The Angel and the Warrior (The Mir Chronicles Book 1)

by Leisa Wallace

  “You had a plane ready,” she said.

  “Ya, per Captains request,” he said, not explaining further.

  It seemed like an eternity before Jonah spoke again, “Man, Lena. When I realized who you were, my heart nearly stopped. You are Evangeline Adhara. The daughter of, General Marcus Adhara. The one the Priestess searches for.”

  “Yes.”

  “How could I not have seen it? I mean your picture is plastered all over every holo in the facility. Nagar and Lucius both figured it out. But me, your boyfriend, had no clue. I feel like such a sucker.”

  Lena felt her heart jump, hearing the word boyfriend. “It’s sometimes hard to see what’s right in front of you,” Lena responded. “Jonah, no one knew. It’s not like I look like I did when I was fourteen.”

  “That’s for sure,” he remarked. “So how did you get to the facility?”

  She looked at him with a sorrowful look.

  “Oh man. Don’t tell me. Gideon.”

  “Gideon,” she replied.

  “Lucius was right, wasn’t he? You two do have a past relationship.” He didn’t need her to answer, but Lena ached for him to understand. “How does Lucius know more about you than I do?”

  “Gideon was my friend as a child. He saved my life. Lucius happened to get the information that pieced it all together,” Lena explained. Jonah looked into the distance, but she could tell he wasn’t listening.

  “I had all the information I needed too, and I still didn’t see who you really were,” Jonah said. The frustration in his voice made Lena wince.

  “Jonah,” she stopped in the shade of a large boulder that was wedged in the fissure. Grabbing his hands, she brought him in front of her. “Gideon and I were friends as children. He saw a way to save me, so he did. And I love him for it.” Jonah didn’t look impressed. “But Gideon and I, we’re nothing. In fact, he has a girlfriend. I don’t think I ever would have gotten through training without you. And just now, you saved me. Without question, you helped us draw the soldiers away from the facility. I will stand here and tell you whatever you want to know. But know this. I choose you. You, Jonah Vernalis, cared for me when no one else saw me.” She paused to catch her thoughts, to plead with the heavens that he’d believe her. “It’s you who makes me laugh, and draws away my stress. Please believe me. It’s you I choose. But you’ve got to trust me.”

  His deep blue eyes swam in sadness, but he reached forward and brushed the sides of her face. Then, when he leaned in for a kiss, Lena longed to be closer and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck. His soft lips grew steadily stronger as he rested his hands on her waist and pushed her against the cool rock.

  Moments or minutes passes. Lena didn’t care. She matched his intensity with an intensity of her own. Slowly he pulled away, his hands still resting lightly on her hips. “I trust you, Evangeline Adhara. It’s a lot to take in. But I trust you.”

  A soft clearing of the throat had them both peeling away from each other. Gideon stood down the ravine, his arms crossed over his chest. “I see you got everything worked out then?” he said, his eyebrows raised.

  “Let me make one thing clear,” Jonah said grabbing Lena’s hand and continuing down the trail. “I trust you, Lena. Not him.” They took a few steps before Jonah asked, “So tell me what happened between the time you were a lifeless shadow on the ground to the time you arrived at the facility. And why we don’t need to be removing your insignia wires,” Jonah questioned.

  “That’s something Gideon will have to tell you. Because I have no idea,” Lena said. “Gid, you up for a story or what?” Lena prodded.

  “Gid? Really. You call the Captain, Gid.”

  Gideon laughed, seemingly enjoying Jonah’s mental torture. “Well, what else would she call the boy who gave her her first kiss?” Gideon yelled from below.

  Lena rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Ignore him. Gid, just get on with it.”

  “Well, Evangeline and I grew up very close. Her father, General Marcus Adhara, and my father worked together for many years to fight against the Priestess. As soon as I was old enough, my father dragged me with him to areas of Resistance. When not with my father, I lived with Evangeline and her parents.”

  “So how did your father get from being a leader in the resistance to the traitor who overthrew it?” Jonah snipped.

  “I’m still not sure. It happened nearly overnight. Our relationship was once open, but a few weeks before the attack on Everleigh, it grew secretive and stressed.

