Dovetailed (8 page)

Blue and green lights shot past them. Two different ships were hit and spun out of control, smashing into the ground. He would’ve expected more noise: shouting, cries of pain. But he didn’t see anyone, only the strange looking ships. They reminded him of eggs, but they were colored: some red, some black, some gray, and some yellow, like Easter eggs. The thought made him snort. He remembered the way the Transports looked, like marshmallows, and thought either Kelarian transportation was weird or he just always had food on the brain.

What is it, child?
Sadraden asked.

“Nothing.” He didn’t want to distract her from her flying, although he got the feeling she was enjoying herself.

He leaned over Sadraden’s side as another ship spun out of control and slammed into the ground. It exploded. It was weird, though, because where he could normally sense the presence of souls, there weren’t any.

“Are the spacecraft flown by Kelvieri?” he asked Sadraden.

No. They’re flown remotely
.

“Oh.” That explained it. It also made him feel better. At least no one was dying or injured.

Flames blazed so high it looked like the sky was on fire. Sadraden continued to dodge and weave as they rose higher.

Michael expected to feel a chill or a change in air pressure as the atmosphere thinned. He didn’t. It all felt the same, as though he were floating lazily on a warm summer day.

Are you cold?
Sadraden asked.

“No,” Michael responded. “I feel fine.”

She huffed and shook her mane.
It must be the alien in you
.

Michael laughed. “Must be.”

The clouds vanished and they passed through the atmosphere. All around them was space, inky blackness dotted with stars so close he thought he could touch them. Planets. He saw the moons orbiting Kelari and marveled at how big they were.

He turned back, interested in seeing what Kelari looked like from space. It was beautiful, a lot like Earth in that it was made up mostly of water, but the colors were different. The water appeared more green-blue. The land was covered in a gray haze. Those parts of the land still untouched by the war were violet and deep green.

“It’s beautiful,” he admired.

It certainly is
.

He readjusted himself on Sadraden. “How far is the Leviathan’s world from Kelari?”

For me, not far at all. Not more than a day, a day and a half at most
.

Michael gasped. “That’s much longer than I expected.”

Sadraden snorted.
Relax and enjoy the ride. I’m flying as fast as I can.

Michael patted her neck. “I know you are. Sorry.”

She shook her head and roared.
“No apologies.”

They flew in silence a while.

What do you think of Space? Is it bothering you yet?

Space was vast. He’d never felt like a speck of dust before, but it wasn’t bothering him. Several times he looked back at Kelari and watched as it got smaller. He couldn’t help but think about how all the stresses of day-to-day life seemed less important from this vantage point.

“Not at all,” he said, answering her question and scratching behind her ear.

Good
.

“It’s actually amazing,” he added, lifting his arms in the air and letting out a shout.

Sadraden roared her agreement.
Flying is the best feeling in the world. I’ve been too long without it
. He wondered how Sadraden was handling everything. She’d been killed by Amberlee.

“I’m sorry. Venus told me what happened.”

Yes, it was unfortunate. Sometimes we do crazy things for love, especially when we’re young, as Amberlee is
.

Michael snorted. That was true. He’d risked his life to save Venus. At least he thought he had when he got in the Transport. He’d expected Kelarian air to do to him what Earth’s air had done to Venus. Or worse. When it hadn’t, he began to think there might be something different about him.

He never would’ve guessed the truth. Even now, it was hard to believe.

“Can you tell me about the Illeyse? Where did it come from? Why was it created?”

I can tell you what I know. I’m sure the Sistine Sisters dwelling inside your head can fill in any of the blanks.

We know the story.

Why it was created.

Balance
.

The sisters chimed in right on cue. It surprised him because he’d forgotten about them again.

“Apparently, they can,” he told Sadraden.

She roared.
The Leviathans are part of your heritage, Michael. They were created as a means of stopping the Ferether
.

“They were?”

