The Iron Altar Series Box Set One: Books 1 to 3

by Casey Lea

  He leaned over to lift her onto the arm of his chair and she settled with a startled squeak.

  “This is amazing,” he said. “In so many ways.” His fronds bristled with excitement. Tell me all.

  Amber fought for one last second, trying to keep her burden to herself where it belonged.

  “Tell me all,” he repeated and she did.

  Even with the easy communion between minds it took nearly an hour to share everything they wanted to and by the end Falkyn was no longer smiling. You mean to sacrifice yourself instead of Darsey?

  Absolutely, Amber returned with unwavering conviction. The Devourer bred her to be the conduit for his next feeding. Her cells are permeated with exotic matter and her DNA carries a base pattern found in all sentients. Her death on the iron altar will drain everyone’s life force into the monster’s crystal. My death instead is hugely preferable.

  His fingers drummed the arm of the chair and he abruptly stood. But why do you need to die? How does that help?

  It helps, because I still share genes with the Devourer. He was one of us, long ago, and at the end of my past life I stole cells from Darsey. Sparrow used their ex-matter infused membranes to make my new body, so if I die on the altar, the monster dies too.

  Falkyn frowned down at Amber and began to pace. “Your plan is unacceptable.”

  “It can work. I've one overwhelming advantage.”

  Falkyn turned at that and his expression was bleak, his gray eyes cold. One better than immortal wisdom, uninterrupted development and utter ruthlessness?

  Indeed. I have surprise. The Devourer thinks I died long ago.

  Is he sure of that?

  Yes, because he killed me. He, ah, cut my throat actually and left me for dead. If my brother hadn't saved me I would have been. So the enemy is certain-sure I'm long gone and has no idea how vulnerable he is. I can do this.

  Falkyn shook his head. No. Never. I won't let you. It's insane and success depends on your death. No. Not happening. We need an alternative.

  Such as?

  I've no idea. I'm no scientist, but you are. Plus you have millennia of experience and knowledge.

  Not truly. You can't cram thousands of lives into a single brain. Not in any form you can easily access. I've got the pruned highlights and that's all.

  It's still more than most and it will be enough. It has to be. Falkyn strode back to the seat and rested a hand on Amber's shoulder. “You’ve saved me twice and I won't lose you.”

  “Then you'll lose everyone else.” She shrugged off his hand and jumped to her feet. Don't you understand? Please don't tempt me. You mustn't pull me from my path-

  Amber stopped and Falkyn studied her closely, before asking “Are you well?”

  Very. I think I'm having an epiphany. The Devourer uses his crystal to drain all the sentient energy his chosen sacrifice has tagged. His present vessel is Darsey IceFlight. Her cells can passage through subspace and he will have made sure they carry the genetic imprint of every sentient species. He can use her to draw all that life through passage space, because his giant gem is an energy sink.

  But what if I reversed the flow? What if I redirected his crystal to something that absorbs power rather than gives it? What if I linked his gem to something that sucks energy even more strongly than it? What if I found a better energy sink? The monster's crystal would be sucked dry and it would finally die.

  Amber reached for Falkyn's hand and started to drag him from the nest, but he followed willingly. “Let’s find a lab,” she gasped. “This giant must have one.” She set off at a most undignified trot, but it was impossible to slow down. Maybe, just maybe there was a way she could destroy the Devourer and still be alive afterwards.

  42

  And Yet So Far

  Darsey wafted across the weightless nest of Nikareon's ship to drift to a halt beside her son. Zak was studying a visual of their journey without expression, but she smiled warmly anyway.

  “You'll like Jace. He's very laid back, but curious about people and places. Easy to talk to. Falkyn is more reserved, but there's a dignity to him and an openness of mind that appeals.”

  Zak simply looked at her and she hid a sigh behind an even broader smile. Babies could be demanding, but it seemed rediscovered adult children were worse. Everything about Zak was hard work and only the fact that he was still here and willing to meet his brothers gave her hope.

