Drenched: Elemental Warriors (A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Paranormal Romance) Page 22

  Assuming ships had genders, which he usually didn’t.

  “You’re sure?” he asked, because he wanted to hear the rundown of what had been done.

  “Of course I’m sure. What in the void do I look like here?”

  Caldir rolled his eyes without waiting for a response and motioned Sorrin to come forward. They were using the roof as a sort of launch pad for the ship, and it was a wonder their landlord hadn’t complained about it yet. Sorrin meant to be gone before she could start. It was the only place that had enough room for the ship, since it was much larger than his personal vessel and wouldn’t fit in the hangar where he parked it.

  The ship wasn’t pretty, that was for sure. Poola hadn’t been kidding about the state of it, but he hadn’t had to pay for it or the fuel that it would take to get him to Earth (“They think you’re establishing a trade route, and they support that,” Poola had told him when she’d dropped it off; he hadn’t asked who ‘they’ were).

  He followed the smaller man around the outside of the ship, taking in the details of it for the first time. Before, he’d just left it and told Caldir to do what he could, but now he was actually seeing the ship and learning it before he’d have to fly it to Earth.

  It was a large, dinged up thing, painted a rust brown. Either that or it was just that color naturally. It looked like a bulb of some kind, pointy in the front and then bulbous towards the back, ending in thrusters that shot out the back. It didn't look like it would move as fast as one of the ships he was used to from his days as a warrior, but it would do the trick.

  "No windows," Caldir commented. "Except for the big one up front, there. The autopilot looks...functional, but I don't think I'd rely on it for more than a little bit. You might set it for Earth and end up on Erephina. Climate control's in great shape, and everything else seems to be working well enough."

  "Weapons?" Sorrin wanted to know.

  Caldir snorted. "What kinda ship do you think this is? This baby isn't for fighting, Sorrin. It's for transport, usually the transport of goods. There's one bedroom, maybe two if you squint, and the cargo's empty, but it smells like someone was transporting animals back there. So, you know, have fun with that."

  It was fine. It was all fine. Whatever he had to do to get to Earth, he'd do. Ride in a ship that wasn't made for this, leave his life behind, let everyone think he was insane for still chasing this. He knew this was his calling, the only reason he was still alive, and a little set back or slow down wouldn't kill him.

  "Thank you, Caldir," he said, bowing at the waist to the smaller man in gratitude. "Your help has been invaluable."

  For the first time since they'd met, Sorrin got to see Caldir look flustered. His eyes were wide, and a flush spread over his face. He flapped his hand at Sorrin and shook his head. "Cut that out. It was no problem, really. I like messing around with stuff like this, and it was fun. Can't have you dropping outta the sky halfway to Earth or anything, can we?"

  "I'd rather not have that happen, no," Sorrin replied. "Which is why I appreciate your efforts."

  Caldir was still blushing and he kept shaking his head as he moved to head back into the building, clearly uncomfortable with this show of gratitude from Sorrin. "Whatever, man. Like I said, no big deal. I'll see you." He stepped through the door that would lead back to the inside of the building, and then stopped. He turned around and gave Sorrin an odd look. "I guess I won't, will I? That's weird."

  "What?"

  "I won't see you. Because you'll be gone, right? You're leaving? Not coming back."

  "No," Sorrin said. "I won't be coming back."

  "And that's really weird. You're like this...fixture, you know? Like a grumpy chair or something."

  Sorrin fixed him with a flat look. "A grumpy chair."

  "You know what I mean! We're not friends, not really. I don't think you even know how to have friends anymore, but you're always here. Always around. I get under your skin and you tell me I'm a pest or whatever, and it's...I dunno. It's like a ritual. One of those things I always do when I get home from work. And now you're not gonna be here."

  He had a point, Sorrin supposed. While the two of them were far from friends, because Caldir was right, Sorrin didn't have friends anymore, really, but they were a part of each other's lives. They chatted sometimes, Caldir needled him, Sorrin snapped back. It was a ritual, a routine, and while Sorrin was relatively certain he could live without it, he hadn't realized the impact he was making on Caldir's life. He sighed.

  "I'm sorry."

  "For what?" Caldir asked, looking bewildered. "For leaving? You were always gonna leave."

  "For getting involved with your life. That was never my intention."

  Caldir rolled his eyes, looking completely baffled and annoyed at the same time. "Great stars," he said. "You really will let yourself feel guilty for anything, won't you? I'm not upset about it, you sourslug. I'm just making a point. Just talking. I'll miss you. Maybe."

  "You'll forget me." He hoped that was true. It would be for the best. The whole point of moving out here had been to avoid people, to avoid getting anyone mixed up with him again. For their own safety.

  "I don't think so. Gonna say goodbye to your biggest fan?"

  Sorrin didn't need him to clarify who he was talking about. "No," he said. "It's better if I don't. If I just leave, and things go back to normal."

  "You really don't get it. You don't get anything. Having you here was normal. It's you leaving that's gonna be weird, and before you say anything, I know you were always gonna leave. I get that. Anyway, I wouldn't count on her not noticing you're leaving. She's weirdly in tune with what you do."

