“What the fuck?” Dane exclaims, shock splaying across his face.
“They have several different races locked up there, or so my source says. It seems there were many who came to Earth seeking her out.”
“You have to get her out of there,” Beck beseeches, his face turning pale.
“I don’t think any of you are in a position to be making demands.”
“Quit pissing around. What do you want?” Dane bluntly asks.
“See, that’s what I like about you, Dekten. Direct and to the point.” He starts pacing the room, wearing a troubled expression. “I’ll try my best to get her out of there, but it won’t be easy. My source has limited access, but I’ll see what I can do. In exchange, I want you to tell me everything that goes on here in my absence.”
“Why?” Dane’s eyes narrow suspiciously.
“Because I don’t trust Alandra or her father. You know they plan to use you as bait, to reel Alinthia in, but I suspect they plan to use her to turn on Jentarr and we need to be adequately prepared.”
“Why would we help you after you betrayed us? You openly admitted you’ve been manipulating us, trying to cause issues between Dane and Alinthia and facilitating it so she was taken,” Maddox says. “Why would we trust you now? And it’s not like you’re even guaranteeing you can free her. We’d be fools to blindly enter into agreement with you.”
“Perhaps, but you really don’t have any other options. You have no choice but to trust me.”
“We can choose to tell Alandra what you’ve just said,” I reply. “And let her know whatever alliance Arantu and Jentarr have formed is tentative, at best.”
He steps up to me, putting his face in mine. “Don’t test me, Carpov. Alinthia will pay the price if you even breathe a word to Alandra or Arantu.”
“So, which is it, Zorc?” Dane asks, cutting in. “Either you have access to Alinthia or you don’t?”
“I have access to her, but that’s not the same as guaranteeing I can get her out of there. Like I said, that place doesn’t exist, and they have taken extra precautions to ensure the place is virtually impenetrable.”
“And what about us? Can you get us out of here?” Beck asks.
“No. This needs to play out how Arantu has envisioned it.”
“Then I don’t see that you have anything to negotiate with,” Dane says.
“You haven’t heard everything yet.”
Dane drills a look at him, and Zorc purses his lips before speaking. “I will get her out of there, but it’ll take some time. However, in the meantime, I can pass information to her. Information that she isn’t aware of. That you aren’t aware of. Information that will enable her to tap into her gifts and to access the intel her parents embedded in her mind.”
“What information?” Beck inquires.
“I’ll show her the real prophecy, and it contains everything she needs to know to advance her skills.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I snap, losing the tenuous hold on my emotions. I don’t even know why we’re listening to the double-crossing douche. It’s not like we can trust a single word that comes out his mouth.
“Alandra didn’t only propagate lies; she told you some truths. Arantu took control of the APGP at the same time he invaded Verron. He’s been in charge the entire time, and he has manipulated it so you are kept in the dark, so you couldn’t really help Alinthia. Keeping her weak and vulnerable plays into his hands. What you have been given as the prophecy isn’t wholly true. Vital parts have been omitted and were placed into safekeeping many years ago. Arantu knows this, and he was happy to let you believe it was the true prophecy, but it’s not, and he doesn’t have access to the real prophecy despite spending considerable resources searching the galaxy for the missing scribes. It’s something else he needs me for.” He puffs out his chest, and I seriously want to punch his lights out and wipe that conceited look off his face. “As long as I’m holding that back, he can’t touch me. He must do what I say. And that, my boys, is why you need to stay in my good graces. I can protect Alinthia and make sure you all get out of this alive.”
“You expect us to believe the prophecy we’ve grown up with isn’t the true prophecy?” Beck asks, slanting an incredulous look his way.
“Yes. Only a select few are aware that the public version of the prophecy isn’t the full picture.”
We all share shocked expressions. If he’s telling the truth, and that’s a big if, then this knocks everything we thought we knew on its head.
“And how is it you know about this real prophecy and how to access it?”
