by SJ Moquin
“I know that. Now. But…” She drew in a shaky breath, gathering courage to continue. “What do you want from me, Raiden? Was it just forgiveness? Friendship?” Raiden’s eyes softened as the flustered words left her lips.
“What do I want, Gwelle?” He chuckled as he repeated her question. “You. It’s always been you. I knew from the time we were kids you were the only girl for me.” Gwelle’s insides flamed and melted at his sweet words. Raiden reached a hand out, tucking a strand of her long, dark hair behind her ear before trailing his finger down her neck.
“Why did you wait so long to come back into my life? And then you kissed me but haven’t again.” He chuckled. The deep, throaty laugh sent tingles racing up her spine.
“I waited until I knew the time was right. You were hurting. If I’d pushed you to forgive me two and a half years ago while we were still on Deliverance and everything around us was the same, it would have only made things worse. You’re the stubbornest girl I’ve ever met. And the night I kissed you, I didn’t plan to. It just happened. And I promised myself when I got another chance, I wouldn’t rush you. I’d let you come to me because you wanted to.” Gwelle thought more about his words before closing the space between them.
Last time he’d kissed her, but this moment was hers. Every reason they shouldn’t be together fled from her mind as she gave in to the secret feelings she’d held onto for as long back as she could remember. And obviously, the boy she’d crushed on had held onto the same feelings as well. If only she’d not let her stubborn pride steal so much time from them. Raiden tugged her closer, deepening the kiss, his arms holding her close. Gwelle jerked away when she heard footsteps in the foyer. She remembered where they were and why they’d met there.
The white head of the shepherd came into view just as the couple settled apart on the back row. The smile on his weathered face broadened, noticing them. He paused in his trek towards the front, walking closer to where they sat.
“Gwelle, Raiden, what a pleasure to see you both! Is there something I can help you with? If I’d known, I’d have come in earlier.”
“Oh, no. We just…” Gwelle faltered over the words not sure how to explain what they were doing using the sacred place as a meeting spot. Especially after remembering what she and Raiden had been doing moments prior to the good shepherd’s arrival.
“We’re sorry to have helped ourselves to the use of the haven, but we needed someplace quiet to talk in private, away from all that.” Raiden waved a hand in the direction of the marketplace which would be picking up traffic about now. The older man turned his kind blue eyes from Raiden to her. They peered as if searching her soul, his brow crinkled in thought.
“You are welcome here any time. And if I can help, be sure to let me know.” His words were warm and kind, full of love. She knew the older man meant them, but whatever they’d walked into couldn’t be fixed with a talk or sermon. She wasn’t even sure the extent of the trouble they’d found. She smiled up at the shepherd thanking him for his kindness as she and Raiden walked back outside.
“I need to head back to work,” she murmured.
“I don’t like the thought of you being alone.”
“I won’t be alone. There’s a whole lab full of people there by now and I can’t keep taking advantage of the fact Wyn likes my mother.”
“I still don’t like it,” Raiden said with a frown. Stopping in front of the lab, he sighed looking down at her upturned face. “I’ll meet you here when you get off and walk you home.”
“You don’t have…”
“I want to. And not to just keep you safe.”
“I’d like that.” Gwelle’s heart skipped a beat as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She hadn’t planned to fall in love with him again. She hadn’t planned any of the craziness her life had become. But she was thankful Raiden had come back despite everything that had happened since.
Feeling better than when she left, Gwelle pulled away from Raiden’s arms just as a loud explosion sounded in the distance. Looking out over the horizon where Varax’s thick forest surrounding Nova-Zera gave way to rolling hills, a ball of fire rolled into the sky. Its billowy red and orange flames rose to meet the clouds in a savage embrace.
Chapter Nineteen
Unexpected
Raiden stumbled down the steps, his eyes not leaving the fireball that filled the southern sky. Gwelle’s hand shook. It covered the gasp which left her mouth. What could have made an explosion that big?
“What was…”
“The patrol.” Raiden’s voice shook, a hollow sadness echoing in the two simple words.
“You mean, the patrol you were supposed to be on?” Gwelle hurried to his side and looked up into his ashen face. He nodded. First her warning and then this. If she hadn’t gone looking for him… She didn’t want to complete that thought, not even to herself. Raiden’s face was blank, impassive for a moment before he blinked. Then it crumbled. He shook his head, unshed tears forming in his eyes, his mouth turned down.
“None of this makes sense.”
“You mean, the files and Kana and Rix?” Gwelle asked, a cold stealing inside her, clutching at her heart.
“Not just that. But everything. The cave, the dire lyx attack in an area marked off-limits as their hunting territory, the visions you’re seeing, and now the warning…” His voice trailed off as if the word warning awoke some long-buried alarm. He glanced around. The area was clear of traffic since most colonists had already started working for the day.
“You think this is all connected?” Gwelle asked, her voice growing softer despite the scream she felt bubbling up in her throat needing an escape.
“We need to go.” Raiden grabbed her hand and led her away from the science lab. At first, she stumbled along behind him, not sure he knew where they were going. He weaved and bobbed in and out of paths and grassy areas behind rows of houses. Glancing a few times over his shoulder, he continued an erratic path around the perimeter of Nova-Zera.
