The Sword and The Prophet (A Syren Novel) (13 page)

“Confirming and acknowledging last transmission. Be advised that Aero Ship Avedal One will rendezvous with your transport ship. What is the status of their arrival at the subject’s location?” He reached forward and pressed the button on the ships console that would dump all unnecessary cargo and weight from the ship. They needed more speed.

“Confirming and acknowledging last transmission. Arrival will be in two hours time, prior to full moon. We will assume possession of all subjects and rendezvous with Avedal One at a later time. What is our final destination?” The voice on the other end was emotionless, and for that he was grateful.

“Confirming and acknowledging last transmission.We will meet further south, along the coast of the Florida panhandle. Once you have possession of the subjects radio in and a final location will be given.” The commander started sweating, urging his ship to greater speed.

“What’s our arrival destination, Commander?” Jackson had known Lukas Morell for almost all of the cycles of his life. He trusted him implicitly.

Forest. It’s usually empty this time of year, and will offer the best concealment for both of our crafts. Based on our trajectory we’ll enter Earth’s atmosphere from the south western side of the United States. We’ll shoot straight over, and hopefully meet with them the moment that they get there. I anticipate our arrival time to be in exactly three hours and forty one minutes.” Lukas looked at Jackson and could see the fine lines around his friend’s face. He had star traveled many times with his King chasing lead after lead about the prince and princess. He hoped this wasn’t another dead end for them. It would crush his friend, and he was tired of seeing him full of disappointment.

“Lukas, if this ship can go any faster, I’d appreciate it if you could get it moving. Make it sing,” Jackson wasn’t kidding. He didn’t care what they had to do, but they had to be there so he could finally see his children in person. He needed to touch them. He needed to hold them. He needed to see his beautiful mate next to his children. He fisted his hands on his lap and thought about all of the things he’d seen in Asrah’s memories.

He refused to let tears over take him, but seeing his twins’ first steps through her eyes, their first words, their first feeling of pain tore at him. He didn’t know what he’d find when he came face to face with his son and daughter, but he vowed to make right everything that had happened to them.

“My love, what’s going on? I could feel you becoming very anxious.” Alexia stopped behind her mate’s chair and rested her hands lightly on his shoulders. She knew that he was anxious, she could feel it rolling off of him in thick waves.

“We’ve got the twins location. There’s a transport ship on the way to pick them up now. They’re running from someone, probably the Sa’Chaelle.” Jackson stood up and turned to Alexia and hugged her to him. His heart was beating wildly, and he crushed her to him harder than he had in a very long time. He buried his face in her hair and breathed in deep. He’d been mourning the loss of his children for so many years that the possibility of finding them again was something he hadn’t even dared to hope for. He’d held his mate in his arms so many nights, feeling her pain as his own, trying to offer her what comfort he could. He knew that nothing except the return of their children would erase her heartache, or his.

Alexia pulled back and looked up. Her mate’s eyes were troubled, yet there was a profound sense of purpose in them that she hadn’t seen in a very long time. She felt hope welling up inside of her, and she dared to dream again that they could be a family. She’d been grief stricken when the twins had disappeared. Her grief was a never changing presence that was with her at all times. She couldn’t escape it, and didn’t want to at times. She’d only been twenty two cycles of life when they’d been taken, and she’d grieved for nearly half of her life.

Jackson ran his hand down Alexia’s hair and smoothed it into place. He pulled her with him towards the main corridor and back to their cabin. He needed the solitude that their cabin would provide. It’d been a hard journey for him and he hadn’t been able to sleep much. Every time he closed his eyes he saw visions of Asrah’s twisted face while she was hitting his son or daughter, and he felt again his impotent rage. He wasn’t used to feeling like he couldn’t exact his vengeance upon someone. He knew in his heart that Asrah was misguided, and confused. He knew that she regretted her actions, but feeling that did not excuse the memories that flooded him when he closed his eyes. He didn’t think he could ever look at her again and not feel rage.

Jackson rolled into the dual sleeping pod and brought Alexia in with him. He felt the need to be close to her and never let her out of his sight. He wasn’t sure how the reunion with their children was going to go, but he was more hopeful than ever. He couldn’t wait to see their faces in person. He knew what both of them looked like, but knew they had to be
transforming. He hoped that his son would turn out to be a Son of the Sword like him. At last, heart still pounding, sleep claimed him.

Richards, who’s actual name was Mikel Argen, looked at the soldier in charge of transporting the twins to the main compound of the
Sa’Chaelle. Their compound had never been discovered, but with the escape of the twins earlier in the day there was no way they could stay there. He’d surprised Lily and Tyler that week when he’d been in Lily’s room when Tyler had opened the door.

He’d lashed out immediately, and disabled them for the briefest moment before dosing them both with Ketamine. He’d known that they were powerful Syren, but their potential was completely unknown. It had taken some time to arrange suitable transportation, but he’d managed to make it happen. He’d had the soldiers meet the van when they’d turned down the drive to the compound, and he’d expected them to fight back, but what they’d succeeded in doing had been nothing short of amazing. They should have been out for at least four more hours, but their bodies had fought off the effects of the drug with alarming speed.

