Immortal Essence Box Set: Aligned, Exiled, Beguiled (34 page)

“Cool.”

“Alone, she sought for another—someone to share her life with. After many years, she found the
Manshum
Mountains. Shrouded in mist, only the top could be seen and only from a great distance. The closer she came to the mountains, the harder they were to see, but she continued, drawn to them by an unexplained force. Finally, after many moon rotations, she reached the base of a mountain. Once there, she stayed close, searching. She wasn’t sure for what, but knew she had to continue. Many more days passed and Aetha found a cave.

The wide opening extended high above. Within,
the darkness loomed so thick
,
it felt alive
. Fearless, for she knew none, she entered. Never doubting that whatever had drawn her here resided inside. Once she stepped through, a white light appeared and hovered over a form. Curled in the corner, she saw him.

His thick hair, black as night, yet shiny as the Glass Ocean, glistened in the light. When she drew near, he lifted his eyes. Aetha gazed into their depths, the color of the sea, and so full of compassion—and knew she’d found home. He stood—tall and broad shouldered. A smile formed on his lips. She could see he wasn’t much older than her. Immediately, though, she knew, he was hers and she was his.”

“Ith.”

“Yes. Ith had no memory of his family or where he’d come from. His first memories were of the cave. A female irrihunter fed him, took care of him and kept him safe until she died. And then he’d been left alone to fend for himself.

Together at last, Ith and Aetha fell in love, deeply. Their hearts soared with gladness. Love abounded and for the first time they knew perfect happiness.” Venus took in a raspy breath. “But, as you know, nothing stays perfect for long.”

Michael nodded.

“Of course, this is where their story really begins.” A cough escaped, followed by more. Blood spattered her arm and sleeve while she searched for her tissues.

A quick
clack-clacking
. Sharon was coming again. More medicine. She stepped inside and gave her a shot. This time Venus welcomed the liquid spreading through her veins.  

After she’d given Venus the shot, she swiped her badge, bringing back the hum, and then started to walk away.

“Sharon?”

“Hey Michael.”

His flirty smile returned. Michael climbed off the cot and strolled over to his humming wall.

“Would you mind taking this trash for me?” He pointed to the crumpled bag on the floor. “And, would it be possible to get some more tissues?”

“Of course.” She zinged her badge. Michael bent and picked up the trash.

“Venus, you want to hand me your trash, too?”

She did, sensing all
helker
about to break loose. 

“So, Sharon, did my father come back yet?”

She stepped into his cell. “No. He won’t return until morning. You should get some sleep.”

Michael turned and touched her arm. “I will. Thanks.” He handed her the trash. She turned to go. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

He leaned in as though he were going to kiss her. Their
bodies
inches apart. Venus knew milliseconds before she saw it what Michael had in mind. Like a snake strike, he grabbed Sharon around the neck. “Where are the boots?”

Sharon gagged, dropped the trash and scratched at Michael’s arm. 

“I don’t want to hurt you, but I need you to tell me the truth.”

She’d heard that tone in him before, when he’d told his mother to leave. Michael was deadly serious. Venus didn’t know whether to clap her encouragement or tell him to stop.

“Michael?”

“I’m waiting, Sharon.”

Between gasps, Sharon said, “They’re in room 105.
Down the hall.
Take a right.”

Michael let her go and she bent over taking in mouthfuls of air.

“Sharon, I’m sorry. Really.”

She stood.

Michael swung a fisted arm and punched her in the nose. A look crossed her face, somewhere between stunned and surprised. Then her eyes went blank, body slackened and she dropped like a stuffed doll. Venus listened to the thud of Sharon’s body smacking the concrete floor and let out a yelp. Couldn’t help it. Venus hadn’t been prepared for the violence.

“By the Gods.”

Michael picked Sharon up and set her on the cot. She looked like she slept, except for the angry red marks around her neck and the blood dripping from her nose. Michael took her badge and said, “I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for a response, he dashed out of his cell and down the hall.

“
Fabu
, Michael.”

The idea of leaving this place hadn’t really entered her mind. She hadn’t seen Michael’s plan coming. While he was gone, Venus scrambled off the cot, put the tissues in Michael’s jacket pocket and then put the jacket on.

She waited.

And, waited.

After what felt like an eternity, she heard running. Michael slid to a stop in front of her cell.
His animated face giving Venus courage.
Her boots were in his hands. They didn’t look any worse for wear. In fact, they appeared the same as the last time she’d seen them. She shouldn’t have doubted. Technology hadn’t advanced enough here to harm her Kelvieri’s Boots.

He swiped Sharon’s card, which he now wore around his neck, and smiled. “Told
ya
I’d be right back.”

“Yeah, quick as a whip,” Venus said with a snort. Her body felt heavy, as though all her blood had drained into her feet. Black spots flashed before her eyes, and her head spun. She figured it was the medicine Sharon had given her, its effects lulling her to sleep.  

He handed her the boots. “Here, put them on and let’s go.”

Venus moved to the cot and sat, willing her head to clear. She blinked a few times. That didn’t help. With a sigh, she slipped her feet into the boots, allowing the upper portion to close around her calves. Hoping for the best, Venus stood. “I’m ready, Michael.”

The words sounded like she’d spoken from inside a tunnel. They seemed far away. Her head grew more light-headed, a helium balloon that would soon float away. The black spots had become one large black hole. With a hand, she reached for the cool, steel bars, but they weren’t as close as she’d thought. With a thud, she fell onto her side, crunching her shoulder. 

“Venus.”