“That’s a story for another day.” He looks at the transmitter strapped to his wrist. “I’ve got to leave, so do we have a deal?”
We all automatically defer to Dane. “If you get Alinthia out, what happens then?” he asks.
“I’ll make sure she is ready, and then we’ll come here as Arantu expects.”
“No,” Dane barks. “Absolutely not. It’s too dangerous.”
Zorc smirks, and Maddox bares his teeth at him. “You still don’t get it.” His gaze bounces between us. “Alinthia is the only one who can end Arantu. She has the knowledge embedded in her mind, and I have the intel she needs to access it. The only one who should be afraid of her coming here is Arantu because he’s the one who won’t survive.”
CHAPTER 4
Tori/Alinthia
I come to, chained to a chair, with the bands around my wrists fully activated again. My arm twitches as I straighten upright, and I whimper as pain rips through me.
“I told you what’d happen if you attempted to use your powers,” Dr. Lanter hisses, scowling at me across the table.
“And I agreed not to. But that was before you brought that treacherous scumbag into the room,” I bark out. “It’s his fault I’m in here!” And I’m betting the guys don’t know of his betrayal. How I wish I was able to telepathically communicate with them so I could warn them. The sense of helplessness I feel is accelerating by the minute.
“He is the reason you have been allowed to live a normal human existence until now,” Director Tanner explains, drumming his fingers off the table.
“What?” I look around, and everyone is still in the room with the exception of Zorc. “And where is the lying asshole?”
“If you mean Commander Zorc, he thought it wise to leave until you had calmed down,” Tanner confirms, “so I’ll explain the basics until he returns.”
I school my features into a neutral expression, forcing myself to remain composed as I listen.
“Shortly after your space pod crash-landed on Earth, Commander Zorc and General Jentarr paid us a visit. We were already aware of extraterrestrial presence on Earth, as we had been for many years, and it’s an ongoing concern for successive governments. Zorc and Jentarr offered us an alliance. One that would enable us to track down and capture alien invaders on Earth so we could contain the threat and study their species, and they have given us access to advanced technology which is vastly superior to human technology.”
“What kind of tech?” I ask, and he doesn’t look pleased to be interrupted.
“Weapons and systems technology that means we can protect ourselves against enemy alien invasion.”
“And what do Zorc and Jentarr get in return?” I remember Jentarr’s name coming up in conversation when we were in Zorc’s home on Cerlyon, but he never alluded to the fact they were working together. Can’t say I’m overly surprised—I was always mistrustful of his motives. Zorc said Jentarr and Arantu were old enemies, so I can only guess that whatever alliance they have struck with the humans gives them something to fight Arantu with, and I have a sneaking suspicion I know what it is.
“We get you,” Zorc says, entering the room again.
I growl at him, wishing I wasn’t restrained and that I could nuke his traitorous ass.
“Now, now, Alinthia. This kind of behavior is not becoming at all. You are the revered savior of the galaxy, and you really n
eed to act as such.”
“Screw you, asshole.”
“Funny, that’s what Dekten was telling Alandra when I just paid them a visit.”
All the blood drains from my face. “What?”
He drops down into a seat alongside Dr. Lanter, across from me and Director Tanner, sending me a smug grin. “Oh, you didn’t know?” He arches a brow. “Alandra has captured your protectors and incarcerated them in Xzanthar. Arantu is using them as bait to draw you to him.”
I want to deny it. To ignore everything he’s saying because he’s already proven he’s not trustworthy, but it’s too close to the vision I’ve had to be an outright lie. Yet, it could be a trick, too, even if I sense it’s not. “I don’t believe you. The guys would never let themselves get taken.”
Zorc shakes his head. “You are so naïve, and you have so much to learn.” Extracting a small rectangular device from his pocket, he flips it open, pressing a couple of buttons, and a holo screen materializes in the space over the table. An image appears, clear and distinct, and a whimper escapes my mouth as I take in the scene.
