Evangeline cursed her father’s bad timing.
“People of Everleigh and surrounding friends,” he started. His loud voice boomed off the surrounding buildings.
“Our world is a young world. This celebration marks the three hundred and fiftieth year since its creation.” People cheered as the General continued the story of the world Mir.
“Our creators, a humble group of scientists, engineered this world as an ideal planet for the study of science and the advancements of technology. And though our advances are unmatched, the creators also taught us much about principles of peace, equality, happiness and prosperity.” The crowd cheered and the general waited for them to quiet down. “We came from a world before this one. Our creators gave us much knowledge of how to live to be happy. It was their wish to raise up an unselfish, and honorable people. They wanted a kind of people that would contribute great things to benefit the worlds around us. For hundreds of years we found honor in living that way.
“But today, corrupt beliefs have crept into our society. There is one specific to our world who claims that happiness lays with her teachings. Holding herself above all others, her cunning will make you believe she is right. But she takes! With promises she will never keep. By giving power to another you take it from yourself until soon you have nothing at all.
“The war we wage isn’t a new war or single to our home,” pausing he looked across the crowd. “It’s an ancient war. The battle between good and evil, freedom and captivity,” he spoke with no fear, unafraid of the truth.
“We need to keep fighting the darkness sweeping our world. We need to keep fighting for our liberty, our homes and our children. Everleigh is the last stronghold of the resistance. But we will keep fighting. May we always remember what’s worth fighting for.”
The crowd cheered. Several shouted the General’s name as music began to play. She loved this party. As worried as she felt about Gideon, she couldn’t help but smile as she watched the happy crowd. Citizens dressed in their finest clothes danced on the square. Her father often told her how lucky Everleigh was that they still had trade with other worlds at The Port. They suffered very little in Everleigh despite the war. She looked down at herself. She still wore her clothes from this morning. Making a sudden decision, she ran inside the citadel towards her room to change. Running up the stairs to the second floor she turned down the hall that housed both her room and Gideon’s. Passing Gideon’s room first, she heard his voice behind the closed doors. Her own room was only a few doors away; she’d change and wait for him to go back to the party.
Entering her room she walked towards the wall adjacent to the door where her dress hung. She loved the lace party dress she and her mother had picked up for her earlier that week. With a full skirt that landed just below her knee, its square neck and quarter length sleeves left her feeling elegant and classy. The pale pink ribbon wrapped around her waist gave it the finishing touch. Evangeline studied her reflection in the mirror. She felt grown up in the sophisticated dress and a lot more feminine than the loose pants and shirts she usually wore. She raised her hands to her hair, trying to tame the kinks poking out at odd angles. Finding a headband, she pushed the sun bleached frizz away from her face and smoothed it down. Smiling at the result, she slipped her feet into her pink flat shoes and slid out her bedroom door.
As she walked down the hall to Gideon’s room. Gideon and his dad’s angry voices resonated behind the door. The intensity of the conversation stopped her mid-step.
“Dad, they’re our family.”
“No, I’m your family.” His angry voice echoed. “Don’t lose everything over your boyhood love for a little girl.”
“Are you even listening to yourself father? “
“This matter is done, Gideon. Don’t become a consequence of your own stupidity.”
Footsteps grew close to the other side of the door. Shuffling backwards, Evangeline pretended to just arrive, and as the door opened she still stood a few strides away.
Captain Merak eyed Evangeline with a look that froze her in her tracks. He yelled back to Gideon, “You leave tomorrow. The Academy is awaiting your arrival.” As he marched past her, she felt cold oozing from his soul. A shiver slid down her spine.
***
Her eyes whipped to Gideon’s. He stood, arms crossed over his chest, staring into the empty space his father had just left.
“Gid,” her worried voice chimed.
Gideon readjusted his eyes to where she stood. Walking toward her he grabbed her hand and without a word started walking down the hall.
“Military Academy? He’s sending you away?” Evangeline’s eyes filled with tears. “Off planet?”
His steps stretched long and Evangeline found herself skipping every few steps to keep pace with him as they made their way down the main stairs to the entry. The silence was killing her. Why wasn’t he answering?
“Gideon,” she cried. “Talk to me.”
Gideon pulled her to a stop. “Eves, listen to me,” he snapped. He looked fierce, like a warrior ready for battle. Grabbing both of her shoulders, he turned her so they faced each other. “I can’t tell you. Eves, I can’t talk about what’s going on, or me leaving or anything, so please don’t ask.”
Evangeline took a step back. Tears threatened to fall. Looking down at her feet she regained her composure. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Gideon questioned.
“I don’t understand what’s going on with you, Gideon,” she took his hand, “but I trust you, and if you say you can’t talk about it, I won’t ask you again.”
Gideon didn’t reply. She studied him from the corner of her eye as they walked back to the celebration. Whatever had happened in his short absence had changed him.
“Gideon,” Evangeline whispered. “If you’re really leaving for the Academy tomorrow, I’m going to miss you.”
Gideon’s step faltered, and he gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m going to miss you too.”
