Beyond Falling Stars (Starlight Saga Book 3)

by Sherry Soule

  Please don’t let a sea monster be down there. Please don’t let me become its midnight snack.

  A fish tail skims my thigh, slicing into my skin. I release a startled scream. Pain rips through me and my vision goes white with discomfort. The water darkens, stained with blood.

  A douse of self-preservation strikes my chest. I swim hard and fast, kicking at the water and thrashing with my arms. I’m sobbing and freaking out. Gulping for air. Swimming into the current, the force pushes my body back in the direction of the sea beast.

  Keep swimming! Don’t quit.

  Swallowing my terror like a gallon of seawater, I swim harder with everything in me. I’m not going to let Neela win. That psycho chick is gonna be profoundly disappointed when I show up alive and well tomorrow. I’m going to walk up to her and slap her Disney princess face.

  “You won’t get away with this, Nasty Neela, you psychotic vacation saboteur! I’m not going down without a fight.”

  I keep swimming in the direction of the beach, doing the doggy-paddle and kicking my legs as hard as I can. Waves lap over my head and my hair sticks to my cheeks. My pulse races at breakneck speed. I shove the wet strands out of my eyes and ignore the sharp pain in my leg, my determination helping me to push on.

  Paddling through a crushing wave, I give myself a pep-talk. “Sloane Masterson, you are going to make it to shore. You will not be eaten by any scary sea monsters lurking below these shadowy waters.”

  Yet my arms paddle slower and weaker. Fatigue strikes hard. My legs throb, feeling numb. I drift in the water, too tired to keep treading. A violent shiver shakes my body as I start sinking into the inky depths of the sea. A fish fin drags across my ankle. The sea beast is back and ready for its next meal. I hope it’s over quickly—

  “There! I saw purple hair! Shine the light over here!” a voice shouts.

  I jerk to attention, blinking into the harsh glare blinding me. I lift one hand to shield my eyes and open my mouth to answer, but my mouth is dry and my throat hoarse. I barely manage a pitiful squeak.

  “Hayden! I found Sloane!” Viola yells. “Hurry!”

  A strong wave crashes over my head and I close my eyes, holding my breath. My limbs weary and useless. I bob to the surface, sputtering water and choking.

  “Hey! Sloane! We’re here,” Hayden calls.

  A small boat coasts closer, the bow almost striking me in the head.

  “Get on board.” Viola tosses me a life-preserver. The red and white donut clunks me in the temple.

  “Ouch! Hey, don’t kill me!” I snap.

  “Sorry,” Viola says. “Climb aboard, sailor.”

  Reaching up, I grasp the edge of the boat and attempt to haul myself onboard. My upper body strength is nonexistent. I attempt to place my leg over the side that’s about two feet out of the water, but it feels like scaling the Great Wall China. I’m afraid I will capsize the boat with my waterlogged self.

  With a lot of grunting, ungraceful thrashing, and help from my two best friends, I finally flop inside the boat like a giant whale trying to beach itself. Groaning, I sit on the floor of the dinghy. I may have injured my lady parts in the process.

  “Thanks for the rescue,” I say, as an uncontrollable tremor racks my cold body.

  “Holy crap, Sloane.” Viola drapes a blanket around me. “You are the unluckiest person I know.”

  TWENTY-NINE

  An abrasive, low-pitched rumble wakes me.

  Blinking my eyes open, I try to move, but my head aches with the effort. Through the window, I recognize giant trees with long spiny branches waving in the wind. White clouds lazily drift across the incredible cobalt sky. The Reticuli binary suns blaze a hot radiance on the glass. The brilliance is too much for my sore eyes. I turn away, taking in the light blue walls and beeping machines through my blurry vision.

  Yup, I’m in a Zeta sickbay unit.

  Shifting on the bed, a sharp pain radiates along my leg and I lift the covers to see a large bandage on my thigh. The grumbling becomes louder.

  Hayden sleeps in a chair near my bed, with his hands clasped together in his lap and his head lowered. A tuxedo jacket lies over his chest like a blanket. His hair is a disheveled mess, and he’s snoring. Noisily. Like a wounded warthog with a head cold.

  “Hayden?” I rasp.

