Relinquish: Book II of the Rising Trilogy (20 page)

“Did he say ambush? How did they know we were coming?”

“I don’t know.” Bastien looks grim. A scream breaks through the rapid fire and he closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“We have to go help them.” I turn to head toward the door, but Bastien pulls me back.

“We stick with the plan.”

“But—”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Men die in war. You know this, Illyria. You would make the same call.” Another explosion ricochets through the base. I duck instinctively, although we are well out of harm’s way. “That’s the oil field. There’s nothing we can do.”

Anger wells up in my chest. I know he is right. I’ve made this same call dozens of times. “Fine. Let’s just get this stupid transport and get the heck out of here.”

I remind myself that Gorgan wasn’t with that group. Maybe he can still make it out alive.

As I turn to sweep my gaze across the room, sirens blare around the base. Engines roar to life, tires squealing as they speed away from us. The scent of burnt rubber hangs in the air as Bastien pulls away from the door. It’s only a matter of time before someone finds us, invisible or not.

“This way,” Bastien whispers, leading me through a maze of small aircraft. I spy planes with hulking engines, streamlined jets, and an oddly shaped machine with a propeller perched atop it instead of on the wings. “There it is.”

I round the back end of an odd triangle-shaped aircraft to find a sleek black alien warship that, now that I’m up close, resembles an arrow instead of a bullet. It looks deadly, its design perfected to fly under enemy radar and spiral through the stars.

The nose is pointed, fanning out in a V before narrowing into a long shaft. It is the latest in a long line of lethal ships Aloysius has designed over the past year. “Can you really fly one of those?”

“Sure.” Bastien doesn’t look so sure as I release his hand and he reappears. He reaches up and slowly trails his fingers over the hull. It ripples, almost as if he’d touched the surface of a pond instead of a metallic ship. “Can you really make this thing invisible?”

I eye the massive ship with apprehension. “Let’s hope so.”

Sliding my own hand across the hull, I realize it is cold as ice, yet the feel of the alien technology fuels are fire deep within my soul. As if some part of me has just awoken. “Can you feel that?” I whisper.

“Yeah.” I turn to find him staring at the ship in awe.

I can sense its purpose through my fingertips, the sheer power and brutality this ship could unleash if given the chance. The urge to set the entire base on fire consumes me as I press my hand flat against the hull.

I cloak myself with anger, drawing on memories of our men’s screams. The metal warms, glowing deep amber
at first, and then it slowly begins to vanish. I can see the barrels of oil that stand behind it, the oil stains that seep out from a rusted hole in the bottom of the farthest canister.

My arms begin to tremble as I feel my powers pulsate. The entire nose of the ship is gone. The cloak of invisibility crawls across the surface, nearing the door. Like a creeping mist, the ship begins to vanish from sight.

My breath comes out ragged as I push with my mind, pressing myself beyond my limits. Nearly all of the ship has disappeared, but I am draining quickly. Sweat beads along my brow and the sound of laser fire fades into the background. I bite on my lower lip so hard I can taste blood on my tongue.

“Hold on to me.” My voice is raspy and thin, but I feel Bastien surround my waist with one arm. The other rises to press my hand to the ship. My body quakes violently, nearly coming undone as he tightens his grip.

With one final push, the tail of the ship dissolves into nothingness. My knees give way and I collapse into Bastien’s arms. Somehow he manages to keep me connected to the ship, knowing if I let go, I will lose my control.

“Very impressive.” I raise my head at the sound of clapping behind us. “Too bad you wore yourself out for nothing.”

The shock of Bastien’s sudden movement makes me cry out as he spins around. The ship, along with myself and Bastien, materialize. The lone figure in the shadows steps forward, less than twenty feet away.

“Niyah!” Bastien growls.

Seventeen

I hardly recognize the girl standing in front of me. Her features are twisted with hatred, draining any hint of beauty that used to lie beneath.