  “Jace sounds like me,” a cheery voice observed from behind Darsey and this time she had to hide a scowl. She was even angrier with Nikareon now, than she had been before her son's return. Well, okay that probably wasn't quite true. If it was, then the Beserk would have been a bloody pulp at her feet. So she might not actually hate him as much as before, but her initial relief at Zak's survival had worn very thin where Nikareon was concerned. For all she cared that kidnapping bastard could step through an airlock any time he liked. The way he had prejudiced her son against her made her blood boil.

  She dug very deep and turned to Nikareon with a smile still held in place. “See?” she said breezily. “I told you we could find them without your help.”

  “You were right, but then I suspect you had your son impregnated with cellular trackers long ago. Most smart by the way. You wouldn't want him thinking he could ditch that pesky umbilical cord.”

  Darsey took a deep breath as quietly as she could and ignored the Beserk. No need to tell him she'd resorted to tracers in the new ship she'd sent Jace instead. She pushed away to waft across the bridge and into her cabin without another word. If she couldn't be polite as least she could be restrained. More importantly, she had to keep trying to get through to Wing so she could tell him their son was alive. That definitely needed to be a private conversation.

  Darsey lifted a finger to tap the door into solid mode behind her, but paused when she realized Zak was actually talking. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop, but the temptation to hear her son’s voice was too great. She stepped silently back to stand beside what looked like a door, but was only a visual projection.

  “-you think I want to go home?” her son snarled on the far side. “Do you think I want to return to playing drakked-up family again, all love and loyalty and lies. I'm seriously shitted with you, Patri.”

  “You'll get past it.” Nikareon sounded genuinely amused. “Don't think of it as losing a family, think of it as gaining some influence. There are many advantages to having Darsey as a mother.”

  “Can't think of one. No, wait. You're right. Now it won't bother me being called a son-of-a-bitch, because it's true.”

  Darsey gasped and there was sudden silence on the bridge. She tapped the door, turning it solid, but her hand was shaking and tears pricked at her eyes. How could finding her son hurt so much? Sadly it seemed there was a difference between finding him and actually having him back. She needed to talk to someone in exactly the same situation. She needed her husband.

  Darsey cleared her throat, then ordered her com to tidy her hair and contact Wing again. However, before it could make another attempt, the communication chime sounded. Darsey flicked aside the field styling her hair and looked up with a glad cry. “Wing.”

  “Hi,” a gentle voice replied and Darsey’s smile slipped away. The image in front of her showed a kres female with honey-colored hair and warm brown eyes. Clearwing looked exactly the same as she had the last time Darsey saw her. Her smile was more tentative than usual, but her expression remained as sweet as ever.

  “Sorry,” Clearwing breathed in response to Darsey’s distress. “I know I’m the wrong 'Wing'. This was most likely a mistake.”

  “Clear, wait. It’s good to see you. So good. It’s been way too long.”

  “I know.” They studied each other solemnly.

  “I wanted to call,” Darsey finally said, “but I was too scared.”

  A gasp of laughter escaped Clear. “You were scared? Not truly.”

  “Truly. I’m very bad at apologies.”

  “Oh.”

 
; Darsey drew herself upright. “I’m sorry I was so angry the last time we spoke. I didn’t understand. Free finally made me see I was judging you as if you were human and it wasn’t fair. I’ve been sorry about that for a long time.”

  Clear smiled hesitantly. “Me too. You need to know I truly wanted to stay with Free. The friendship we four shared was special and I never meant to end it, but kres bonding makes no allowance for such things.”

  “I think I understand. I'm just sorry I let my ignorance come between us. Friends again?”

  “Always.” They smiled at each other and silence fell, but only briefly. “Actually, I need your help, Darse. I came looking for you once I heard you weren't at home. I hoped you'd know where Misty is. Unfortunately, I asked too many questions while trying to find you and I've been placed in the brig.”

  “What? Whose brig?”

  Clear leaned forward and her voice fell. “Jileea's. I'm on the Wildflower and I've hacked into its systems to make this call.”