  His mismatched eyes pop open. “You’re awake.” Stretching, he stands and moves closer to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better. And you were right about the snoring.”

  He smiles through a yawn. “I tried to warn you.”

  “You’ve saved my life again. Damn, how many times does that make it now?”

  “I’ve lost count.” A blush brightens his cheeks. “It’s all a part of my hero duty.”

  Sitting up, I wince in pain. A flash of nausea causes bile to jump into my throat. My muscles feel like limp noodles. Sharp throbbing spreads across my forehead, blooming into a full-blown headache. I need aspirin and quick.

  “I hurt everywhere,” I whimper.

  “You were swimming for hours,” Hayden says.

  “How did you find me?”

  Hayden drags the chair closer and sits next to me. He clasps my hand, leaning forward to kiss my knuckles. “Last night, I asked Vi where you’d gone and she said probably to the bathroom. But when you hadn’t returned after twenty minutes and I couldn’t find you, I got worried. I had everyone search the boat,” he says, his voice gruff as if he’s fighting for control over his emotions. “When no one could locate you, Viola freaked. I insisted we take the lifeboats out to keep looking for you.” He unclasps our hands and sits back. “Zach and Tanisha went in one dinghy, and Viola and I took the other. About two in the morning, Viola spotted you bobbing in the water.”

  “Could I have something to drink?” I ask. “I’m so thirsty.”

  He jumps to his feet and goes to a table to fetch me a glass of water. He returns and helps me to sit up. The room spins at an odd angle, but I manage to take several gulps.

  “What time is it?”

  Hayden sets the glass on the table and returns to his seat. “It’s about three o’clock. You’ve been sleeping most of the day.”

  A stout nurse with short blue hair steps into the room, wearing a starchy jumpsuit. Her eyes widen, then she sticks her head into the hallway. “The shalinaya’s awake!”

  The nurse reenters the room trailed by a Zeta dressed in a shiny suit, looking very official. He’s male, slim and lanky, with an unsmiling expression. Hayden straightens at his entrance.

  “I am Medic Chesila, and this is…” The nurse frowns and looks at the Zeta male. “How do you say…um, an officer of the law.”

  I nod, a pain exploding in my head. “Ouch.”

  “I will get you pain medication now.” Medic Chesila exits the room.

  “Good afternoon, Sloane.” The Zeta man stands on the side of the bed. “We are relieved you are alive and well.”

  “Thank you.” I keep an eye on the Zeta cop and pull up the thin blanket to cover my nightgown. My bustier and panties are gone.

  “I’m Constable Freone of the Authority Division,” he says. “How are you feeling?”

  “Sore,” I say. “Glad to be alive. Guess the Vacation Sabotager didn’t win this round.”

  Freone frowns. “Excuse me? I do not understand.”

  “Your English is very good,” I say, not bothering to explain.

  “Yes, I took a tutorial last year,” Freone says. “Once you feel up to it, I would like to ask you some questions about the accident.”

  Medic Chesila returns with a Zeta herb that speeds healing. It tastes like day old garbage, but it does help the pain. I take a handful of the herbs and chew them. Yuck-o.

  “I can talk about it now,” I say, swallowing the meds and gesturing at Hayden for the glass of water. He brings me the drink and I take several gulps. “Someone pushed me off the yacht.”

  “What?” Hayden exclaims. “Who?”

  “I beg your
pardon,” Freone says. “Are you certain?”

  “Someone on the boat wanted to kill me,” I insist. “They shoved me overboard.”

  “To make sure I understand correctly…you claim somebody purposely tried to hurt you?” Freone asks doubtfully.

  Medic Chesila helps me to lean forward, fluffing the pillows behind me so I can sit up higher. She hands me a fresh glass of water and more stinky herbs. I chew them and take another long drink.

  “Yes,” I say, handing her the empty glass. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. It was no accident. I went outside to get some fresh air, when someone snuck up behind me and pushed me overboard.”

  Freone scratches his head. “That is…how do you say on Earth? Um, attempted murder.”

  Medic Chesila a gasps. “Zetas do not harm each other. We are peaceful beings.”

  A lump rises in my throat, the burn in my eyes causing tears. “You think I’m making this up?”

