Project: Adapt - Failure: A Space Fantasy Alien Romance (Book 4)

by Jade Waltz

  “Where is your nest?”

  As one, Tori and her mates turned and pointed to a ledge near the top of the wall overlooking the small pond. “Right there!”

  “And you can only get there by flight?” I asked, biting my lip.

  “I’m afraid so.” Tori shot me an apologetic smile. “This asteroid was built by the Swynemi since they were the species most often rescued in this galaxy and needed a place to stay. Since they have the technology to create lifedomes, the commanders asked the refugees to design the base inside this asteroid. While there are plenty of cabins on the lower levels for the wingless, my mates are Swynemi, so we were given an upper-level cabin.”

  “Can I trust your mates not to drop me?” I eyed the three males surrounding her, who peered back at me, shocked. “I’ve never been flown by a male before. A transport, yes—but not in the arms of a winged person.”

  “Luwyn can carry you.” Tori kissed the lavender-eyed male’s cheek and shoved him toward me, slapping his ass. “He is my hunter and loves proving himself.”

  I shrugged. “Are you up for it?”

  While I would have preferred the silent emerald-eyed male, I would still rather let Luwyn carry me than Celyze. He was a Cosmic Soul capable of mind-wiping others, which made me want to avoid touching him at all costs. I was still recovering from my drugged haze and near brush with death. I wasn’t keen on having my memories altered while I was away from my clan, too.

  I would fight if he attacked me under Xenak’s orders, even if I had to permanently damage his fragile wings. Flight was paramount to winged aliens. If he planned to take something precious from me, then I would do the same to him—and anyone who dared hurt me.

  “If that is what my StarPyre wants, then I shall.”

  “Then I accept your invitation.”

  “Yay!” Tori cheered, enclosing my hands in hers. “I can’t wait for you to try some of my cooking.” A contagious smile lit her face as she jumped excitedly, wavy hair bouncing in her wake. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’ve been waiting to get to know the female in my mate’s visions.”

  “What?”

  Celyze placed his hands on Tori’s shoulders, stilling her as he shot me an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry. My Tori shouldn’t have said that, but I am hoping you are still willing to join us. There are many things I wish to ask you.” Checking around us, he leaned forward and whispered, “I believe I can help you get in contact with your mates, or someone who can help you get home.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Chapter Nine

  Selena

  “We are here,” Luwyn announced, jerkily landing. “You can open your eyes now.”

  My stomach lurched at the jarring experience. I slowly opened my eyes to see Luwyn peering at me with a cocky smirk on his face.

  “I told you that I wouldn’t drop you.”

  “That doesn’t mean I enjoyed the flight,” I breathed, releasing my arms from around his neck. “Please, tell me that I don’t have to do that again anytime soon.”

  “If you want to get down from here, you do,” he chuckled, slowly placing my feet onto the ledge’s surface. “Unless you are planning to stay here to try and avoid Xenak.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” I muttered, peering over the ledge to the ground below. Tori was right about the beauty of this view of the lifedome. It was easier to see its layout and how every space flowed together. I could tell that whoever had planned it had put much care into organizing the plant life. “He can’t fly, can he?”

  “Who knows?” Luwyn shrugged. “He seems capable of anything but bringing his brother back. I think that’s why this whole situation frustrates him so much.”

  “Luwyn, you know full well that he can’t fly,” Tori hissed. “Stop scaring Selena.”

  “He isn’t scaring me.” I stepped away from the ledge, having had enough of the view. While I was used to living high above the main island on Destima, my villa was equipped with railings, whereas this outcropping was not. It was a long way down if I accidentally fell. Shivering at the thought, I stepped toward the safety of the hole in the wall, surprised when a green forcefield greeted us. “What’s this?”