  Sorrin didn't think much of that as he went back to his apartment to make his final preparations. He had several things left to do before he could leave, and he planned to be gone in the early hours of the morning while people were still sleeping. It was easier that way.

  He'd gone down to the landlady's office to turn in his key card and tell her he wouldn't be coming back, and on his way back up, he ran smack dab into Amalda.

  Sorrin hated it when Caldir was right.

  "Oh!" she said, stepping back, but not without 'steadying' herself against his chest with one hand first. Sorrin wasn't imagining the caress to his muscles, he was sure of it. "Sorrin. I didn't see you there."

  "That's quite alright," he said stiffly, stepping back himself. "Have a good evening." Maybe if he hurried...

  "Are you going somewhere?"

  Great Creators, she was persistent.

  "Yes," he said simply. "And I should get back to my preparations."

  "Vacation or visiting family?"

  Sorrin just gave her a flat look. If she knew anything about him at all, she'd know why that was an idiotic question. "Neither."

  "Oh. Something for work, maybe?"

  "No."

  "Oh. Well, when will you be back? I was thinking that we could-"

  "I won't," Sorrin said, cutting her off. Letting her get herself all worked up about this wasn't going to do either of them any favors, and he wanted to make sure she was aware that waiting for him was a stupid thing to do.

  She looked taken aback. "What?"

  "I won't be coming back," he clarified. He didn't think it needed any more explanation than that, so he started walking again, stepping around her as he made his way back to his apartment, already reviewing his mental to do list on the way. This was for the best. All Sorrin did was disappoint people. He'd proven that with what had happened with Halphia and the way she'd looked at him as he'd stepped out of her office for the last time ever.

  It was better if he just did his duty and then let things lie. No one else would get hurt or have to deal with him letting them down. Since clearly that was all that he was good for.

  But, like so many other things, there was no use dwelling on this. He had a mission, a job to do, and it was best to focus on that in the hopes that it would finally make a difference.

  Chapter Four: Choose


  Everyone was tense that next morning.

  Something had changed when they'd come to take Nathan, and now no one knew what was going to happen next. Where was he taken to? Why wasn't he back yet?

  There were too many questions and not enough answers. What was worse, there was no way to get answers, short of demanding them, and Abby was fairly certain that no one was going to do that. It was for the best that they kept their heads down and tried not to attract too much attention to themselves.

  Breakfast was eaten in silence, and everyone shifted nervously when they were brought their food, almost like they were worried someone else was going to be taken. But no one was. The food was delivered, and they ate, whispering amongst themselves about what they thought was happening.

  The problem was, there was no precedent for something like that. Alien invasion was high on the list of things they needed to worry about in this day and age. Mass shootings, fire, and weather phenomena were what they were prepared for, so there was nothing to fall back on with this. Nothing to tell them what to do next or what to look out for. They were pioneers in this respect, though none of them seemed to think it was anything like an honor.

  The hours after breakfast were quiet and people started to calm down some. At least until another guard marched his way in and pointed to Abby. "You will come with me," he said and moved to open the door.

  Her heart climbed into her throat.

  The last thing she wanted was to be singled out. There was safety in numbers, but once she was led away from the group, who knew what would happen to her.

  It took her some time to move, and the guard made an impatient noise that was more melodious than it should have been. "Now," he said.

  Abby didn't make him ask again.

  The room she was brought to was large and mostly empty. It was also beautiful, just like everything else. The carpet was a rich crimson color and seemed to be covering a floor made of marble. The same marble that made up the walls and the arched ceiling from what she could see. It was a pale, ivory color, and shot through with strands of smoky grey and gold. Windows were carved into the walls, allowing her to see that it was daytime. As there were no windows in the prison room, she hadn't known what time it was for days. This was...overwhelming. At the head of the room was a dais, and on the dais was a throne, and that served as the only furniture that could be seen. Abby cocked her head to the side, confused. Who even had a throne these days? What was this?

  No one was seated on the throne, but the guard who had brought her dropped to his knees as soon as they were within ten feet of the throne. He prostrated himself before it, arms stretched overhead and forehead touching the carpet. Abby continued to stand there, perplexed.

  Why had she been brought here? What were they going to do with her?

  For a long moment, nothing happened, and then a door that she hadn't noticed opened in the wall that was behind the throne. Silence reigned and then the most beautiful woman Abby had ever seen stepped through and into the throne room.

  She was tall and willowy like all the others, but her hair was wound up onto her head in a fiery red mass, a few tendrils allowed to escape and cascade down her back and around her face. Where the rest of her people had rosy skin, she was alabaster pale, and it made her red lips and hair stand out even more. Her eyes were the same gold, and Abby realized that she matched the room perfectly.

  She was swathed in white, the silken looking cloth draped over her body in a dress that went over one shoulder and down to her feet, leaving only one shoulder and arm bare, as well as an expanse of her throat.

  Abby had never been attracted to women before, but she couldn't deny that this was the sort of woman who would do it for her.

  If it weren't for that whole keeping her captive thing, of course.