He thought for sure that the twins would be so meek and submissive from their years of abuse they’d be able to take them easily to the compound. It was unfortunate that Tyler had overheard his conversation, but it wasn’t insurmountable.

“We don’t know, General. One minute we’re walking them along fine, and the next thing I knew the girl fell to the ground and let out a scream that made me shake in my boots. I’ve never heard anything like it, sir. Then her and her brother broke free of the ropes and went crazy.” The soldier was visibly shaken, twisting his fingers behind his back. He knew that he’d screwed up royally.

“Once we came to we made it back to the truck and followed them, the path the Syren male who helped them escape made was very evident. We tried to cut them off at the house, but they must have sensed us coming.”

“I see. So rather than wound them or kill them you let them go?” If they weren’t able to absorb the power the twins possessed they were expected to exterminate them by any means possible.

“I didn’t have a choice, General. By the time I was able to do anything I was on the ground. I’m not even sure what happened. I’ve never seen Syren that young able to move like that.” He was literally quaking in his boots. Everyone was afraid of General Argen. He was legendary for being a ruthless leader.

“We tried at the house, sir, but whatever power they have is definitely working. They knew we were coming.” He felt sick to his stomach.

Mikel looked over at the soldier in front of him. “No excuses.”
Mikel walked up to him and looked him in the eye. “If I wanted those children let go, I would have done it myself, as of right now you’re relieved of duty.” He looked over at the sentry by the door.
“Take him into custody, and the other soldiers who were with him. They’re all relieved of duty as of right now.” Mikel wasn’t going to exterminate them, but they deserved the heavy amount of shame that was due them for being beaten by two children.
The soldier hung his head as he was lead out of the room, and Mikel walked to the window. He knew that the children were out of his reach for now, but in the stars he would be able to find them. There was no way he was going to give up on owning their powers. He wasn’t the one fated to absorb their powers, but he’d dedicated the last fifteen years of his life to this mission, and seeing that it was done right, and he deserved to have them. The fire in him raced down his arms and he swelled with energy and power. He wanted that power, and he’d stop at nothing to get it. It was time that The Order had a new leader, and he knew the perfect man for the job.

back to the hotel room, he’d been relieved to see that he was alone in his room with Lily. Lily had tried to talk to him, but he’d just ignored her. He didn’t know what to say. He saw her getting closer to Talon every second, and it made him jealous. He’d never had anyone else share his sister’s attention, and he didn’t know how to deal with it. He was angry that they’d followed him outside like he was a child. Lily knew better than to act that way towards him, and he didn’t understand why she was all the sudden acting like she had to take care of him when their entire lives he’d been taking care of her.