“How could you betray our men?” Bastien roars, his neck blotchy with rising anger.

With her attention locked onto Bastien, I scan the walls around us in search of an exit but find none. I glance overhead and spy long metal beams running lengthwise across the room.
Maybe if I could gather some strength together I could pull one of those down
, I think but quickly realize I wouldn’t have to energy left to keep us safe from the wreckage.

“Revenge is a fickle thing.” A raspy voice draws my attention to the shadows. The hairs along my neck rise as Commander Drakon emerges. “It’s so nice to see you again, Illyria. And Bastien… still alive I see. Saved by your first love and now scorned by your second. Oh, how that must sting.”

Bastien’s grip on me tightens. I can feel him shaking and pray he doesn’t do anything stupid. I can’t help him if he does. It’s all I can do to keep my head upright. I fight to ignore Drakon’s quip as he turns his scathing glare toward Niyah. “Why would you betray us to him?”

Meeting his gaze, Niyah winces.

“Isn’t it obvious? She’s jealous,” I answer weakly.

Drakon nods in rapid agreement. “And jealousy can lead even the best person down a dark path.” I slump against Bastien as my knees quake, giving way beneath me. “I do wish I could have seen your faces when she revealed herself. Did it hurt when you realized she is the one responsible for the brutal death of your men?”

Niyah’s hands clench at her sides, but she remains expressionless. “This is how you treat the man you love? By handing him over to a man who’ll take pleasure in killing him slowly?” I spit at her, disgusted. “You’re pathetic.”

I can hear Bastien swallow beside me but don’t have the energy to turn and look at him. I know what I would see if I did. The hollow man, broken and mortally
wounded, but this time it wouldn’t be me that lands the fatal blow.

“Sticks and stones, my dear.” The wide sleeves of Drakon’s robe waft side to side as he raises his hands. He looks almost feminine in his royal-blue attire. His face is still gaunt and bird-like, his nose severe, and his brow large and prominent with his receding hairline.

“Niyah has her own reasons for betraying you. She has done a great service to our king and will be greatly rewarded for her actions today.” Drakon sweeps his arm back behind him, dismissing her. “You may go.”

Niyah hesitates, her gaze shifting rapidly between Bastien and Drakon. “I played my part. Now give me what is mine.”

Drakon’s booming laughter echoes off the metal walls. “Stunning but naive. Surely you knew I would never keep that promise. Bastien is far too big a prize just to hand him over to the likes of you.”

Her face blots with crimson. “You tricked me! You promised Bastien would be free.”

“And he will be… eventually.” Drakon’s bloodshot eyes look crazed as he turns to appraise Bastien. “Did you think I would give up the chance to torture the man whose life is a constant reminder of my shame? No, my dear, I will have my revenge.”

“I won’t let you do this.” She whips a laser pistol out from the back of her pants, lowering it to aim directly at Drakon’s heart. “I’m taking him with me.”

His smile wanes. “I grow tired of this. If you wish to live, leave now. I don’t give second chances.”

Black-clad soldiers slide out of the shadows, surrounding us. A dozen lasers glow a swirling crimson as they train on her. I watch as the fight dies from Niyah’s eyes, enraged to see that she has resigned herself to Bastien’s death. A veil of red falls over my vision. How can she turn her back on him so easily? Without a fight? What kind of love is that?

Niyah nods and glances back at Bastien one last time before walking away. “Coward!” I yell.

Bastien’s arms tremble with rage. I can only imagine how deeply her betrayal cuts him. Not just of us,
but of her men. It is unthinkable.

Drakon waits until the door closes behind her before ordering his men to lower their weapons. His smile is dripping with venom-laced honey as he approaches. “I had thought you would put up a bigger defense. How disappointing. And me with so many men aching for a good fight. A pity.”

“Well.” He shrugs. “I suppose we might as well get on with this. You don’t want to keep the king waiting.”