  “Our entrance,” Tori explained, scanning her hand on the side panel. It blinked green and the force field dissolved. “Supposedly, it’s easier on the asteroid’s structure if we don’t install doors or individual service tunnels unless necessary. This is why we have communal bathing pools for the aquatic species who need to access water. Each cabin has an ultrasonic cleaning station and provides for the inhabitants’ basic necessities. Since we have a family cabin, we get our own kitchen to go with our drink dispenser.” She shrugged and crossed the threshold. “It’s not much, but it’s the best the commanders could provide for a sense of a home. The base’s citizens are just happy to avoid the Federation.”

  These people were like Destima’s population—they all wanted an escape from unfit rulers and a chance to live their lives freely. While living on this base, they probably wondered when they might be discovered by outside forces and attacked.

  As we entered their lounge, Tori pointed toward an L-shaped couch, large enough to seat her whole clan plus some. “Feel free to sit down while I fix something up over here.”

  “Do you need any help?” I asked, hesitant to sit in the open spot between her two mates. I knew Circuli nestqueens were territorial about other females around their mates if they were in the courting stage of their bond, but I didn’t know anything about Swynemi mating rituals. Earth-born humans had so many customs on record that it was difficult to know which she followed and which she had abandoned for her mates. The last thing I wanted to do was to accidentally upset her by sitting near her mates, even though there was a respectful distance between us.

  She waved me off, shooting me a smile as she strolled into the kitchen. “If I need any help, I’ll ask any of my three mates before I ask you, our honored guest. I invited you here, so you should be the one tended to.”

  “I can grab some fresh fish or fruit from the lifedome if you think we need it,” Luwyn offered, already making his way toward the opening.

  “Good idea. Let me check our stock.” Tori hurriedly swiped her fingers on the wall display, humming and muttering to herself. “It looks like we are out of qwetre, but I don’t think we need any fruit.” She turned off the vidscreen and walked over to her mate. “If you can, find a fish to go with all the vegetables we still have in storage. I would feel bad if anything went to waste, considering how scarce supplies are now.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” His face softened as he cupped her face and leaned in for a soft kiss. “Don’t worry, Tori. Things won’t always be like this.”

  “I know.” She gave him a soft smile and pushed him away. “Go, so you can return sooner.”

  “Is there some reward if I do?” Luwyn smirked, stepping away.

  “We’ll see, but first, bring us something back.”

  Chuckling, he spun around as the fluttering of his wings picked up. Tori leaned forward and slapped his ass. He shot a devious grin over his shoulder before he took off down the tunnel.

  “Stars, he has a fine ass,” Tori muttered as she stared down the tunnel. “But he’s so much trouble.”

  It was odd to watch their interactions. I could see how much Luwyn cared for Tori, and that he had a kind heart under his cocky attitude. Their playfulness made me miss my mates and our fun times together.

  Was this how I looked with my mates? Everyone I interacted with on Destima was either mated to me or entirely unmated. Now that I had watched someone else’s display of affection and noticed how it made me feel, I wondered if I had ever made others feel like they were missing something.

  Checking my mental threads for the millionth time, I confirmed once again, that my nestmates were still alive, but far away. I couldn’t shake off the sickening suspicion that something bad was happening to them on Destima while I was stuck here.

  “Troubl
e doesn’t begin to describe it,” the emerald male stated. He reached over from his spot on the couch and offered me his hand. “I believe we haven’t officially met. I know you met our Tori and Celyze earlier and picked up on Luwyn’s name, but we never properly introduced ourselves.”

  Grabbing his hand, I smiled. “I’m Selena.”

  I refused to give him any further information. Xenak seemed to already know a lot about me by spying on me, but I didn’t know just how much. No matter how nice this family appeared to be, I had to be cautious before letting my guard down while I was still a prisoner on this asteroid base.

  “I am Auro, the leader of my crew.” He winced. “Well, ex-leader, now that this isn’t my crew anymore—it’s Tori’s.” He chuckled, combing his hair back. “I was the captain of a ship with Luwyn as my Weapons Master and Celyze as my Communications Lead, but we were captured, and I haven’t piloted a ship since.” Releasing my hand, he peered at Tori working in the kitchen. “I still feel like I am the leader of our family, but in reality, we all follow her.”

