“Those boots. The thing that taunts us has worn a pair like them before. We’ve seen them and have the pictures to prove it.” He grinned again, large, flashing those yellow-stained teeth of his.
“Oh?”
“When she wakes again, see if you can get her to talk about them. What do they mean? They may be the key to our killing the other one.” Frank started to walk away. He stopped at Venus’s cell, turned back to Michael and said, “You might as well get back on board with us where it’s concerned. She won’t be leaving here for a long time, even after she’s dead.” With that, he rushed off, before Michael could agree or disagree.
He guessed Frank figured he wasn’t going anywhere without his say. Michael knew he’d asked for this. It’d been the only way to save her, but he hated feeling trapped. A.L.T. had him as locked up as Venus. Stupid Frank!
Michael flung himself on the cot and tried to sleep. It wouldn’t come. He kept going back and forth between conversations he’d had with Venus to thinking of Cheverly. He knew Chev was probably worried sick. There’d been his promise that they’d get together. That’d been days ago. He hadn’t talked to her since telling her about his mom. She had no idea what’d happened. A wave of panic toppled over him. Will I ever see her again? A few days ago he hadn’t cared one way or the other. Not really. Then he’d been bombarded with memories of her. He realized he wanted to see her.
I told her I loved her. And he did . . . didn’t he? Michael sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. As a friend, he owed her the courtesy of an explanation. She deserved that much.
Michael considered what Zaren and Vinny were doing. Surely they knew Venus was missing. The Zaren guy was probably beside himself with worry. Guilt tore at his gut. When he’d told Frank about Venus, what she’d said to his mother and her strange blood, he’d been angry. Beyond devastated and too far gone in his grief to really think.
Now he knew Venus wouldn’t, couldn’t have committed the murder. She’d been at the ranch all day. With him.
Michael watched her tattered body struggle for air. She was too weak to walk up a trail in the mountains. Someone as feeble and sick as she was didn’t have the strength to kill.
I have the stupid-gene.
He couldn’t let her die. She had to get back to her planet. Crossing his arms over his face, he tried to block out the lights. He needed to think, to rest. The lights overhead couldn’t be turned off with a switch. They were automatic.
“Damn. Damn. Damn. Dammit to hell—”
He stopped at the sound of a light giggle.
Venus.
Taking two steadying breaths, he removed his arms from his face. Then he turned so he could see her. She looked amused.
“My favorite curse is cret.”
Her voice sounded low and raspy, like she’d been smoking a pack a day for thirty years.
Michael sat up. “Cret? What does that mean?” She still lay on her side, electric-blue eyes intent on him. Her teeth chewed on her bottom lip.
“The English word would be crap, I think.”
Michael laughed. “That is a good word. Mind if I use it?”
She shook her head no. “Do you think they’ll give me back my boots?”
Her question took him off guard. He wanted to tell her yes, but that’d be a lie. By the look on her face, maybe she needed to hear a lie. Anything to bring back her hope. At least until he could make it a truth. Michael promised himself he’d find those boots and get them back to her. “Probably. In a little while,” he said, glancing at the two-way mirror.
She sighed. “Good. They’re important to me.”
“Oh?” Here was his chance to ask about them. It was what Frank wanted and if he were going to keep them trusting him, Michael needed to play along. “Why’s that?”
Venus pulled her hair around so it rested on her shoulder. She began braiding it as she spoke. “From the time we’re kelki’s, we’re taught their importance. See, when kelarians are born, we all look the same. We have metallic white skin. Our hair is stark white and everything else is silver.”
“That’s cool.”
Venus snorted and continued, “But when we turn sixteen, we’re given our boots. Inside the heels the Gods capture our weaknesses. As we grow in wisdom and overcome the weaknesses in our heels, they change. They’re a constant reminder to each of us that we aren’t perfect, that we aren’t Gods. And since we become immortal after we receive our boots, that knowledge is important . . . to some more than others. We all need reminding though.” She took a deep, raspy breath. Didn’t cough, which meant the medicine continued to work.