  She was also the kind of woman who made other women feel frumpy and unglamorous beside her. She was barely in the room good, and Abby already was more conscious of her torn and dirty clothes and the state of her hair.

  The woman wore no crown or circlet, but it was clear from the way she carried herself and from the way the guard was acting like she was the second coming of Jesus that she was royalty. Perhaps she was the leader of these people, and Abby was about to get her answers regarding why they were all here in the first place.

  No one spoke, and the guard didn't move as the woman walked sedately to the throne. When she stepped up onto the dais, one white foot was visible, all delicate bones and creamy pale skin. She made herself comfortable without a word and then turned those lovely eyes onto Abby.

  "You are fortunate, human," she said, and god, even her voice was beautiful. It was lower than she would have expected, but throaty and melodious. A wonderful alto sound. "Not many get the opportunity to gaze upon my visage." She lifted a hand that was heavy with rings and gestured to the guard. "Even my own people do not look upon my face."

  Abby realized she was expected to say something in return, but she was drawing a blank, so she just stood there with her mouth closed, unsure.

  When several seconds went by without her saying anything, the woman sniffed disdainfully. "I should have known you would be a simpleton. I do not think you're up to this task, mind you, but I have been advised that you meet certain...qualities that would be helpful."

  "Helpful with what?" Abby blurted out.

  The guard winced from his position on the floor, but didn't move from where he had prostrated himself.

  "It's alright, guard," the woman said, waving an elegant hand. "You can inform her of her ignorance."

  The guard lifted his face, but only to look at her, not at his leader. "You are addressing Caran Theolette," he hissed, as if it should be obvious.

  Abby gave her a blank look in response to that. She gathered that it meant something special, that this woman was worthy of respect, but she didn't understand, and honestly, she didn't care. Caran Theolette, whoever she was, had imprisoned her, and the last thing she was going to do was bend a knee to her. "I don't know what that means," she said boldly.

  The guard winced again.

  "It's alright," Theolette said, waving her hand once more. "We cannot expect cattle to understand when they are in the presence of their betters."

  She bristled at the 'cattle' comment, but kept her mouth shut. This woman was clearly powerful, and Abby didn't want to be killed right here.

  The woman leaned forward on the throne and continued. "A Caran, human, is a position of power. It is, in fact, the highest position one can reach in our society. It means that I am in charge by virtue of my power and standing. It also means that I command respect from everyone below me." She again gestured to the guard whose face was back in the carpet.

  "I see," Abby said. "Uh...Your Majesty?" she added, trying for respect just enough that she wouldn't get on this woman's bad side.

  "Hm," Theolette sniffed. "It will do. Now, as I was saying, you have been selected to help us. You see, we don't really want your people dead. That would be a waste of your particular talents, and if there's one thing my people detest, it's waste. If a species or race proves themselves to be too much trouble, then we eliminate them, but until then, we keep them. Use them. Give them purpose. Do you understand?"

  She understood that this woman was probably talking about turning humans into servants or slaves or something, and she wasn't into it. "Yes," she said. "But I don't understand what you want from me."

  "Well, of course you don't. Humans aren't really 'bigger picture' sort of people, are they?" Theolette said loftily. "There will undoubtedly be people coming after us. Others from different planets who will seek to save this miserable planet from our clutches. You see, there are some who think we're the root of all evil and will stop at nothing to defeat us. Usually to their detriment, but we allow them to make that choice. When they get here, they will want to speak with humans. They'll want your help to rescue your people. As such, I will be placing humans who are loyal to me with these outsiders. You will report everything t
hat happens back to me, and do what it takes to keep them from succeeding."

  Abby furrowed her brow. She wasn't sure if she was missing something here or if Theolette was really just that stupid.

  "What makes you think we'd report to you?" she asked. "Wouldn't we want the others to save us?"

  That didn't throw Theolette for a second. Instead, she smiled, revealing pearly white teeth that, for just a moment, seemed sharper than they should have been. But it must have just been a trick of the light. "Because, my dear," she said. "There is no way they will win. No one has ever defeated us, and many, many have tried. Even if they all came together with all their power and attacked, we would win. And if I found out that you humans weren't holding up your end of the bargain, the bargain being that you do as I say and I don't destroy you and everything you hold dear, then this planet and everyone and everything on it will be reduced to nothing more than dust floating through the galaxy. Have I made myself clear?"

  Abby swallowed hard. Theolette's voice hadn't changed tone at all from the pleasant, lofty one she'd started with, but the threat was still apparent. This woman meant what she said, and could probably do what she said, too. And she'd chosen Abby for this.

  That was just great.

  Abby agreed to the proposal. Of course she did. Saying no was really very obviously not an option, and she didn't want to see what they would do to her if she was to tell them that actually, being some kind of secret double agent for the people who were hurting her and her kind didn't sound awesome, it just sounded like a good way to get killed.

  But Caran Theolette was clearly one who expected to get her way all the time, and Abby didn't want to burst her bubble.

  "Tell no one," was the last thing the woman had said to her, before she was clapping her hands and getting the guard to take her away. She didn't follow that up with a threat, but Abby was pretty sure she didn't have to at this point.

  Tell no one. Got it.