  “I understand.” I sighed, leaning back in the cushioned seating. It had been a while since I could spare a second to sit down. Somehow, I felt guilty for doing nothing.

  “If my mates’ lives weren’t on the line, could you give me a reason to try healing Xenak’s brother?” Glancing at the two males beside me, I found them gaping at my change in topic, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to help Xenak because everyone on this base let him run unchecked. Who would make sure he kept his end of the bargain if he held power over them all? “No one has told me why, just that I needed to do it. How was he injured? If his brother, Ryzen, and you”—I addressed Celyze—“are so powerful, why do you need me?”

  “Because it is the will of the Fates, and the Stars led us to you.” Celyze locked his icy blue eyes with mine, the intense glowing swirls captivating me. “Commander Ryzen is a hero. When the Federation attacked, instead of retreating with the rest of us, he turned around and fought, using his psy-daggers to attack anyone who tried to get past him. In a last-ditch effort to end the raid, he projected all his energy into a wide-range psy-attack, killing any mind he didn’t recognize as an ally. I felt the destruction; the assault hit me like a wave, almost knocking me out of the air. When I searched for him, I found him collapsed haphazardly on the ground, staring into the distance. Xenak snapped and his mental cry burned through my shields. I knew I needed to grab Ryzen and take him with us, not for our sake but his brother’s. When I touched him, relief hit me to find him still alive even though he had burned himself out. Once we escaped the destruction of our base, leaving the massacre behind us, Xenak frantically tried to reconnect with his brother, to no avail. At that moment, he gave me one mission: ‘Pray to your Stars and tell them that I want my brother back. I don’t care what you must do to get them to listen or how many times you must ask. My brother can’t fade away just because they don’t know how to protect their children from the evils of the universe.’ ”

  “And the Stars led you to me,” I muttered, finally understanding why Ryzen mattered so much to them. He had built their base and rescued them all with his brother, only to sacrifice himself when they were raided. He was their war hero, their beacon of hope now shattered because he paid the price for their newly found freedom.

  Celyze nodded solemnly. “Every time I reached out to them, they all led me to you. I don’t know what connection exists between you two, but the Fates willed your paths to cross. I just wish they didn’t have to cross like this.”

  “What am I supposed to do about it?” I scanned the occupants of the room, begging them to answer. “I’m just one female with no knowledge of what you want me to do.”

  “We were hoping you would tell us.” Auro leaned forward, cupping his hands to support his chin. “Celyze has never been wrong. The Stars want you here for a reason, though we don’t know what that is.”

  “I don’t know if I can trust the Stars anymore. I am sick and tired of hearing about the Fates and the Stars, and how it’s my destiny to be here. My mates are out there dying,” I growled, throwing my arm in the direction of my faded mental threads. “I don’t owe you anything and yet, here I sit, trying once again to explain to you that I don’t know what you—or the Stars—want from me.”

  “Just see him,” Celyze murmured. “That’s all you need to do.”

  “Selena,” Auro breathed. “After you visit him, no matter what happens, I will personally request a vessel to return you to your clan. You are right. You were brought here unjustly, and I will make sure to correct our mistakes.”

  Hope filled me. This male was willing to grant me passage home.

  All I needed to do was visit their commander’s unconscious body. Then I could leave for Destima, where my clan awaited.

  “How soon can I see him?”

  Auro’s gaze flicked to Celyze and mine followed, waiting for his reply.

  “Not until tomorrow. She should get a good night’s rest, in case she needs to reach out to him.” The sapphire male frowned. “Are you even capable of reaching out to others?”