“Where are we going?”
He didn’t answer. His fingers remained firmly gripped around hers until they rounded a corner, and he pressed her flat against the side of the house. It wasn’t until she heard pounding at the front that she realized they were at his house. Someone was looking for him. He pressed a finger to his lips, motioning for her to be quiet and to stay where she stood. Her heart raced, its erratic rhythm beating against her chest, trying to escape its confines. Every nerve and muscle pulsed and tingled in concert, its beat wanting her to move, to run, to do something, anything but stand there watching him creep to the other end of the small house.
She watched as he peeked around the front corner. Several long seconds passed before he turned back towards her. His feet whispered over the grass, barely making a sound as he shook his head. She didn’t risk asking a question until they were several rows over and then she still whispered.
“Who was it?”
“Commander Corsin.”
“What? Why would the commander come all the way to your house?”
“I don’t know, but with the two other protectors in tow, it didn’t look good. I… I don’t know, but I’m not going back until I figure out what’s going on.”
“Commander Corsin… do you think…” Gwelle couldn’t speak the atrocity her mind was whispering inside her head.
“He had anything to do with the files?” She nodded.
“I don’t know. He was very interested in that region once we came back from the expedition. I didn’t say anything, but he called me back in later that same day and had me repeat our escape route on the map. And… he was the one who put me on that patrol today. My schedule was originally to patrol the north side of the wall until he called me in early this morning. Something’s not adding up, and I need to figure out what. Maybe you should…”
“Don’t even suggest it. I’m in this with you. Remember?” Raiden’s lips turned up softly at her stern words. “Maybe we should go check on Kana and Rix.”
He nodded and looked around. “You’re right, but we need to be careful until I can find out exactly what happened to that patrol and why the commander was looking for me.” Gwelle understood. As much as it pained her to say, there was someone inside Nova-Zera wanting to hurt them, maybe kill them. And she needed to warn her mom and make sure Kana and Rix were kept safe as well.
They hadn’t gone far, no more than a few houses towards the business district of Nova-Zera, when she noticed movement to her left. A silver-blonde head of hair sped past, ducking out of sight behind a couple trees blocking her view. Jexxa came back into view closer to the outer edge of the colony. There was no doubt in Gwelle’s mind, by the speed and purpose of her gait, that the girl was headed for the fence again, this time in broad daylight. She bit her lip a moment before tugging at Raiden. He slowed, casting her a confused look until he noticed the same thing she did.
It only took a moment for Raiden to make his decision as he looked to where they were heading, and then back at the girl who was now almost out of sight. Jexxa wove her way quicker and quicker towards the forest surrounding this side of Nova-Zera. Gwelle bit back the retort which sprung to the tip of her tongue when Raiden switched course, now running after the strange girl they’d chased through the dark that one night. It seemed so long ago now but had only been weeks before. The fact she’d been right that night did make her feel better, even if she didn’t vocalize it.
They reached the walled fence where they’d seen Jexxa slip through moments before with no problems. A patrol passed by just before they’d crossed the open space between the rows of houses and the large fence. Gwelle fidgeted as she climbed through hoping the protectors didn’t turn around and spot them. Raiden pointed towards an almost undetectable path between several large, leafy plants. Gwelle stayed close, letting Raiden follow the girl’s trail, trying hard not to think about the last time she was outside the gates.
Her head spun as they raced after Jexxa. Twice they’d seen her enter the forest. On top of everything else that had happened over the past few weeks, this was something they had to do. At least solving this mystery would help bring some closure to the craziness that had become her life, she thought, shoving aside the nausea rolling over her in waves. Up ahead, Jexxa’s pale hair fluttered in sight for a moment before disappearing into the midst of thick trees again. Raiden reached out and grabbed her hand as the terrain became rolling. The forest thickened as birds sang in the treetops. Small creatures chittered overhead dropping seeds in a tinkling symphony of sound around them.
Branches of shrubs and saplings slapped against her arms and legs as they rushed to keep up with the girl who bobbed in and out of sight. Gwelle swore she’d seen Jexxa look at them a moment ago before she disappeared down a small incline. If she knew they were following her, why run unless she had something to hide? Raiden slid on the soft soil, pulling her along with him as they entered another hollow. Trees cast their shade over the small clearing and blocked most of the sun from reaching this deep in the forest.
“Where to now?” Gwelle whispered, looking around. She didn’t want to turn back, not this time.
“I’m not sure.” Raiden turned taking in the loose soil, trying to find a clue for where they needed to go next. A twig snapped just as the bushes near the end of the small dell parted. Jexxa stepped through, a soft smile on her face. Her flaxen hair blew in the small breeze as she stepped closer, not saying anything until Raiden spoke up.
“Jexxa, what are you doing OTG?”
“I could ask you the same, couldn’t I?” Her words were soft, teasing, but gave no clue as to what her thoughts or intentions might have been.
“I’ve seen you enter the forest twice now. It’s not safe out here.”