  “I didn’t know the details of my father’s plans on the day of Everleigh’s attack. But I’d heard enough conversations to piece together that something was going to happen.” Gideon scurried further into a crevasse, turning sideways to pass through a small section. “I didn’t know what to do. My father had turned so secretive. The day of the attack, I met with Thora and she confirmed my suspicions.”

  “Thora? As in the servant who Lena worked with?” Jonah questioned.

  “Yes. She’s my aunt. My mother’s sister. And the one person I’d trust with my life. As well as Lena’s,” he explained. “She was going to take me away from my father. I went to pack while she worked out the details. However, my father waited for me in my room, and I ended up pledging my loyalty to the Priestess. It’s when I saw the soldiers, lining the walls of the square, that I realized the magnitude of the things that were happening.”

  “I started running to tell Marcus, only to get a front row seat in his murder,” Gideon said. Lena blinked away the memory. She didn’t want to start crying. Not right now. Gideon looked at Lena and continued.

  “I saw you climbing to the roof and knew where you were running. So I ran as fast as I could to get there before anyone else could get to you. I wore a Defense uniform under my leather jacket. After I slipped off my jacket, I had no trouble getting past the soldiers surrounding the square. I got to the lake before you. Not wanting to just stand around and wait for you, I ran towards the citadel. Seeing you running through the dust was the best view I ever saw. It’s when I saw soldiers surrounding us that I realized there would be no way for me to hide you. No way to fight without us both getting killed. So I shot you.”

  “Wait, you shot her?” Jonah cut in. “The scar on your back is from him?”

  “Just keep listening,” Lena said.

  “Once soldiers confirmed you were down and reported it, my father called me back to him. I left you in their care. I knew Thora was nearby, waiting for me to leave with her. I hadn’t had time to tell her about the change of plans but I new she’d piece together what happened and would help. I was right. Thora knocked out the soldiers, hid your body, and smuggled you into the plane heading to the Defense facility.”

  “How did Thora get there so fast? And how were you never questioned in her disappearance?” Jonah asked.

  “Thora was already in Everleigh for the celebration. And I was questioned. I just reminded them that I swore allegiance to the Priestess and that it was me who shot her, my best friend, for the Priestess. They didn’t question my loyalty after that.”

  ***

  The night started crawling upon them. The ravine seemed to make it come even more quickly. “Come on, there is a stream coming out of the ground ahead of us. We will make camp by it.” Gideon announced.

  “And what about the insignia?” Jonah asked as they saw the spring ahead of them.

  “I’m not sure,” Lena replied. “But Dorry told me the Defenses couldn’t track it.”

  “It’s true they couldn’t. I tried when I was off world. But never could find you. Also, it erased any electronic footprint of you. I mean it was intense, the engineering that went into it.” Gideon found a flat spot halfway under a ledge and set their belongings down. “It simply made you disappear. Any camera footage or satellite footage simply erased you, making the feed look like you were never there. It was intense to watch.”

  “How much watching exactly did you do?” Jonah’s snarkiness was starting to get t
o Lena and she cast him a glare.

  “I’m going to go wash up,” Lena said, “Try not to kill each other while I’m gone.”

  Lena took her time away from the two. Kneeling down at the stream she splashed water on her face, hands, and legs, trying to wipe away the ash and dirt. Washing up in the stream, she couldn’t quite grasp all that had happened.

  Lena sat by the stream for nearly an hour. The darkness filled the fissure by the time she neared the campsite.

  “Do you think we need to go look for her?” Jonah asked worry ringing from his voice.

  “Na, she’s had a long day. I think she’s just decompressing.” Gideon replied.

  “Ya, I can’t imagine going through what she has the last few hours.” They were making small talk. But at least they were talking.

  “Jonah, I don’t know what your intentions are with Lena…”

  “You don’t have a say in it, Gideon,” Jonah replied far from cordial.

  “Look. Lena is the only family I have left. To say I worry about her is the understatement of the century,” Gideon said. “I care for Lena and I don’t want her hurt. Ever. In any way. Ever again.”