He folded his hands behind his head and let out a sigh.
“I know you’re not asleep Lilybelle.” He could hear the rapid beat of her heart as if his ear was pressed against her delicate chest. He heard her breath hitch, and knew that she wanted to talk to him about what had happened.
“I don’t like this transformation, Tyler. It’s makin’ me feel really weird. Now you look all different from me, and we don’t even look like twins anymore!” He could hear the fear and anger in her voice, and he got up from his bed and went and sat next to her. They’d always been extremely close, and the changes that they were going through scared him too. His sister meant more to him than anything else in the world, and he wasn’t going to let the changes in their lives tear them apart. He stroked her weird hair as she buried her face in her pillow and cried. He knew that her tears were for more than just his transformation. He knew they were tears of frustration, fear, and anxiety.
Tyler let Lily cry it out for a while before he pushed her shoulder to get her to turn over. He couldn’t believe the change in his sister’s appearance since she’d transformed. It was as if she’d become a woman overnight.
“Listen, Lilybelle, there’s nothin’ in this world that’s more important than you. I know I don’t tell you all the time, but I love you more than any person in the world. If it wasn’t for you I don’t even know what I’d be doin’ with myself right now.” He looked away. The moon was shining through the window, and his heart called out for it. He felt the power of it invading him, and he relished the fierce heat that it drove through him.
“We’re gonna be meetin’ our real parents soon, and I don’t know about you, but I’m excited. I always thought Daddy was dead, but knowin’ that we have real parents out there just makes me want to stay alive, and figure out what’s been goin’ on all these years.” He stopped as Lily looked him in the eye.
“But what if they don’t like us? What if they don’t think we’re good enough for them? You know we’re not educated like Talon is, and I could tell he was surprised when he met us by the way we talk. What if our parents are ashamed of who we are?” She knew the only person she could confide in was Tyler. While she was powerfully attracted to Talon, she knew deep down that the one person who understood her better than anyone else was her twin brother.
“That’s what you’re afraid of?” The question rolled off of his tongue before he could catch himself, and he saw that it hurt her feelings that he’d said it.
“I didn’t mean it that way. You got nothin’ to worry about Lilybelle. You’re pretty, smart, and you’ve got more courage than anyone else I know. Well, it’s not like I know that many people, but you’ve got a lot of courage. The way we took out those soldiers today was amazing. I don’t think you understand what we really did,” he knew that she was still in a tremendous state of shock because of everything that had happened to them.
Reaching down, he brushed her hair away from her face and watched as it curled itself around his hand. He put his cheek next to hers the way he had when they’d been really small. “You’re going to make them love you Lily, no matter what. There’s nothing in the world they could possibly not love about you besides maybe your accent.” He smiled as he felt her pull away from him and smack him on the arm. She’d always been self conscious about her deep southern accent, and he knew it would lighten her mood a little if he talked about it.
A knock sounded on the door and looking through the peep hole Tyler saw Talon, Kellen, and Timothy on the other side. He pulled the door open and motioned for them to come inside. He knew that it was almost time for their transport ship to arrive, and he was getting very nervous thinking about it.
“The immigration commander called to let me know the transport ship is going to be here in about thirty minutes. We need to get our things together and meet them. It’s going to be a little tricky disguising their landing, but we’re going to be far enough outside of town that it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.” Kellen looked at both of the scared teenagers in front of him, and knew that they had no idea what to expect.
“I know that this is all different for you, and you’re just seeing and learning things for the first time, and so fast. Trust me when I say that your safety is more important at this point than anything else that I have ever done in my entire Syren existence.” Kellen paused. “I truly believe that you both will be two of the most powerful Syren twins ever born to our species. I am honored to be able to serve you at this stage of your life and ask that you never forget what I or my sons have done for you and your family.” Kellen stopped as a knot of pain lodged in his throat. He knew that his family’s time here on Earth was over, and he had mixed feelings about going back to Amatia Prime. All he could think of was his beautiful mate, and of his failure to protect her. The shame of his failure would haunt him all the rest of his moons.
“Kellen, we will never forget anything that you’ve done for us. Truly, you’ve shown us a kindness that we’ve barely known our whole lives. We’ll always be grateful to you.” Lily stepped forward, and before he could protest she wrapped Kellen in her arms and hugged him.
The weight of her emotions crashed into him, and he staggered with it. He’d never been hugged by a Daughter of the House of Dreams before, and her emotions were raw; wild. He felt the truth of her statement, and he couldn’t help the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He hugged her to him, vowing that he would do whatever he could to protect her. Her emotions tangled with his and he pushed his understanding, and desire to protect her and Tyler into her. He felt her shock at receiving his emotions, and then her grip became nearly painful it was so strong.
Tyler stepped forward to pull Lily back. He didn’t know what was happening, but he knew that Lily was going to break Kellen if he didn’t unwind her arms from him.
Lily staggered back into Tyler’s arms, and sucked in a breath so deep she thought her lungs were going to explode. The fierce heat swallowing up her skin was from the heat of Kellen’s body pressed so tightly to hers. She couldn’t get the feelings that he’d pushed into her out of her. She wanted to feel that
protectiveness, and know that it was truth. She’d never felt that anyone was protecting her but Tyler her entire life, but she knew without a doubt that Kellen would give his life for her, and that he truly cared about what happened to her and Tyler. The feeling was overwhelming.
“What did you just do to me?” Lily looked up at Kellen with intense eyes. He stared back at her with eyes filled with a deep seated sadness.
“Nothing, Highness. I merely gave you my emotions. All Syren can push their feelings into one another. It is how we speak the truth to each other. It is the way of our species. You can not deceive a Syren. With the power of touch we are all able to discern truth, all able to feel the wrong or right in what another Syren is feeling or saying. Have you never pushed your emotions into your brother or had the same done to you?” Kellen was surprised, again, although he knew that he shouldn’t be. Nothing about the twins life should be a surprise to him, but he had to mentally hold himself back from asking them more questions. He knew that their life to date had not been easy, and he did not want to pry into affairs that were none of his to know.
“No, I’ve never felt that before, ever. It felt so right. I didn’t think I would ever feel that way or know those kinds a feelings from anyone but Tyler.” Lily wiped her hand under her nose, and turned her head into Tyler’s chest, and leaned into him. The rush of Kellen’s emotions into her had left her trembling slightly with the power of it. She didn’t know what scared her more, the fact that he was able to do that, or the fact that she really did trust him now. Someone else who could betray her, or worse, hurt her.
“I offer you my sincerest apology then, your Highness, it was not my intention to make you feel uncomfortable.” Kellen looked straight at Lily and sighed. He’d never felt so out of his element with Syren children before. It was as though everything he did was something they had never experienced, and never known.
“We need to leave though, please both of you use the restroom, and do what you need to do. We leave in five minutes.” Kellen closed the door to their room behind him as he ushered Timothy and Talon out of the room in front of him. It was time for them to go. He just prayed that everything would work out the way it was supposed to because he had a feeling that something was going to happen that none of them was prepared for.