  “Perhaps you are mistaken,” Freone says. “The Zetas and Meleah would never intently hurt each other.”

  A red-hot spark explodes out of me like a cannonball. It dries up my tears and I swallow hard. Okay. Now I’m officially pissed.

  “Are you kidding me?” I glare at the Zeta cop. “I’ve had two other Meleahs try to kill me over the last four months. Make that three because I know who did this. Your descendants are partially human, remember? And trust me, they can have evil traits. Tell him, Hayden!”

  “It’s true, sir,” Hayden says, matter-of-factly. “Not all Meleah are kindhearted like the Zetas. Back on Earth, there are some bad ones.”

  Freone bobs his egg-shaped head. “I understand.”

  “I’m not sure you do,” I say, lifting my chin. “I don’t know how justice works in Zeta world, but back on Earth, we have laws against hurting people. Neela Voorhees is behind the attacks. So, are you going to start investigating?”

  “We have no evidence. There are no signs of…what is the phrase…foul play?” Freone says, rubbing his bald head. “Nonetheless, I can question the guests, and Miss Voorhees, and find out if anyone saw or heard anything. Will that be satisfactory?”

  “I guess,” I grumble, sinking down on the bed. “But you don’t understand. This isn’t the first time someone’s tried to hurt me on this planet.”

  Freone crosses his arms in a humanlike gesture. “Please go on.”

  “I’ve had three attempts on my life since I came here. First, someone startled my equestroxian and I got thrown into the mud. Next, my Water-Glider almost crashes.” My voice rises in pitch and my body heat increases with it. “Then some lunatic shoved me off the yacht last night. It’s obvious someone has it out for me!”

  “Sloane, you must not get too distraught,” Medic Chesila says kindly. “You need more rest.”

  “What’s going on here?” My dad’s commanding voice fills the room as he stomps through the door, along with my mom, Viola, and Jonah.

  I’ve never been more relieved in my life. My mom throws herself on me, wrapping me in a smothering hug. My dad’s eyes glisten, and he’s unable to speak for a second, with one hand clutching his chest.

  Freone jerks to attention and drops both arms at his sides, looking intimidated and nervous by the sudden presence of my dad.

  “I was only speaking with your offspring, sir,” Freone says. “To uncover what happened last night in an affable exchange.”

  Medic Chesila scurries from the room, and my mom wraps me in another rib-crushing hug. Viola embraces me next, then Jonah comes over and rubs my arm. My mom stays close to my side, holding my hand like a mama bear protecting her cub.

  “Without her parents? It sure didn’t sound like a friendly conversation,” my dad replies, crossing his arms over his chest. His handsome face looks pinched, the lines around his hazel eyes creasing. My dad glances at Hayden. “What happened?”

  “Sloane told him she was pushed off the boat, but he doesn’t believe her,” Hayden says.

  “Pushed?” Viola’s long black hair spills down her back in unwashed tangles. She’s wearing the most generic outfit I’ve ever seen her wear, a plain black T-shirt, jeans, with lace-up ankle boots, and zero makeup. “Did you see who it was?”

  “No. It was too dark and everything happened so fast,” I say, my voice sounding small. “But I have a strong hunch.”

  “Which is what?” Freone casts a quick sidelong look at my dad.

  “I told you, it was Neela Voorhees,” I say. “She’s jealous of my relationship with Hayden, and her dad tried to kill me on Earth.”

  “Do you have any proof to support this claim? That is a strong allegation,” Freone says. “The Voorhees family is very distinguished, and we cannot accuse anyone without an eyewitness or evidence.”

  My dad moves to stand beside my mom. “If my daughter says she was pushed and she believes it was Neela who did it, then I expect you to take her accusation seriously.”

  “I will do my best to discover the truth.” Freone backs away. “There will be an extensive investigation into the accident.”

  “You mean attempted murder,” Hayden corrects.

  My dad stands with his shoulders back and his chin lifted. “I’ll be checking in with the Galactic Brotherhood to ensure your division handles this properly.”

  “Yes, yes. I will be quite thorough.” Freone’s jaw clenches, but he forces a tight-lipped smile. “Hope you feel better, Sloane. On behalf of all Zetas, we are most pleased you still live.”