  Jonah’s eyes softened. “Well, we’re on the same page there,” he replied. Lena watched him, missing the light air about him. Jonah’s countenance seemed to have gotten heavy in only a few hours. Lena ached to do everything she could to mend it.

  “So are you going to tell me what you’re a part of?” Gideon asked.

  “There’s nothing to tell.” Jonah raised his eyes to the Captain.

  “Where did you learn how to fly? We don’t teach the kind of flying maneuvers you did out there. You learned them off planet.”

  “Well, I lived off planet for most of my life. I learned a few things.” Jonah answered. “Look I’m on Lena’s side, I think I proved myself on that.”

  “I’m not questioning that. I’m questioning who else’s side you’re on. You’re more than you seem, Jonah Vernalis.”

  Walking up to them, Lena cleared her throat. “Just so you know, I heard your conversation and I think it’s safe to say that we’re all more than we seem.” Sitting down, she snuggled into Jonah who already held a place against a rock. “And I’m completely too tired tonight to try and make sense of it.”

  She burrowed deeper next to Jonah. His hand twisted unconsciously in her hair.

  “I’ll take first watch,” Gideon announced, walking away from them.

  “Jonah,” Lena whispered in the darkness.

  “Humm,” he replied, already half asleep.

  “I’m glad you’re with me,” Lena said.

  “Me too, Lena,” Jonah said and gave her a half smile.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Bright flashlights lit the tall walls, causing Lena to wake in a fright. Jonah grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth, indicating that Gideon was checking it out.

  She didn’t know if she could handle another round of the enemy. She was tired and sore from sleeping on the ground and ready to jump at any minute. Jonah sat behind her. Pulling her to him, he wrapped his arms around her.

  “It’ll be okay,” he whispered in her ear.

  Shadows now appeared like demons on the wall. More than one demon, by the look of things. Lena struggled to keep her breath even as she and Jonah stood up. Lena grabbed a gun and pointed in the direction of the noise. Shadows came into view.

  “Gideon?” she questioned. He stood with two other people. No, three. Now four. Who could they possibly be?

  “Eves, drop the gun,” Gideon spoke, almost happy. She hadn’t seen him look happy, not like this, since the lake. Draped on his arm walked a girl. Grabbing a flashlight, Lena pointed it right into the face of one of the most beautiful girls she’d ever seen. It was the same beautiful girl Lena had seen in Gideon’s photo. Even Jonah next to her let out a deep breath.

  “What’s going on here?” Jonah had the nerve to finally say.

  “You must be Jonah,” a deep male voice said. Coming out of the shadows, a tall man strolled forward and grasped his hand. “Gid tells me you saved his life. I am ever in your debt for saving my friend. Thank you.”

  “And this,” the voice holding Gideon’s arm spoke, “must be the much talked about Evangeline.” Her voice sounded as rich and beautiful as she was. Her dark hair, pulled back into a ponytail, emphasized her wide dark eyes, which were framed with thick eyelashes. “It is such a pleasure to finally meet the girl Gideon talked so much about.”

  Lena didn’t know what to say. She looked at Gideon for answers. “Gid?” was all she said and the girl laughed.

  “Gideon never has been one for manners. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Azara and this is my brother Tarek. Druinn, our Pilot,” she said, pointing to a man with a shaved head and cowboy mustache. “This is Myri, his wife.” Azara walked forward and took both of Lena’s hands in hers.

  “Eves, these are my friends. They’ve been tracking us since the facility.” Gideon said, walking up to Azara and placing a hand on her back.

  Lena didn’t know what to say, feeling shy and extremely underdressed next to Azara. Unconsciously she pulled her hand from Azara’s and wiped the filth on her pants.

  “He sent us a distress signal.” Azara’s voice rang softly. Stepping into the light, Lena saw she wore tan pants and a black form-fitting shirt. A rifle hung from a strap on her shoulder. Lena’s gaze lingered on Gideon’s hand resting on the small of Azara’s back.