She tried to reach out for him. He stood in front of her and she wanted to stand. He had other plans. She felt herself lifted into his strong arms.
A cocoon of warmth and protection.
“Michael, maybe . . . “ 

“Stay with me. I know you’re tired, but I need you to resist. I’ll carry you as much as possible, but you’re going to have to help. Okay?” He shook her.

“Okay.” Venus blinked her eyes open. The worry lines on his face made her want to reach out and touch his cheek, smooth them away. She blinked a few more times.

“Put your arms around my neck. I’m going to run.” The command inspired her and she reached out and touched his neck, linking her fingers behind it.

“Done.”

“Hang on.”

He jogged down the hall, took a left, another left,
a
right and stopped. The walls were all the same, a dingy off-white concrete. Every door they passed had a plaque above it, stamped with a number. On the right side of each door sat a rectangle box. Red lights flashing. She guessed that must’ve been what Sharon and Michael used to lock and unlock the doors. The ceiling also looked to be concrete. A long light would appeared every ten feet or so. Some of them had dead bugs inside the fixture. To keep herself alert, she counted the number of steps Michael took before another light came into view. Fifteen.

“Venus, can you grab the badge?”

It’d been squashed between them, but Venus gave it a yank. When it pulled free, she handed it to him. He bent slightly, letting out a small grunt and swiped the card. There was a beep and the door unlocked with a snap. Michael let the badge fall back to his chest and yanked the door opened. The lights weren’t on in this hallway. An eerie red glow emanated from a red bulb above the door.

“This can’t be good,” he said, moving forward.

The further they went in, the darker it became, until they were almost in pitch black. Michael slowed, carefully placing his feet so he wouldn’t run into anything. After a time, another red light shone. Venus heard him heave a sigh. She did the same.

When he reached a door, he zinged the badge and hurried through. 

Out into the sunshine.
Free!
The notion invigorated her.

“Let me down,” Venus squinted, the sky dazzled, a light blue. Clear, not a cloud in sight.

He set her feet gently on the pavement.

“Where too?”

Michael pulled on the collar of his shirt to readjust it and then pinched the bridge of his nose. All the while turning from side to side. She followed him, getting her bearings. A chain-link fence stretched in front of them twenty feet away. It probably stood thirty feet high.
Barbed-wire
curled along the top. Beyond the fence, everything was yellow, dried and flat. Mountains stood way off in the distance, but they looked tiny.

“There,” Michael said, pointing. Venus followed his finger and saw the green army jeep. “Are you sure you can walk?” By his stance, she could tell he was prepared to sweep her into his arms again.

“I’m fine. Go.” She gave him a push. Relaxing her shoulders and taking as deep a breath as she dared, she followed.

He pulled the passenger door opened for her and she climbed in. The keys were in the ignition. Once Michael closed his door, he started up the engine. Now that she was seated and at the mercy of Michael and his driving, a twinge of panic set in.
What if someone sees us? What will they do? Shoot?

Michael threw the gear shift into reverse, backed up a ways, shoved the
gear shift
into first and they were on their way. He drove at a steady pace, scanning the chain-linked fence and buildings around them.

“What’re you looking for?” Venus asked. “Two sets of eyes are better than one.”

“I’m hoping to find a non-manned exit.”

“Got it.” She searched the fence-line with him. On her side were a bunch of buildings. As they turned right, passing them, she saw an exit. It wasn’t unmanned, but guarded by a guy holding a large rifle. “
Cret
.”

The man wore
camo
fatigues and a white hat shaped like a halved walnut on his head. He stood inside a tall, rectangle box. Left of the station box, a red and white striped fence blocked their escape. 

Michael glanced over at her and said
,
“Hang on.”

Venus jolted into action. The black dash was covered in all sorts of buttons and knobs, but she found an empty spot and pressed against it. Then she spread her feet apart to brace them.
Not very lady-like, especially in a hospital gown, but whatever.
  

He stepped on the gas and the jeep lurched forward, barreling toward the gate. The soldier jumped out of his white box, aimed the gun and fired. Michael pressed the gas harder, the engine revving as they careened forward. When it was clear he wasn’t slowing down, the armed man jumped out of the way.

As the jeep hit the fence, it sounded like erupting firecrackers. The broken pieces smashed against the hood and flipped up, crashing into the windshield. She let out a shriek, worried the glass would shatter, but there wasn’t a scratch. Michael gave her a huge grin.

“Bulletproof. I’ve always wanted to do that,” he said with a laugh.

“
Faaaabuuuu
.” Venus
snickered,
glad to be free of that place.

Michael hooted. “Totally
fabu
!” 

They were driving on a bumpy, dirt road. On either side an occasional weed stood frozen in place by snow.
A tumbleweed
, icicles clinging, rolled in front of them. Michael plowed over it. She listened as it scratched its way under the vehicle.

“Do you know where we’re going?” Venus asked.

“No. Not really. But we’re going to follow this road and, and hopefully it’ll take us home.” 

“Great. Um, whose home? Yours?” Venus asked, leaning back against the headrest.

“No, yours. We need to find Zaren. He’ll be able to help you get home . . . back to your planet, won’t he?” 

“If anyone can, it’s him. It may not matter. We’ll see.” She rubbed her arms, trying to get rid of the chill stealing over her. 

Without saying a word, Michael pressed a button and warm air blew from the dash.

She sighed. “Still it’s a good idea.” Zaren would know what to do. She hoped. Right now her body felt good. The medicine Sharon injected her with had provided temporary relief. Wearing her boots once again helped as well. When the drugs wore off, though, she had a sinking suspicion her body would be in more pain. Especially since the medication wasn’t healing, but masking her symptoms.