heart.
“What struggle?” Ryder asked, pressing his hand to Raeth’s forehead.
Grinning, Penton raised his blood shot eyes and stared at me. “She’s still unconscious, but her fever broke hours ago. I’m sure she’s going to be perfect, like she was before,” he said in a choked voice.
I closed my eyes then opened them and returned Penton’s smile, while ignoring Ryder’s question. How could I explain Bendar had meant me, not Raeth.
As if intuitively understanding I needed his touch, Ryder pulled me against him and rubbed my shoulders, kissing the nape of my neck. If only we could be alone. Maybe we could once we reached the Arc…after I dealt with Harrison.
A quick glance at Bendar’s sad and disappointed expression and I nodded, receiving a smile in return. Through the years, the nod that wasn’t a nod had been our signal that I’d promised to honor his suggestion, in this case, his heartfelt request.
Sighing, I faced the solid metal door. The captain stood ready to leave. “Put Raeth’s mask on. Make sure it doesn’t leak and let’s head out. If we hurry, we might make the Arc before the sky overcasts.” After a final stare to ensure we followed his order, he slipped his own mask over his head, adjusted the silver and gold rimmed goggles, and slipped a breather over his mouth.
With alacrity, we pulled on our protective gear and moved toward the door. Paulson pressed his hand against a panel. A moment later, the locking mechanism clicked and the door groaned, as if in disagreement, until it suddenly sprang open.
Once we exited, Paulson repeated the process, securing the safe house. “Time to move. Sun’s up, but promises storms later in the day and we don’t want to stick around,” he said, the mask muffling his voice and making it sound artificial, similar to the machines on the queen’s ship.
As much as I dreaded meeting Harrison by the end of the day, I didn’t want to stay here. I took a deep breath. I wasn’t a small child. I’d become a warrior, a leader, and was one of the Triune. It was time I faced my past, my real past, and discovered why he chose the Neumarian rebellion over his daughter.
Ryder took my hand. “I’ll be with you. You’re my love and I’ll never leave your side.” His voice, filtering through the breather, sounded raspy, foreign. But his touch and closeness calmed me, his cold counterbalancing my hot. And I knew every word he’d said was true. He’d be with me no matter what happened or where we were.
As my fear and anger bled into the ground beneath us, I said, “I know,” hoping he heard the smile in my voice.
Penton moved forward, following the captain, then stumbled.
“I’ll carry her.” Ryder started to slip his arm under Raeth’s legs, only to have Penton clutch her close to his chest, shaking his head.
“No. She’s mine to care for.”
Ryder clapped his hand over Penton’s shoulder. “I know you love her, just as I do Semara. I won’t try to keep you apart, but there’s room for both of us in her life. You were up all night and you’re exhausted. Since we both want what’s best for her, let’s take turns.”
My chest warmed at his words. That took a lot for Ryder to say out loud.
Penton held tight. “I’ll take first shift.”
Ryder nodded, and relinquished Raeth to his care. “We’ll trade every hour. That way neither of us will be overtaxed.”
I looped my arm through his, holding hi
m back a bit. “I’m proud of you,” I whispered.
“Don’t be. Just didn’t want him holding my sister so close all day.” His eyes revealed the truth, but the big brother in him refused to admit he’d released Raeth into another’s care, if only for a short while. His promise to his parents upon their death meant he’d functioned as her father, mother, and brother. He’d filled those roles since she was a toddler, and I suspected it wouldn’t be easy for him to step aside and give her the freedom she wanted and needed.
I glanced up at him, and seeing his scowl, I patted his arm. “Of course, you don’t,” I said then pulled free and trotted toward the captain.
“I mean it,” Ryder called out behind me.
I only flicked my wrist, dismissing his words as I joined Bendar and Penton. The captain was only a few meters ahead. Seeing the sun burning through the mist in several spots reassured me we were safe from the Wasters…for now.
“The morning sun is the strongest, so we shouldn’t encounter any Wasters,” Paulson said. “Mornings are also when the sea is its calmest, the safest time to travel to the boat.”
As reassuring as his words were, when Paulson eased his gun from his holster, a tremor rippled through me.
Then I looked at Bendar, stomping his way forward, his gun also drawn.
Slithery voices snaked into my mind from my implant.
Food. Hunger.
So much for the Wasters being dormant during the day. Shivering, I wrapped my arms around me.
Ryder clutched me to him. “Hear something?”
“Yes. Wasters. They want their breakfast.”
He pulled me to the front of our line. “The Wasters are talking to Semara again, Captain.”
“Hunger, Food?”
“Yes. And it’s increasing,” I whispered as we gathered together.
“Let’s move,” the captain ordered. “Penton, Ryder’s turn.”
Ryder took Raeth and hoisted her over his shoulder. At Penton’s scowl, Ryder said, “It’s easier to carry someone like this. Carried you like this last night. The weight’s more balanced and it isn’t as trying.”