Dane, Beck, Coop, and Maddox are stripped to their boxers and chained up in some kind of dungeon. The walls are bare, the floor dirty. It looks cold and bleak. There isn’t any sound, so I can’t hear what they’re saying, but they look to be engaged in some form of heated debate. Although they look unharmed, the restraints around their wrists appear similar to the ones around mine, and I know they’ve got to be in pain, and feeling lethargic and weak, like I am.
I turn pleading eyes on Zorc. “You’ve got to get them out of there! I’ll do anything! Whatever it is you want, I’ll do it. Just promise me you’ll get them out of there. That you’ll ensure they are kept alive.”
My skin itches with a passionate craving for them, and my heart aches as I look them over. I need to be with them so badly. To hold them and protect them and help make all this right. If anything happens to them, I’ll die. There is no way I can survive without them in my life. They have all come to mean so much to me.
“I’m glad you are capable of making wise decisions,” Zorc replies, terminating the transmission. My chest heaves with emotion as the image disappears. “And I give you my word they will come to no harm provided you cooperate.”
His word doesn’t mean shit, but I’ll play this game as it’s looking like the only way I can secure my guys safety. “What do you want from me?”
“What we came here seventeen years ago to achieve. Your government agreed to let you live in Eaton Lake, as a human, provided you were closely monitored, and to turn you over to me when the time arrived.”
“Kylie is a government spy?” I guess.
“Ms. Trainor is one of a number of operatives we’ve engaged to keep tabs on you over the years,” Director Tanner confirms, and acute pain slices across my chest. Of all the betrayals, that one cuts the deepest.
Pushing the hurt aside, I focus on getting more answers. “I don’t understand why you waited. Why not just take me when I first arrived if you knew where I was?”
“Because of the prophecy,” Zorc answers. “Things have to unfold as they’ve been predicted. Messing with something preordained could have devastating consequences for the galaxy. My master, Jentarr, wants to rule supreme, but that can only be achieved with your permission and support. We knew you wouldn’t provide that willingly, so we’ve orchestrated a situation, still in line with how events are supposed to take place, where you have no choice but to agree.”
I hate him. And I hate Jentarr. And I vow to seek vengeance when the time comes. But, right now, I need to ensure the guys’ welfare. “What exactly do you want me to do?”
“We need you to kill General Arantu. You are the only one who can stop him.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this, but I’m still confused. “I don’t understand why you need me. Why can’t someone else kill him?”
“Because he is protected by old, dark magic. Your parents discovered a way to break the spell protecting him, and they embedded that knowledge in your mind. When you retrieve it, you will know how to end him.”
I want to wipe the condescending look off his face. “There’s only one problem with that plan. I have no way of tapping into that knowledge.”
“And that is where I will come in. I’ll work with you in the intervening period, help you gain full control of your gifts, and access the memories and knowledge hidden in your mind. I will equip you with the skills and intel you need to wipe Arantu from existence.”
“And when I’m ready, then what?”
“I will take you to Xzanthar, where Arantu is expecting you to rush to the rescue. You will exterminate him, and then you will be free to leave with your protectors, provided you sign a contract agreeing to work with Jentarr after you awaken. All nations will be looking to you for guidance. You will publicly support Jentarr, appoint him to a position of seniority in your administration, and when enough time has passed hand over full control to him.”
“What if I don’t agree?”
“Your protectors will die and Jentarr will remain aligned to Arantu, and together they will wrest full control of the galaxy from you. Then you’ll be destroyed.”
I doubt it’d be that straightforward, and, from what I’ve gleaned so far, once I awaken, I will have supreme power, and it won’t be easy for anyone to take me out, but there are still far too many of the puzzle pieces missing. Everyone has an agenda, and I can’t be blindly naïve. It’s not like I’m immortal, and with talk of curse-infectors and dark magic, it’s highly possible that my enemies have figured out a way to eliminate me.