Jexxa turned towards Gwelle, the look on her face softening, almost like a patronizing parent to a child who didn’t understand what they were saying.
“I assure you, Gwelle, I am very much at home out here. Almost as much as you. You’ve grown attached to the plants and nature of this world. You even care for it, don’t you?” The odd question took Gwelle by surprise. She glanced at Raiden who stood a couple paces ahead of her, protective and alert.
“I love Varax very much. What’s not to love? It’s fascinating, magical even.” Gwelle wasn’t sure what made the word magical spew from her lips, especially as she had stopped believing in make-believe and fairy tales long ago. Jexxa’s smile widened. Her vivid blue eyes seemed to glow, reminding her again how very like the cave walls they looked.
“Magic. Not quite, but I suppose to your kind it could be considered that.” Raiden stiffened as every hair on Gwelle’s head stood on end.
“What do you mean our kind, Jexxa?” Raiden’s deep, stiff voice questioned.
“There’s much to share with you. But I had to get you away from the colony first. You weren’t safe there.” Time stopped as Raiden, Gwelle, and Jexxa stared at each other. The girl who had been quiet, but friendly enough, now turned cryptic, mysterious, and a bit terrifying, if Gwelle was being honest. She had so often pushed the boundaries as a child, fear became common place inside her. Anyone looking on would think she was fearless. She’d heard her mother say it more than once in frustration. But the truth be told, fear curled up inside Gwelle, pushing her, urging her forward. If not for fear and the need to prove it wrong, she would not have had quite so many adventures growing up.
“Jexxa, have you been trying to warn me for a while now? At the falls, in the tree, in the marketplace, the night you ran into the forest, on my computer this morning?” Jexxa smiled shyly at Gwelle, again not saying anything right away.
“I wasn’t supposed to interfere. Just observe. And I did at first. But I wanted to know more about both of you having heard your names so many times over the years. I slipped into the colony disguised as one of Endeavor’s survivors.”
“Raiden…” Gwelle’s voice felt distant as the forest tilted around her. She reached out just as Raiden steadied her. Shaking the feeling, she saw a concerned look on Jexxa’s face. Knowing there was more they needed to know, she took a deep breath nodding that she was fine.
“I’m sorry to overwhelm you. But there is much you need to know, and I had little time left.”
“Who are you, Jexxa?” This time it was Gwelle who asked the girl standing shyly in front of them.
“I am Jexxa, of the Zanareen.”
“You’re… you’re an alien,” Gwelle blurted as Raiden sucked in a deep breath at the word.
“Actually, you are the… aliens. My people lived in the X’nithin Belt long before your kind existed in the far-off galaxy you hailed from.” Gwelle’s head spun and from the shocked look that hadn’t left Raiden’s face he felt much the same as she did.
“Why were you to observe? Are there others hidden in the colony like you? And why warn us? Warn us about who, your people?” Raiden found his voice a moment later and sent a barrage of questions at the petite girl in front of them. Jexxa didn’t blink, still wearing a soft smile she began answering his questions one by one.
“The elders have reason to believe you are a threat. We were sent to determine if this was true. I am the only one who took on your form, but there are others you cannot see. Gwelle has always sensed their presence, though, correct?” Jexxa turned and gave her a puzzled look. It took a moment to put it together, her mouth dropping in surprise.
“The shimmering in the air. It was you or your people?” Jexxa nodded as she spoke. “But how? You mean, I was the only one who ever noticed?”
“As far as we could tell. You began showing signs of noticing us not long after the observations began, which is one reason I felt it prudent to get to know you better. To find out what made you special, Gwelle Airda. And to warn you. Both of you are in danger.”
“From your people?” Raiden asked, again caution tinting his words.
“No. Maybe. But they aren’t the imminent threat. If I tell them not to attack, they won’t. The threat you face is from wit
hin. Someone wants you both dead and has been trying to make that happen since the expedition. Maybe before, I’m not sure.”
“Wait a minute! You’re telling us you’re an alie… another race of people, and that even though your leaders distrust us they won’t attack on your word alone? What makes you so sure?” Raiden puffed his chest out and stood at full height. Disbelief tinted his words as he replied to Jexxa.
“Because I am their princess. While the generals make the plans, they will never act without my say.” Raiden stared at the girl, and Gwelle gasped. An alien princess?
“But you’re so… young,” she stammered.
“Looks can be deceiving.” The smile returned to Jexxa’s face and while it seemed sincere, there were too many questions clouding Gwelle’s mind to make sense of much at the moment.
“Who would want us dead? Why? What have we done?”
“Have you noticed that this didn’t start until you two began talking again?” Jexxa pointed out.
“She has a point,” Raiden said. Gwelle looked between them for a few seconds before grasping onto something Jexxa said earlier.
“How have you heard our names, Jexxa?” Gwelle’s question was barely above a whisper. Flashes from the cave. Voices she’d overheard, blurred images from the past few days like a foggy memory came back to her. She’d shaken everything off as a dream. A strange dream. There was one voice she remembered, a voice she hadn’t heard in so long that she pushed it aside until now, filing it away in her subconscious only now remembering.