  “When I know who I am looking for,” I replied, licking my lips nervously. “But I’m still learning the craft.” I turned to Tori, who was still working hard prepping food in the kitchen. “I was told humans have superior defensive mental shields, which is why we never learned how to reach out to others. We didn’t know we could.”

  Celyze nodded. “This is true. You and Tori share that feature.”

  “I don’t know how successful tomorrow will be. The best I can say is that I will try.”

  “That’s all we ask of you.”

  Chapter Ten

  Selena

  “If you are done, let me take your plate for you, Selena,” Auro offered, reaching for my dirty dishes.

  Nodding my head, I passed them over. “Thank you.”

  “Not a problem.” A wide smile spread his lips. “It’s been an honor since we haven’t had guests over since we relocated here.”

  “Does either of you need a refill while I’m up?” Luwyn asked, scrolling through the options on the drink dispenser. “Dessert is also available if you are craving something sweet.”

  “Can I have tea, please?”

  Tabbing back to the main menu, he peered over his shoulder. “Any preferences?”

  “One of your favorites.” I shot him a smile. “You choose.”

  Nodding, he selected a pair of drinks and collected them.

  “I got the perfect blend for you,” he beamed, offering one mug to me. “You will love it.”

  Wrapping my hands around the black cup, the green steam assaulted my nose with an herbal scent.

  Instantly, memories of my mates and their obsession with providing me my favorite osso tea flooded me. A sob escaped me as tears began to fall from my eyes. I felt like another rock had been added to the bottom of my stomach, adding to the guilt and worry already weighing me down.

  “Luwyn,” Tori hissed. “What did you do?”

  “I didn’t do a thing!”

  Tori scooted closer and wrapped an arm around me. “What’s wrong?”

  “This tea reminded me of my mates.”

  “I’m sorry, Selena.” She reached for the cup and frowned. “Let me get something different for you.”

  “No, it’s fine!” I pulled the cup back. Somehow, the heat radiating off the tea comforted me as I pressed the mug against my chest. “I don’t want anything else.”

  She hesitated, keeping her hand outstretched as her gaze flicked warily to Celyze. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. This is fine.” Glancing at Luwyn, I found him watching me with concern and nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I know it may seem odd, but I want to be reminded of my mates. They are the reason why I am free… well, as free as I can be here. Without them, I wouldn’t have become the person I am or experienced the things I have.”

  “I wasn’t going to offer you this because I didn’t know if you wo
uld trust me enough to open yourself to me,” Celyze hedged, placing his empty glass on the table. “But if you want, I can try to help you communicate with one of your mates.”

  “You can do that?” I wiped my eyes as I took a sip of my tea, the burning liquid reminding me that there was still hope. “How? What do I need to do?”

  “First, you need to put down that scalding hot drink before you injure yourself.” He grabbed the cup from my hands and I had to stop myself from pulling back again. He placed the mug on the table. “Then you have to offer yourself to me, allowing me to find your past connections—the minds most familiar to you. With your guidance, I will reach out to them.”

  “Really?” I asked, studying him. “It sounds too good to be true.”

  “I’ve done it before,” he reassured me as his eyes softened. “If you need some time to consider, there’s no rush. I wanted to offer you my services to help you find some reassurance.”

  “Thank you,” I muttered, closing my eyes as I leaned back. “Let me think for a moment.”

  “Take your time.”

  “Vowels?” I called out to my companion. “What do you think?”

  “He speaks the truth,” he replied. “At least, what he believes is true. He is nervous, but only because he fears disappointing you. I don’t sense any ill intent from him or anyone in this room. They are genuinely concerned about you—and by extension, your mates.”

  “Would he sense you?”

  “He could, but even so, I don’t think he’ll mention me. Cosmic Souls are honorable followers of the Cosmic Order. They won’t speak about other’s truths or Star paths openly.”

  “Thank you for your wisdom and for supporting me.”

  “Always.”

  Opening my eyes, I sought Celyze’s icy stare and nodded. “I accept your offer.”