No, I need to think intelligently and strategically and keep this asshole on our side, for now. “Jentarr is working with Arantu?” Of course, he is. Now it all makes sense.
Zorc nods. “Arantu has spent years searching for you in vain. When the time was right, I contacted him on my master’s behalf, offering an alliance. We concocted a plan that would give Arantu access to you and ultimate power, in exchange for a position of seniority for my master and other assets. Once agreed, I was granted a senior handler position and assigned to your protectors. I’ve spent the last few years manipulating them so the plan rolled out as we envisioned. I led them to you, then used curse-infection, combined with Arantu’s dark magic to control all of you. And now here we are.”
Does he want a freaking pat on the back or a medal or something? Asshat. “You cursed me?” I glare at him.
He smiles like he’s just won the lottery. “Yes, I sent the first Herassan to curse you while I led the boys to you.”
“So why give me the cure?”
“Because I don’t want Arantu having access to you long-term. While you were curse-infected, he could use his dark magic to plant thoughts in your mind and summon you to the dream realm.”
I shudder as I think of that dark entity I’d felt growing inside me and my few trips to the dream realm where Arantu filled my head with lies. “Isn’t he suspicious now he no longer has access to me?”
Zorc shakes his head. “I blamed that one on Brint. As far as Arantu is concerned, Brint is a genius who discovered a cure that fixed you.” My sweet Beck is a genius, but I suspect he didn’t have full access to the resources he would’ve needed to legitimately find a cure and that it’s just one of the ways in which Zorc has toyed with my guys.
When I get my hands on him, I will not be responsible for my actions.
“What else did you do?”
His lips curve into a proud smile. “Set up that little battle when you visited Cerlyon, lied to Dekten to try and cast doubt over your true identity, helped mastermind Alandra’s arrival on Earth to cause further conflict, got the asset to plant the virus in Brint’s system, orchestrated all the alien attacks, need I go on?”
So, he’s pretty much been behind it all. Funny, I remember Arantu cautioning me about trusting those close to me and that allies weren’t always loyal. Was he trying to send me a subtle message or just messi
ng with my head?
Sergeant Green shifts uneasily in his seat, and he and Director Tanner look a tad uncomfortable. Dr. Lanter is hanging off every word Zorc says, and I’ve also noticed his hand slipping under the table a few times in her direction, so I’m guessing those two are getting it on or she’s hoping it’s going to happen. I guess there’s no accounting for taste.
“What about Jack?”
“What about him?”
“Were you behind that too?”
“I was, and I also used his body for a while until he no longer served any purpose.”
Acid churns in my gut, and bile swims up my throat. “You mean that was you? When Jack came back, it was really you?”
“Genius, wasn’t it.”
“But how? Beck’s tests showed he was human.” And they also confirmed Alandra was in her natural form, seemingly proving the twin theory, when I know now that’s not true either. But I don’t want to divulge details of the extended vision I had in Kylie’s house, so I’ll keep that knowledge to myself.
“Arantu has specialized medical technology that supersedes the technology Brint has been given. His tests don’t work like he thinks they do.” He chuckles. “It’s really been far too easy to do this. The guys were way too trusting of the APGP when it’s been under Arantu’s command the whole time.”
I’m having trouble keeping up with who is double-crossing who. All I know is, I don’t trust any of them. Except for Mom and my guys. They are all I have in this world whom I can depend on. And I’ll do everything in my power to ensure they are kept safe.
“Where is Jack now?”
“Unfortunately, Jack is no more,” he says, sounding completely devoid of emotion.
I close my eyes, fighting tears. I was never overly fond of Kenzie’s boyfriend, but he didn’t deserve to get dragged into this. He died because of me, and I don’t know how to reconcile that fact, but I tuck it away to decipher another time, because I can’t show any signs of weakness in this room.
The Warrior Princess: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance Page 3