I can feel my anger slip away as cold dread washes over me. “And Bastien?”

“He is no longer any of your concern, my dear. I have plans for him.” The crazed look returns to his eyes. He claps his hands in front of his chest, gleefully awaiting what is to come.

“He comes with me,” I growl, fighting to keep my head upright.

“You are in no position to be making demands, I think. Unlike last time, I have the upper hand. Too bad. I would’ve liked to see you in action one last time.”

One last time…
His words spiral through my mind as darkness closes in on the edge of my vision. I can tell Bastien is struggling to keep me upright as I become dead weight in his arms.

Drakon motions for the soldiers to approach. “Escort her to my chambers. The boy goes in his cell.”

Bastien reacts before I have a chance to process that I’m no longer being held upright. I stare in horror as a tawny-haired alien in front of me pulls the trigger of his gun, aiming his green stun laser directly at Bastien’s chest.

“No!” I shout as I crumple to the floor.

Bastien cries out at the brunt of my mental push. He slams into the wall, his head connecting with a crack. He slumps to the ground, unconscious.

“Well.” Drakon chuckles. “I suppose that couldn’t have gone any better.”

In a swirl of blue, he marches over to Bastien. I watch as he closes his eyes. Bastien’s back arches; his mouth hangs open in a silent scream. A tear seeps from his unseeing eyes.

“Get away from him,” I growl as I shove with my
mind. It is a weak push but enough to knock Drakon off his feet. I collapse back to the floor, my arms too weak to hold me upright. I pant, watching as my breath appears and disappears against the slick floor.

Drakon brushes himself off as he rises, patting his hair back into place. He tosses a sickening grin at me before he slams his boot down onto Bastien’s leg. With a nauseating snap, his lower leg rolls to the side.

Bile rises in my throat at the sight of his shattered leg. Drakon rears his leg back and slams it into Bastien’s ribs repeatedly, grunting with exertion. Bastien’s head lolls toward me and I can see his pain, but he can’t seem to scream.

“Stop,” I plead, pressing my face against the cold floor. I am helpless to aid him.

Drakon straightens his robe and steps back. Bastien curls inward, his leg twisted. “As much as I would love for you to watch me torture your lover, we are on a tight schedule.” Drakon snaps his fingers and a soldier rushes forward. “Get that out of my sight. Make sure he is locked up tight. I don’t want him tearing apart the ship in search of her.”

Two guards rush forward, stooping low to loop their arms through Bastien’s. “And, Amden, make sure you double the guards. This one has a few tricks up his sleeves. We’d hate for him to be harmed while trying to rescue the girl.” His snicker lands like a punch to my gut. “That’s my job.”

Tears well in my eyes, streaming down my nose and pattering onto the floor as I watch two guards drag Bastien away. His head hangs low to his chest and I pray he has passed out from the pain.

Shiny black boots pause beside my chin. Drakon crouches beside me. The hem of his robe falls about my face. “No cutting remarks today? I do so enjoy your fiery spirit.”

I spit on his boot, enjoying the way the glob slowly slides down the side. Drakon growls, wiping the offensive fluid from his polished shoes. “You will be taken to my quarters. Don’t bother trying to fight. I assure you, you won’t win.”

The soldier named Amden lowers his weapon and kneels beside me. He wraps his arm about my waist and hauls me to my feet. My knees buckle and he grunts as I nearly spill both of us to the ground. He hoists me into his arms, carrying me like a small child.

“What are you going to do with me?” I ask, my head resting upon the soldier’s chest. His arms are long and lean, clothed in fine muscle, easily able to hold my weight.

“I’m going to collect my reward when I present you to my king.”

The smug look on his face makes me wish I could summon enough energy to yank down the roof and kill us all. “I’m sure he won’t be quite so pleased when he hears how you have treated me.”

A knowing smile spreads along his sallow face. “You have nothing to fear. I know my place. No one shall lay a finger on you. You are safe… for now.”