  Freone leaves the room, and my dad gives me a tight hug and kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to go speak to the physicians,” he says. “We are not leaving here without you.”

  Hayden steps forward. “I’ll come by tomorrow to see how you’re doing,” he says, then vanishes in a blaze of light.

  Viola and my mom stay close to the bed, and Jonah sits in empty chair to read a book.

  “I was freaking out when we couldn’t find you,” Viola says, her voice shaking. “Hayden took charge and got everyone looking for you.”

  “That’s my hero boyfriend,” I say. “But I owe you a thanks, too.”

  Viola nods, tears glistening in her eyes. “It’s what best friends do for each other.”

  My mom sniffles. “You’ve had some close calls, honey. I think from now on, it’ll be safer if you stay home until we get this sorted out.”

  “Not a bad idea,” I say. “You guys believe me, right? About Neela?”

  “Absolutely,” Viola replies.

  “Yes, honey,” my mom says. “Rest now.”

  I lean into the pillows, clinging to my mom’s hand. Hopefully, Neela will be sent to a prison alongside her daddy. Bon voyage, Nasty Neela!

  FRIGHT NIGHT BABBLE

  Greetings, Fellow Horrorphilas!

  I’m not sure why I despise some clichés so much. Maybe because I’m always afraid of becoming one, but certain overused tropes can be frightfully annoying.

  Like, why don’t intelligent lifeforms have different races on their planet? Even some diverse nations, languages, or traditions. Aliens are carbon copies. That’s a dreadfully simplistic plot device. I’m not saying every alien being should be overly complex, but can writers at least create a few variations of each species?

  Sorry movie lovers, there’s no shy unicorns or cool guys wearing sunglasses in these flicks, unless their Men in Black, because according to most science fiction stories, the future is anything but bright.

  Apparently, from nuclear fallout, zombie apocalypses, evil galactic empires, alien invasions, global epidemics, and even totalitarian governments, we’re headed straight into the next round of The Hunger Games.

  Peace, love, and horror flicks,

  Sloane

  THIRTY

  The day after the pushed-overboard “accident,” I’m doing much better, thanks to the kickass Zeta meds that speed the healing process and revive my achy muscles.

  “How are you feeling today?” Viola takes a sip of her mango milkshake.

  The tw
o of us recline by the pool on the stone patio in our one-piece bathing suits with our legs dangling in the crystal-clear water. Swimming pools are much safer than the ocean. Along with any type of boats. Also equestroxian riding. And Water-Gliders, too.

  “Much better. Except I’m pissed that Zeta cop didn’t believe me,” I say, kicking my legs in the water to vent my frustration.

  Zach, Delta, and Hayden are all playing in the water and splashing each other, while Jonah relaxes on a lounge chair, his nose buried in a thick book. Tanisha went inside the house, having gone in search of munchies.

  Tanisha strolls through the glass sliding door to rejoin us poolside with a box of what appears to be potato chips. She sits on the edge beside me, her long longs sinking into the water. “You have no idea how glad I am that you’re all right. I know we’ve had our differences, but we’ve been friends forever, and it would suck if you died.”

  “Yeah, it would.” Viola flips her mane over one shoulder, leaning back on her elbows. She tips her pale face toward the sky, her long hair dangling to the ground.

  “Um, Vi,” I say, “you do know that you’re sunbathing, right? Or did you put on two-hundred sunblock?”

  “Yes, I do,” Viola replies, closing her eyes. “And yes, I did.”

  Laughing, Tanisha pushes the sunglasses perched on her nose up into her hairline. “I thought you were allergic to the sun.”

  Most unique individuals like us would be tossing and turning in their coffins at the mere thought of stepping outside before sundown, but we three have quickly acclimated to the sunny climate of this utopia.

  “Shut it.” Viola eyes stay closed.

  Tanisha adjusts the strap on her two-piece bathing suit. “Do you seriously think Neela is behind all the attacks?”

  I gaze at the chipped polish on my toes submerged in the water. “Who else could it be? She’s my only real enemy on this planet.” I raise my head, and catch Delta’s black stare drilling into me. I smile, but she ducks under the water and swims away.

  “That you know of.” Viola lifts her head, squinting at me. “It could be anyone who knows Hayden.”