  Darsey tried to keep a straight face, but it was impossible. She started laughing and Clear soon joined her. After a minute of release they managed to sober, but Darsey felt more relaxed then she had for a long time. “Clear, I'm so sorry. Jileea can be a little extreme, especially when it comes to me. Can you put me through to the nest?”

  “Certain-sure.” Clear's image flickered and then another face appeared over it.

  Jileea was curled up in her captain's chair, with her legs draped over one of its arms. She looked as happy as a cat in the sun.

  “Jileea,” Darsey purred and her friend shot from the seat. Unfortunately the Wildflower was in space and its Captain rocketed across the nest with her legs and arms flailing. She was so shocked it took several seconds to regain control of her body.

  When she finally pushed away from the far wall she was wearing her usual unconcerned grin. “Hey, boss. Where did you come from?” She shot her communications officer a look, but he shook his head.

  “Your prisoner put me through,” Darsey said.

  Jileea pulsed herself back to her chair and dropped into its gravity well. She settled again with a happy sigh. “I had to lock her up, boss. She was plastering your name all over the Rim. We can't have people knowing you're out here.”

  “I take your point, Jil, but the brig?” The mermaridian squirmed in her chair at Darsey's tone. “Put Clear in your best quarters, extend her every courtesy and follow this trace to bring her to me.”

  “Sure. Do you want chocolates on her pillow too?”

  Darsey stared Jileea down without difficulty. “Of course and I'm sure an apology would be appreciated.”

  “Boss!”

  Darsey clenched her jaw and Jileea's protest faded away. “Thanks, Jil, but first would you put me back to Clear?”

  The exchange was made as soon as Darsey asked and Clear's image looked up from a data feed. “Is Jileea going to let me go free? Or some such?”

  “Of course she is, but what are you doing out here, Clear?”

  Her old friend's expression grew wistful. “The same as you naturally. I'm searching for my child. Misty shouldn't be on the Rim at all. Most certainly not during a war.”

  “You're right, you're so right. I just wish Wing agreed. I'm going to rendezvous with Jace and Misty now.”

  “I thought it likely you'd be able to find them. Can I come too?”

  “Absolutely. I've already sent the tracer frequency so you can find their ship. Clear, this is perfect. I've got some awesome news, but it's turned out to be awful too. A reunion that's going all... scary.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Alright.” Darsey clasped her hands tightly. “My son is still alive.”

  “I'm certain-sure he is.”

  “No, not Jace. I mean, he is, I'm sure, but so is Zak, I mean Devyn. Wait. Let me start from the beginning-”

  A communicator chime interrupted Darsey and another image appeared. “Wing!”

  Clear smiled at Darsey's delight. “Call me back,” her friend said and disappeared. Nightwing's image expanded to fill Darsey's bedroom and the couple looked at each other for a long time. “Hi,” she finally managed, breaking the spell, because her news was too important to wait.

  “Hey,” he answered. “I'm sorry I've been hard to contact.”

  “That's okay, I understand. Meetings, schedules, a pesky war.”

  Wing laughed and Darsey's heart jumped. She loved to make her husband laugh. He had a sexy-as-hell smile too and she had news that was guaranteed to get a grin. “Wing, I wouldn't bother you, but something wonderful has happened. Perhaps you should sit down.”

  His brow creased, but he obediently perched on the edge of his bedroom console. “I'm sitting to receive wonderful news?”

  “It's unexpected. Love, I've met our son. Devyn. Well, that's not his name now. He's Zakareon, which sucks, but I can make myself use Zak, because it's what he's used to and it's really, truly him. The twin we lost. The DNA is-”

  “You found him. Is he well? Was he with Nikareon? How did you do this?” Wing was on his feet, laughing with delight, but something had caught in Darsey's throat, choking any explanation.

  “What... what did you say?”

  “I said this is awesome. Beyond delight. How did you find him when you weren't even looking? Is he well?”