A deep sense of loathing seeps into my soul as Amden carries me past. “Wait,” I say and he pauses, undecided. He turns to look back at Drakon, and I get my chance. “I will have you killed for this once I am queen.”

I feel a thrill of triumph as Drakon’s haughty smile falters as I am carried through the door.

The room is spinning. Not a gentle spin, but a horrendous, vomit-inducing spin. I clutch my head and pray for an end that comes slowly. The air smells odd, almost as if the room has been doused with smoke and pine. A deafening hum stabs at my eardrums, making me clutch my ears to try to block out the sound. A ticking, rhythmic and constant, makes me clench my eyes shut as it hammers into my head.

“What is that awful noise?” I groan and roll to my side.

Blinking several times to clear my vision, I see a tall wooden box standing before me. It has a glass front, a small square at the top, and a longer piece at the bottom. A pendulum swings to and fro in exact time with the ticking.

Pushing myself up from the bed, I realize this is the source of my pain. I stare up at the box, looking at the numbers fashioned in a circle. “It’s a clock,” I whisper, lowering my hands. I’ve never seen one of these that actually still works.

I turn to survey my surroundings. The overhead lights are dim, allowing my eyes to adjust with minimal pain. Spreading out my hands, I realize the bed I’m lying on is unusually firm, almost as if the thin layer of mattress has been laid over a slab of rock.

The air is cool against my skin. Panic seizes me as I realize I’ve been undressed. I cinch the bed sheet about my neck and peer into the corners of the room, searching for a guard, but see none.

The walls are curved near the ceiling, off-white and shiny, as if glossed. There are no windows in the room. The only light comes from a circular lamp that hangs above my head and small lamps scattered about the perimeter of the room.

There are no decorations to speak off. No pictures or mementos. The room is barren of all evidence of life.

I shiver, wishing I had more than a sheet to cover up with. Leaning to the side, I try to see if my clothes have been left by the bed, but they are gone. “Figures,” I mutter as I rise, wrapping the sheet twice around me and tucking it in at the top to hold.

The floor is soft and warm against the pads of my feet. The sheet whispers across the plush carpet behind me as I walk toward a darkened room to my left. As I lean to peer inside, a brilliant light flares to life, startling me. Before me, I see a small yet efficient bathroom.

Dread sinks into my stomach as I press my hand to the wall, feeling the source of the hum ripple up through my hand. An engine. I’m on the ship and it has already left Earth.

I lean against the wall and press my palms against my eyes, fighting to shove down my fear.
Where is Bastien? Is he still alive?

Pushing back my shoulders, I march back into the room, determined to find some clothes and then him. I’ll tear this ship apart if I have to.

I press a small, nearly concealed button on the wall, and a closet door slides open. My lips press into a thin line at the sight of men’s uniforms, neatly pressed and hanging in a row. All of them bear the red phoenix emblem over the chest, but they also bear the insignia that belongs to only one person: Commander Drakon.

I’m in his room.

Darting a glance around, I narrow my gaze on the walls, hunting for a secret compartment. If there is one thing I learned during our last encounter, it’s that he likes to keep weapons close at hand. Hugging the wall, I trail my fingers over it in search of a seam.

I whip around and drop into a crouch when the door on the far wall hisses open. A young girl enters, carrying a washing basin and an armful of towels and linens. She seems startled by my defensive stance but offers me a wide smile and passes by. She moves into the bathroom and sets down the basin. I can see steam rising from the water.

“I thought you might like to have a wash before we arrive, my lady.” She glances at my face and I wonder if I look as awful as I feel.

The girl can’t be much younger than me. Perhaps sixteen or seventeen. Her skin is smooth and milky, her eyes a beautiful shade of violet. Her lips are pale rose and full, boasting tiny laugh lines at the corners. Her smile is sweet and genuine.

She holds out the towels to me expectantly. I rise slowly but make no move to approach. “Who are you?”