  Lena readjusted her gaze. She snapped at Gideon. “And when were you going to tell us that we were being tracked Gid?” Stepping toward her, Jonah placed a calming hand on her shoulder. It didn’t help. “And how did they find us, Gideon?” She used his full name now for emphasis.

  “I didn’t know they’d get here so fast,” Gideon said, sheepishly holding up a tracking device.

  “What if the Defense grasped on to the signal,” Jonah said.

  “The signal is unique to our planet,” Tarek spoke, taking a step forward. “The technology is not available on Mir.” Lena raised her head to him. He stood a head taller than she and Gideon. His coloring looked much the same as his sister’s, with dark eyes and naturally tanned skin. Intelligence and wealth radiated from his countenance. “We’ve come to help,” he said.

  “Help with what exactly?” Jonah stepped closer to Lena placing his arm around her waist.

  “Lena,” Gideon said. “They have come to take you away from here, where the Priestess can’t get you.”

  Jonah pulled her in closer. Her stomach tensed. She didn’t want to leave, she didn’t want to hide and she didn’t want to keep running her whole life.

  “Come,” Tarek spoke again, “Our ship is hidden not far from here. We had to find a larger ravine to hide it in. We will talk more there.”

  ***

  Lena stood in front of the bathroom mirror. Dirt and ash streaked her face. Her arms also seemed covered in a layer of silt. Her previous washing at the stream had obviously only made things worse. And her hair, caked with ash, stuck out at hundreds of angles with varying degrees of messiness. She tried to smooth it back into its ponytail, but the process seemed useless. A knock at the door drew her attention. Opening it, Azara stood on the other side, a pile of clothes in her hands.

  “I know the boys want to talk, but I thought maybe you’d like to get cleaned up first.” She smiled and walked into the small bathroom. She sat a towel and a folded piece of silk on the counter. She turned on the shower for Lena. “I’m shorter than you, but I think we’re pretty close to the same size otherwise. This wrap and underclothing should fit until I get your things washed.”

  Lena smiled, still self-conscious, but grateful. She took off her jacket and took off the bandage on her arm. The infection looked like it had cleared up though it still hurt. “Thanks, I do feel pretty gritty.” Azara turned her back while Lena hopped into the shower. Its spray smelled of some type of sweet perfume. Lena didn’t recognize it, but the fumes relaxed her almost instantly.
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br />   “How did you get here?” Lena questioned over the screen as she washed her hair. “I thought it took time to get clearance to come to Mir.”

  “Yes, it does. However, my father is the commander of the Interplanetary Military Academy. He has open access to all allied ports,” Azara replied.

  “Is your father here?” Lena asked.

  “Ah, no. We kind of misled him to believe we were coming on business. And of course, to see Gideon. He gave us access to his ship and arranged things at the port,” Azara explained. “It was much easier than it should have been,” she laughed. “We came earlier than planned, and good thing we did. I don’t know if you’d survive this barren place had we not been here.”

  Lena stepped out of the shower and started drying off. Grabbing the wrap around, she held up the large square of silk and wondered how she was supposed to turn the piece of fabric into something wearable.

  “How much has Gideon explained to you about what’s going on?” Azara asked. Lena had wrapped the silk around her but had no idea how to secure it. Azara turned around and started re-wrapping her.

  “I know he wants me to leave.”

  “You don’t sound so convinced,” Azara responded, tying knots in the fabric around Lena’s waist and then neck.

  “Would you run?” Lena retorted.

  “If the Priestess wanted me dead? Yes, I’d run,” Azara said.

  Lena started brushing her hair out. Azara pulled a jar from the cupboard. Filling her hand with its contents, she put it in Lena’s hair, leaving it in shiny waves down her back.

  “I don’t see why I’m such a threat in the first place,” Lena said, surveying herself in the mirror. She hadn’t worn a dress since Everleigh. And though she was now clean, she felt more self-conscious than ever.

  “Because of the prophecy, of course,” Azara responded. “The Priestess is quite superstitious.”

  “What prophecy?” Lena asked

  “What do you mean, ‘What prophecy’? Certainly Gideon told you?” Azara eyed Lena. “He didn’t tell you?” Her face paled. “Come on. You’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”