  Darsey's jaw set, but she managed to force out words. “He's fine. But you didn't wait to hear if his DNA was a match. Never exclaimed in shock either. No, you said 'you found him'. Wing, did you know our son wasn't dead?”

  The laughter fell from her husband's face. He leaned back against the console and stretched his arms to either side for support. Were his hands shaking? Darsey certainly hoped so, because hers were. “Darse, I can explain.”

  “Really?”

  “Truly.” Wing stopped and leaned forward again. He pushed both hands through his hair. “Gods. Yes, alright, I knew Nikareon hadn't killed him.”

  Air exploded from Darsey's lungs as if she’d been punched in the gut. Wing was on his feet again, reaching out for her, forgetting they were light years apart. And not just physically. How could he betray her like this? How could he hide such a thing? “He's my son too.”

  “I know, I know. It’s just, I couldn't find him and I didn't want you to suffer through a hunt that might well be useless. You were happy raising Jace and I didn't want to destroy that. I couldn't hurt you-”

  “You think hope would have hurt me?”

  “Uncertainty would have. You can't imagine what it was like.”

  “Can't imagine?” It was Darsey's turn to move forward, crowding into Nightwing's image. “I thought my baby was dead and you never told me I was wrong. I could have helped with the search. I might have had some luck, or even been drawn to him. You don't know. It was about saving my child and I could have helped. Do you think I care how painful it might have been? His chances would have been better and that's all that matters. How could you lie to me? About this?”

  Wing was pale and leaning on the console again. “I never lied. I just didn't tell you that I was seeking more than Nikareon.”

  “A lie of omission is still a lie. Don't try to call back. I can't stand looking at you.”

  “I'm sorry, my-”

  Darsey cut the contact before he could apologize. She didn't want to hear it. There was no way they could get past something like this. Not easily. She sank to the floor and slumped there, staring blankly at the rug. She didn't know if she could get past this at all.

  43

  Careful What You Wish For

  Amber's hands trembled and the data above her wrist wavered too. The results were ready and they were good. She stopped squinting through her fingers and opened her eyes fully to absorb the figures. They were more than good, they were awesome. The energy absorption was beyond her best hopes. This could do it. This could empty the Devourer's crystal before he had a chance to drain all sentient life. This could save everyone.

  “Looks good,” Falkyn observ
ed and she had to agree.

  She nodded a finger, too scared to say the words out loud. Was this really a chance for her to survive? To have a life? She risked another look and the figures were still stable. Sacrificing the last-but-one piece of her necklace and exposing it to rotating dimensional portals had been worth it. Something had formed on that crystal shard almost immediately. Something drawn through passage space from another dimension and that something was now big enough to be seen with the naked eye.

  Amber and Falkyn both leaned closer to the security field. A layer of frost was forming in the secure chamber, feathery crystals spreading from the fully drained crystal. The dull gem was soon a shadow, lost in a block of ice. She rested her forehead on the protective field, which felt cold against her bare skin. “The energy absorption is incredible.”

  “So this is success?” Falkyn wondered.

  “I think so, yes. The figures are amazing. You were right.” Amber hugged herself tightly. Breathe, girl, breathe. She searched for her professional mask and her face grew still. “This offers some hope.”

  “No. This is past hope, this is perfect. You can finally relax, Amber. Just relax and feel.”

  Amber blinked and tried to follow Falkyn's thoughts. “Feel what?”

  “Joy, relief, fear, triumph. Everything.”

  “That sounds exhausting.”

  “But worth it.”

  Amber laughed with delight and her breath emerged as a fine fog. Oh no. That definitely wasn’t right.

  “What’s wrong?” Falkyn asked and his words hung in front of Amber, as part of a chill new world filled with mist. This could be worse then she'd feared.

  They both turned back to the secure lab alcove and the cold hit them like a fist. “Ug,” she shuddered, “that's an energy sink alright. I don’t understand how it’s drawing energy through a security field, but it is. I’ll send it back where it came from.”