“If you’re immortal, a kelvieri, why are you sick?” Michael had always guessed immortality meant living forever. No death. No disease.
“I’m not kelvieri yet. I’d received my boots and prepared to take the journey to Ith and Aetha, our Gods, for my final rites, when something . . . happened.”
Michael watched her eyes fill with tears. How could anyone hurt her? He wanted to wound them, make them pay for allowing her to suffer. Anger boiled in his veins. Guilt, too. Why had he done this? Her being in this place was his fault. He’d been the cause of most of her suffering.
I believed she was my Angel of Death. In reality, I’m hers. I’ve got to fix this!
“What happened?”
“I’m-I’m not sure. One moment I was packing and the next I was on your planet.” Her eyes clouded over like she deliberated the situation in her mind. “I was supposed to get back to my planet and find out who’s responsible. I want them to be punished—severely—for everything they’ve done.”
He listened as the words lashed out of her, like a sword against her unknown enemies. Casually, he looked over at the two-way glass again. Was someone there, listening? Without a doubt, they had to be. Or at least recording everything they said. “Well, why can’t you go back?” It was a stupid question. She probably knew it’d take a miracle to escape, especially in her condition. He’d do it though, break her out. Tonight or tomorrow, at the latest. He also thought Zaren had to search for her as well. That wouldn’t end well. When Zaren discovered what he’d done, all hell would break loose. And it’d be over his head.
I’ll get her out!
Frank and Abe could suck rocks for all he cared. Sure, he still wanted his mother’s killer found, but they had the wrong alien. This girl wouldn’t hurt a fly—at least not on purpose.
“I can’t go back. The Gods gave me a task . . . and I’ve failed.” Tears leaked onto her cheeks and fell onto her still-praying hands.
“Wait, what? What were you supposed to do? Doesn’t whoever did this know you’d get sick?” Michael stood and walked over to the steel bars that separated them.
“I’m sure they knew. That’s probably why they sent me. I’ve been accused of horrible crimes. The Gods gave me one chance to get back.”
Her eyes bore into Michael’s. He sensed she needed to tell him what that “chance” was, but as a dense fool, he didn’t understand.
“What can I do to help?” Retribution for all he’d done.
She tried to laugh, but it seemed too difficult. “You have no idea how funny that is.”
“Why?” he asked, still densely unaware of what she meant. Or maybe he wasn’t supposed to understand. Michael wanted to, though.
“Tell me your favorite color.”
With that demand, came a revelation. She’d never give him a direct answer about what she’d been required to do. If they were alone, maybe, but not here. “Electric blue . . . I never had a favorite color—until I saw your eyes for the first time.”
“Really?”
That seemed to please her. Michael’s heart skipped a beat. He knew he’d do anything for this girl. Alien or not, if Michael were honest with himself (which was a long time in coming), he would admit he thought she was the coolest, most amazing person he’d ever met. “Straight up.”
She laughed.
“What’s your favorite color?”
“It’s blue as well—irrihunter blue.”
Michael raised his eyebrows in response. ”Oh?” She blinked, her beautiful eyes watching him, waiting for more. “Hang on a sec.” Michael walked over to his cot and dragged it next to the steel bars. “What’s irrihunter?”
He lay on the cot, on his side, so that his head rested directly even with hers and waited for her answer. She didn’t give it right away. Instead she stood and began pulling her cot over to her side of the steel bars. When it clanged against them, she stopped. Michael noticed her wheezing grew stronger.
“Hey, are you okay?”
She shook her head no and lay back down, their faces a foot apart, maybe less. Michael could feel her breath on his face and smell her hair, like coconuts.
“Can we get some water in here?”
Within moments, he heard the clacking of high heels against the tile. The woman who’d given Venus the shot earlier returned. No mask or head gear this time. She was younger than Michael expected her to be. Early twenties, dark blond hair pulled into a ponytail and a cute, slender face. At his cell, she zinged the rectangle authorization badge around her neck into a slot he couldn’t see, but knew existed. The invisible, electric wall vanished. For a split second he deliberated the idea of bolting. Making a run for it. But, almost as quickly, he changed his mind. He wouldn’t leave Venus. No way.