Chapter Five
They walked in silence to the square. Shadows of wavy movement caught Evangeline’s eye. Her heart leapt as she saw the alley filled with darkly dressed bodies, each pressing itself into the shadows.
“Hey Gid, what are they doing?” she turned towards Gideon in time to see his face fall flat. Wild with apprehension, he started scanning the square. She matched his actions. Something didn’t feel right. Where was her father? Turning away from Gideon, Evangeline searched the crowd for her father.
Turning back towards Gideon, the spot he’d been standing in lay empty. Gideon was gone. Dread grabbed at her as images from her recent vision flooded her memory. She needed to find Gideon. To find Gideon, then tell her father. Running over to a hidden alcove cushioned deeply in the side of her citadel home, Evangeline climbed on a bench. Turning, she skimmed the crowd for Gideon. Her heart pounded. She forced herself to keep her breathing even.
Her dad stood on the podium with Gideon’s father behind him. Turning toward his friend, his face went pale. Commander Zeke started walking toward her father, his hands behind his back.
Then she saw Gideon, pushing his way through the crowd towards the podium.
A terror-filled shriek pierced the crowd coming from near the podium. Evangeline started shaking and she strained to see the cause.
A reflection of light drew her eye towards the Commander, and Evangeline watched in horror as Zeke plunged a knife into her father’s heart.
The General collapsed to the podium. Zeke raised his left foot, putting his heavy boot on top of the body. Giving the body a sharp kick, he pulled the knife from the lifeless body.
“You are my General no longer,” his cold voice declared.
The shadows Evangeline saw moments before materialized in a great infestation from the alleyways, forming a tight noose-like ring around the frightened citizens. They wore the uniform of the Priestess. Her insignia shined blood red upon their shoulders, circles within circles. They all pointed guns toward the group of helpless ci
tizens.
Jumping from the bench, Evangeline slinked into the darkness of the alcove, watching in panic as two soldiers restrained her mother. Fighting against them her mother kicked and screamed. Zeke walked toward her, hitting her hard across the face. She slumped between the two soldiers, barely conscious.
“And where is your pretty little daughter?” Zeke asked.
Evangeline’s heart knotted. Swallowing hard, she looked at her mom hanging from the arms of her two captors.
“I do not know.” Evangeline’s mother gasped, tears running down her beautiful face. As she lifted her head, Evangeline saw a large lump forming where his fist had connected. Her mother lifted her eyes, searching across the square. “Where is your son Commander?” Her eyes stopped at Evangeline’s hiding place. “Isn’t she with him?”
Without another word Zeke lifted a pistol and issued her Mother’s fatal shot.
“Mother,” Evangeline gasped. Horror shot through her. She collapsed on the bench, shaking.
“Citizens of Everleigh, you are now under the command of The Most Honored Priestess,” Zeke yelled across the square. “Resist and you’ll be terminated.” Turning towards a group of soldiers he added, “Find Evangeline and bring her to me.”
Evangeline froze, her breath sucked from her by his words. Trembling, she pressed herself into the shadows. Shots rang in the air as the citizens of Everleigh started fighting back. The carnage surrounding her made her stomach convulse in pain and she pressed her head against the wall, refusing to look.
“Evangeline,” a whispered voice sounded. “Evangeline, look at me.”
“Suki?” Evangeline turned her head towards the voice.
“You have to get out of here,” Suki whispered sharply.
Evangeline readjusted her gaze. Migel stood next to Suki facing the crowd. His body hiding Evangeline.
“I can’t.” Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as the image of her mother’s death flashed through her mind.
“Evangeline, stop it.” Suki’s said sharply. Shocked by Suki’s tone, Evangeline sat up straight. “Don’t tell me you can’t. You’ve been top of the class in everything since we were children. You certainly can figure this out. You must survive this Evangeline.”
“Hurry,” Migel whispered.
Evangeline blinked back the tears. Suki was right. She could figure a way for them to get out. Years of escape drills under her father’s watchful care went into overdrive. Evangeline started scanning the abominable sight for an escape route. Corralled in the square, the whole town of Everleigh stood imprisoned, every exit from the square patrolled by men with guns. The few citizen of Everleigh with guns were forming a barricade in the center of the square but she knew it was a hopeless cause.
As if divinely guided, Evangeline eyed the towering prisms of the citadel and saw her escape.
“Okay, stay close and follow me,” turning back to Suki and Migel she saw their expressions looking sad yet determined.
Suki stepped forward and enveloped her in a hug. “You’re meant to survive Evangeline.” Without another word, she and Migel started running in the opposite direction, screaming and pointing, drawing the guards’ attention away from her.
Lena stared after them, at first, shocked, and then determined. Slipping off her shoes, her sticky bare feet stuck to the quartz surface of her citadel home. Wedging herself between two pillars, she shimmied to the second floor then again to a third-floor window until she could reach the roof. It took a good minute before someone noticed her swinging herself to the roof and she heard shots fired.
“Don’t kill her! Capture her!” Zeke’s enraged voice screamed from his place on the podium.
