Rise of Alpha (The Prodian Journey #1) (40 page)

“Just enjoying the sunshine. I heard they don’t get much heat up there.”
Up there
meant Tranak. Right after our graduation celebration, I’d be leaving everything I knew and loved, including my mother.
 

I looked around the sea of proud faces, wishing with all my heart that Shannon could be there. It wasn’t the same without her.
 

The commencement exercises began. Special awards were handed out, the speeches were given, and then the diplomas were distributed. Since most of the academic awards had been given at a special ceremony two nights earlier, the program didn’t take long. I’d received two awards. Not too shabby for a guy who hadn’t given the year as much effort as he’d hoped.
 

The principal called out my name. “Brian Morrison.”
 

I followed the line of kids who were eager to get their ticket to freedom. As soon as I received the rolled parchment tied with blue ribbon, I turned around and waved it in my mother’s direction.

Back in my seat, I waited with the rest of the students for the graduation proclamation, when we removed our caps and threw them in the air while our Alma Mater played in the background.
 

I caught one of the flying caps and then clapped Darryl on the back. “We did it, bro.”

“Sure did.” His smile turned somber. I’d be MIA for a long time, and our plan to go to the same college wasn’t going to happen.

Mark was waiting for us about seven rows behind, wearing a big grin on his face. “Freedom!” he said as soon as we got within hearing distance.
 

“I thought this day would never come,” I said.

Darryl whipped out his cell phone. “How about a group picture?”
 

Our families tracked us down, and Car took pictures of us with our parents. A feeling of sadness swept over me again. I understood my responsibilities, but a part of me wasn’t ready to let go of my human life.
 

The ceremony was followed by a luncheon at my house at Mom’s insistence. I was in no hurry for it to end, but I knew I was pushing the time, judging by the impatient glances Matro had been throwing my way. He’d been sticking to me like glue but hadn’t said much. He seemed to understand the weight being placed on my shoulders.
 

“Let’s play one last time,” Mark suggested after our third trip to the buffet table.
 

“Yeah,” Darryl said, although he didn’t sound enthused.
 

We played
Call of Duty
three times before Matro entered my room.
 

“Alpha, it’s time.”

The name had yet to grow on me. I stared at my friends, feeling a growing lump in my throat. “I guess this is it.”

Mark nodded, and Darryl sniffed.
 

“I would say email us, but I know you can’t.” Mark extended his fist toward me.
 

I bumped it with mine. “I’ll be back before you guys know it. Remember, I’m still your best man.”

“And I’m chopped liver?” Darryl pulled us both into a group hug.
 

Matro coughed from the doorway. “We have to get going,” he said.

“Remember, I’m going to sneak out if I can,” I whispered to my friends.
 

“I heard that!” Matro’s muffled voice sounded reproachful.
 

Saying goodbye to my mother was the toughest. Her tears poured like a flowing river. I stood and held her for a long time, wishing she could come with me.
 

“I love you, baby boy.”

“I love you, Mom.”

Her hug tightened. “I’m going to miss you.”
 

“You know I’ll be back to visit.”
 

She nodded. “I know. Promise me that you’ll take good care of yourself.”

“I promise. Take care of yourself, too.”

It was painful to think it would be a long time before I saw her again. I hated leaving her on her own. She had already lost her husband, and her son was abandoning her, too. My only consolation was that several fierce warriors had been assigned to guard her 24-7. They would ensure her safety and give me some peace of mind.
 

Mom answered with a sob, but eventually let me go and offered me a small smile. “Go make us proud.”

I watched her climb the stairs before I turned to Matro. “I’m ready.”

He nodded. Instead of taking the cannus as I thought we would, Matro steered me toward the center of my living room.
 

“What are we doing?” I asked, feeling an increasing vibration around me.
 

“We’re going to take a wild ride.” Matro’s eyes twinkled, and he pulled me to stand in front of him. “Ready?”

“Do I have a choice?”
 

His laughter filled the room while he traced his thumb through the air, creating a rectangular pattern. The room started to vibrate, and my stomach churned. As the vibration on the floor increased, so did my nervousness. My Aarmark maturity hadn’t prepared me for space travel. A door appeared before us, solid and daunting. Before I could step back, Matro opened it and shoved me into a black void, then followed close behind.
 

I screamed like a little girl when I fell into the abyss. My head throbbed and my vision spun, but I kept my eyes open, not wanting to miss my first inter-realm trip. Rays of white, green, and neon yellow flashed before my eyes, blinding me. After a few minutes, the sensation of falling stopped, and we zipped along a tunnel bathed in deep red light.
 

Matro kept his eyes closed, his face serene during our entire journey, but I was unable to relax. I lost track of time, distracted by the spasms that radiated from my neck down to my feet.

The sensations diminished, and I found myself standing on solid ground, my heart thudding in my ears. The air smelled clean, almost sanitized, with none of the smog inherent to Los Angeles. As dark as it was, my eyesight adjusted at once, and I was able to see everything clear as day.
 

Matro’s usual robe had been replaced with armor the color of liquid silver and looked like a second skin. It covered him from his neck all the way down to his feet. His face had lines of pale blue running from his temples down to the edge of his chin.
 

“Why do you look like that? Did I miss something?”

“This is what we Aarmarks look like here in Tranak. The shield replaces the clothes humans wear on earth. Do you dig yours?”

I looked down at my body and discovered that just like Matro, my whole body was covered by a similar shell. “Mirror, I need a mirror.”

With a flip of his hand, Matro produced a small rectangular reflector. I didn’t miss the smirk on his face.

“Jesus Christ, this is how I look?” I stared at my face, noting that my usual dull blond hair had been replaced by long, silver locks. My face also had markings—two silver lines that crossed the bridge of my nose and ran underneath my eyes.
 

“Yes. And I must add, you are your father’s spitting image.”
 

“That’s a good thing, right?”
 

“Yes, but it also is a dead giveaway. Our enemies would recognize you from a mile away.”

That didn’t sound promising. “So you’re telling me I’m a sitting duck?”

Matro patted my shoulder. “Not if your guards can help it. Anyone trying to get to you will have to deal with them first.” He gestured toward an imposing portal that was guarded by two figures clad in black armor. “Shall we?”
 

Rather than comforting me, his assurance gave me pause. Should I be honored that my subjects were willing to lay down their lives on my behalf? It was a strange idea to grasp.

My apprehension doubled the moment I stepped out of the gate into my new world, and without warning, stumbled upon the biggest crowd I’d ever laid eyes on.
 

“Welcome, Your Grace,” Matro said with a grin. “Your people await you.”

Books by Lorenz Font

The Gates Legacy

Hunted

Tormented

Ascension

Reckoning

Redemption
– Coming soon

Indivisible Line

Feather Light

Pieces of Broken Time

About the Author

A professional daydreamer, Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. Since being published in 2013, she has been conspiring, butting heads, and enjoying her spare time with vampires, angels, samurais, and other creatures she has created in her head.
 

Her perfect day consists of writing and lounging on her garage couch (a.k.a. the office) with a glass of her favorite cabernet while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She finds writing urban fantasy exhilarating and places an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.

Lorenz lives in Southern California with her supportive family and three demanding dogs.

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