“You’re doing great,” the woman whispered, handing him two water bottles.
Michael winked. Better if everyone believed he was getting the information for them.
“We’ll have you both some food in a while. K?” She twisted her ponytail with one finger.
He knew from experience she was flirting. “Great. I’m starving.” He backed away from the invisible wall. She swiped her badge again and the electric current returned. At his cot, he handed a water bottle to Venus through the bars.
“Thanks,” she said, working to open the lid.
“Let me do it.” It pained him to watch her struggle.
She handed it back. “I’m not usually such a weakling. On Kelari, I was quite strong, and not that it matters, stealthy, too.”
“Stealthy huh?” Michael twisted off the cap and stuck the bottle through the bars. She leaned up on an arm and took a sip, replaced the lid and lay back down. Her eyes closed and he watched, listening to the unnatural sounds coming from her with every inhale and exhale. Michael needed a plan. For now, he wanted to keep her alert, awake. “So what’s irrihunter?”
She looked at him, her vivid blue eyes sad. “An irrihunter is my favorite animal. They’re sacred and amazing.” Tears filled her eyes again.
“What’s wrong?” He reached through the bars and touched her hand. Her fingers were icy. Freezing. “Oh, man. You need a blanket.” He still had on his jacket. Pulling it off, he pushed it through the bars. “Here. Use this. It’ll keep you warm.” She took it and held on, but didn’t move to cover herself. “Let me help you,” Michael said, working to cover as much of her broken body as his denim jacket allowed. “I’m so sorry,” he said so quiet she seemed to strain to hear him.
“Thank you.” She tucked her hands under his jacket. “This helps a lot.”
“So, what’s amazing about these animals? Do they turn into two-headed monsters?” He smiled, hoping to get one out of her. She complied, barely.
“No. They’re . . .” she trailed off, her teeth tugging her bottom lip. “Imagine a shiny black horse, but with the head and temperament of a panther. And their teeth look more like the extinct cat of your planet, called saber-tooth.” She paused, staring into his eyes. “You got that?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, now add large, clawed paws to the feet instead of hooves, a mane and . . . gigantic wings.”
“Wings? What kind? Butterfly? Bird?” The animal sounded amazing all right.
This time she laughed. “No, more like a bat’s.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Right! And their eyes are a dazzling violet. They have fur, but it’s super short and so soft. Their ears are the same shape as a horse, but they have whiskers like a big cat.”
“How cool. Can you ride them?”
“I can,” she said with a bit of her old attitude back. “But no, most kelarians won’t go near them. They’re dangerous creatures and can be very vicious, if not handled with the proper respect.”
Michael tried to imagine her on the back of one. The wind in her hair. Then he remembered the images he’d seen when they kissed. That’s what she’d been riding. It looked exactly as she’d described. Michael remembered how strange, yet right, it’d been to see such a little person sitting on such a large, ferocious beast. Before he realized what he was doing, he blurted, “I think I saw you riding one.”
She leaned up. “How?”
Now he’d have to explain it. Crap! Michael cleared his throat, pushed his hands through his knotted hair. “You know, when we, ah . . .” Crap, he’d try again. “Well, I saw some things when we k-kissed.” Michael would’ve called himself an idiot if he were her.
Idiot.
She let out a nervous laugh, but her eyes sparkled. “It was a very memorable kiss, wasn’t it?”
He scratched his neck, working to keep his face from turning beet red. “Yeah.”
“I’d no idea you saw anything. Why didn’t you tell me before now? It’s . . . unusual. But, I’m glad.” She paused, gauging his reaction. “What did you think of her? Beautiful, right?”
“That was a her? She looked terrifying.”
Tears fell onto her cheeks. She sniffled, wiped her eyes and laughed at the same time.