Jumping to her feet she burst across the rooftops and into a service door that exited at the back of the citadel. Tripping down the stairway and afraid to look back, she descended as quickly as possible and out the exit on the backside of the citadel.
She turned towards the tree’s by the lake and started running. Bombs exploded behind her. Ash filled her eyes, blocking her sense of direction. She slowed to a stop.
Wiping the grayness from her vision she gazed around to catch her bearings. The once manicured lawns now lay beneath the bombed citadel. Her home. Everleigh, the last town of the resistance fell to pieces around her. Smoke choked her breath. Nearby screams shattered her thoughts.
She turned in a circle. The cave should be through the trees. The trees should be ahead of her. A breeze cleared the air in front of he. Confirming her thoughts, she noticed the circle of lush trees in front of her.
She saw him, eyes scanning the dusty horizon looking for her.
“Gideon” The air around her filled with dust and ash and when she opened her mouth it entered her throat making her voice sound weak. Her voice failed to reach him. She needed to get his attention.
Drawing all her strength, she lifted one foot then the other. Soon she found herself tumbling through the broken ground toward him. Relief consumed her as his eyes locked with hers. He pounded forward meeting her halfway. She felt his arms lock around her small waist, as she buried her face into his chest.
“They’ve attacked,” terror shook her as she lifted her head looking at him with disbelieving eyes. “Your…your father, attacked.”
Holding her closer, his forehead tipped down to touch hers. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to find comfort in his eyes. Leaning back, her mind started registering everything at once. Gideon wore black. The red insignia stood where Evangeline just rested her head.
“Gideon,” her eyes wide open filled with betrayal, she felt as if her very soul tearing in treachery. “What have you done?” she stepped away from him.
“Eves, I’m so, so sorry,” he grabbed her arms.
Mistrust welled inside her. Fear mixed with it. “Let go of me,” she said, her voice just above a whisper. “He sent you, didn’t he?” tears now ran down her face as she backed away from him. “You are the danger, that I couldn’t see right in front of me.”
They both stood staring at each other, as thick smoke swirled around them. Gideon not denying her statement.
The fierce shouts of soldiers grew close. Looking to her left she saw a small band of Everleighans’ fighting off advancing soldiers. Her mind scrambled to find a way to get to them.
“Eves?” Gideon’s voice sounded miserable and she turned her head back towards him to find a gun in his hand pointed at her chest. “I’m so sorry.”
A blast sounded in her ears, as everything slipped into darkness.
Chapter Six
The Priestess’s icy eyes stared at the men seated at the conference table. As she sat on her throne, steps above them, they shifted uncomfortably under her watch, deliberately avoiding her gaze. They focused instead on the holographic maps projected on the table in front of them. There were six men at the table, and one stood by her side.
“Report,” her toneless voice demanded.
A broad-shouldered man sitting in the first chair of the table adjusted in his seat and started the report.
“The resistance is silenced, Most Honored Priestess,” the deep voice declared with a conceited air. The voice belonged to Nagar, one of her first and most fierce followers. “There have been no signs of resistant outbreaks since Everleigh fell. Active soldiers patrol all cities and towns demanding order in your honored name.”
Then, in a voice more charming he added, “ Your hold on this world is unmatched Priestess. You have won the war, fair lady.” Nagar stood and raised his strong arms to his chest, then in a deep bow he added, “You alone are ruler of this world!”
The coldness in her enchanting eyes melted into fire. A serpent-like grin formed on her perfect lips. Her cold beauty demanded the admiration of all in the room. One by one each man rose from his chair and bowed, all bringing their hands to their chests. All but the one who stood unfazed next her. Her first in Command, General Zeke Merak. His arms remained crossed over his chest, his brow furrowed, as he watched the scene before
them.
“And what of the other matter?” The Priestess’s smooth voice intoned, turning to her General.
“Honored Priestess, there have been no signs or sighting of Evangeline.” With a sharp glare, the Priestess looked at Zeke. He cleared his throat but held eye contact with her. “When our agent left her with the tactics team responsible for her capture, she was wounded and unconscious. She couldn’t have gotten far.”
She sneered, “It was my specific request that she be brought to me after the attack,” with an erratic raise in her voice she screamed, “You will find her!”
Raising herself from her chair she showed all of her resonating beauty. Her black gown, trimmed in gold lace, fit her form down to her waist. Flaring just below her hips, it emphasized the darkness surrounding her.
A squeaky voice from a still kneeling man filled her ears. His eyes bore into the ground. He dared not look upon her. His voice trembled. “Priestess, we have won. What damage can one young girl do to one so great as you? Forget her, Most Honored.”
Storming across the stone floor, rage radiated from her eyes. Her slim fingers locked around his throat. Struggling, he grasped at the vice around his neck. Gasping for air, his eyes started bulging. The priestess stood, cold. Hatred gleamed from her eyes. The man stopped struggling and she let him fall heavily to the floor.
The Angel and the Warrior (The Mir Chronicles Book 1) Page 3