“I’m an idiot. Sorry.” Michael had no idea what he apologized for, but he knew he’d do anything to keep her from crying.
“Oh, it isn’t you. She was my irrihunter and she was killed. Murdered. Her baby, too.” She wiped away her tears.
“Venus, I really am sorry. Why would someone do that?” Michael wanted to find them and hurt them—for her sake.
“I don’t know.” She shook her head, suddenly vicious. “Whoever it was should die. I wanted to be the one to find them. Now, though—” She broke off, a sob escaping her.
“Why not now?” he asked, hoping this time she’d tell him.
“Michael, be serious.” Anger flashed across her face. She sat up, crossed her legs. “I’m in here and I’m not well. You know as well as I do, this place will be my grave.” The last words were said in a hushed manner. So full of grief.
Michael wanted to correct her, tell her it wasn’t true. They were going to escape. But if he said or acted differently, they’d know. His father would know. And he needed to keep Frank—especially Frank—in the dark about his true feelings. So, he clenched his jaw and ground his teeth. Swallowing the words he wanted to say and responded, “Maybe not.”
She lay back down. “You’re lying. It doesn’t matter though.”
Ugh, it did matter. She mattered. Nothing and no one had ever mattered more. Escaping. Helping her. That’d become his priority. After his father and Abe left for the night—if they left . . . They’d better leave. He’d figure out a way to get Venus out.
“Will you tell me a story?”
45. Against All Odds
Venus’s body burned, the medicine wearing off. She resisted the urge to cough and tried to imagine herself back on Kelari, free of this awful place. Death seemed to be the answer, the only way.
More than anything she wanted justice. For her family! Her irrihunter and the unborn baby! Instead she sat in a cell, at the mercy of this atmosphere, and these people, including Michael.
It was obvious he felt bad about his part in capturing her. It didn’t change the fact that he’d done it. Taken her from Zaren, forced her to endure their torturous tests. Confined her to this evil, stinking place.
Michael wanted a story. Fine, she’d give him a story. “Sure. It’s a long one.”
He smiled. “The longer the better.”
She took a small breath. Not that it did any g
ood, but she needed to clear her mind. Three. Two. One. “Before kelarians existed, there were others, called gethniovians.”
“Gethni . . . others?” He sat up, directly across from her. Crossed his legs as Venus had hers and placed his arms across his lap.
“Yes. Back then, Kelari was full of division. Six different tribes roamed our world. The Ertherns, Winbeys, Firclees, Watrets, Monobians, and the Suraeys.”
“Okay.”
She stifled a giggle. They were kelarian words, but since English didn’t have duplicates, they’d have to do. “The Suraeys were the largest tribe. They also believed they deserved to rule our world. Of course, though the other tribes were smaller; they had their own reasons for thinking they should rule. Every year or so, one tribe would war against another. The biggest reason was always to conquer, but smaller reasons usually started the war. A fight for more land, insidious threats, or lies. Ridiculous reasons, really. The war that brought extinction to nearly all of the tribes and begins my story, happened over a piece of fruit.”
She watched him raise a brow. “You’re joking?”
“Nope. I’m not.”
“Well, wars begin on our planet for stupid reasons, too.”
“Oh, I know. Maybe even more than you do. See, we kelarians have been around a lot longer than humans. Our race has studied your world and its inhabitants for hundreds of thousands of years. The similarities between our planets, the idea that we look so much alike, that we have land and water similar to Earth, has kept us intrigued. You need to realize our kind make the change into immortality at the age of sixteen. Forever is a long time.” Venus waited for that information to sink in. There wasn’t any doubt Frank and possibly that scary guy, Abe, were listening. Well, let them listen. There wasn’t a thing they could do with the information.
“Really? Tell me about an incident I wouldn’t already know—about one of our wars.”
He’d challenged her and she accepted.
“Okay. You know the war called The Civil War?
He nodded.
“The war was important and would’ve happened anyway, but it began because Jefferson Davis lost a game of poker.”
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