Yes. As you know the Ferether were gods from the planet Stiel. They were cast out when they went against the beliefs of the First, or the Father. Those, like your father, wanted to create lesser creatures in order to rule over them. The majority believed in creating lesser creatures for souls to live in as a way of teaching and learning
.

Michael shook his head. “If you say so.”

Sadraden chuffed.
You disagree?

“It just seems like the gods created us for entertainment. I had a couple of dozen green army soldiers when I was a kid. I used to set them up so they could battle against each other. It feels like that’s all we are, little green soldiers they’re setting up, just so they can kill us off.”

The irrihunter roared.
A very keen way of looking at it. I think you are correct, for the most part
.

Michael swallowed. He knew to an extent he was being irrational. Venus was a god and he knew without a doubt she wasn’t using anyone, especially not him. Michael felt her love like it was a living, breathing entity. Still, it seemed some gods did treat lesser beings like they were playthings.

Even if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter. At least not to me, and I think not to you either. They may have created us for their entertainment, but I intend to fight for every last breath I’m allowed
.

“Agreed,” Michael said.

The remaining inhabitants of Stiel forgot about the outcast souls until they started hearing rumors of monsters stealing souls. When they realized the monsters were actually the fallen gods they were stunned, and knew they needed a way to destroy them. That’s why the Leviathans were created. It was their job to seek out and destroy the Ferether.

They didn’t give the Leviathans empathy or compassion. They were created solely to destroy. It didn’t take long to realize their mistake. The Leviathans quickly became a much bigger problem than the Ferether because the creatures didn’t care who they killed.

So the Gods decided to contain them and give them a world of their own, hoping that would settle them.

It worked. Once the Leviathans had a world of their own they stayed put. Some, maybe because souls were contained within the body, even seemed to develop feelings., but those who still roamed the other planets had to be stopped. That’s why the Illeyse was created.

“Why not destroy all of them? What’s the purpose of keeping them alive?” Michael asked, trying to understand how all-knowing Gods could make such stupid mistakes.

Some wanted to destroy them, but they were creatures with souls, and the majority voted that a creature with a soul should be allowed to live in peace so long as they weren’t destroying others. Think about sharks or mosquitoes on the planet Earth. Many wonder why such creatures exist.

Michael snorted. “Okay.”

The Illeyse was used to kill off all Leviathans on other planets and, once that was done, the Illeyse was hidden
.

“Until now. Where did Venus find it?”

She didn’t find it. Tortevia gave it to me. She brought it from Stiel. The Gods have allowed us to use it so we can destroy the Leviathans King Antyon has brought to Kelari
.

“And they couldn’t make it easier? Why go through all the trouble with the blood?”

The Gods wanted to make sure that if the Illeyse was found, it couldn’t be used without a great effort and without a creature like you. Sadraden roared. I’m not saying they knew you would be born, but it sure seems like it, doesn’t it?

“Yes, it does.” That brought up a hundred more questions, but he would save them for another time.

Your soul was predestined to come at this time.

You are the key to Kelari’s survival.

It is written.

Michael rubbed a hand over his eyes, suddenly tired.

Sleep if you’d like, Michael. I’ll wake you when we near the Leviathans’ planet,
Sadraden said tenderly.

There is much you must do.

The path is hard, the way difficult.

Destiny.

Michael knew his body no longer required sleep, but seventeen years thinking he was human had created the habit. Plus, his brain could use a break from all this craziness. He closed his eyes.

Dervinias programmed the coordinates into the Transport. As soon as the ship reached space, Cheverley’s body reappeared. It was strange watching a body of flesh and bone grow around the soul. For some reason it made him love Chev all the more.

She stirred and let out a moan.

Dervinias held on to her more tightly.

When she opened her eyes, it seemed for the briefest second that she remembered him. “Cheverley. Do you know who I am?”

She blinked several more times and tried to sit up. “Where am I?” Terror filled her eyes. “Who are you?” She beat on his chest. “Let me go.”

Dervinias knew he needed to calm her down. They were still a few minutes away from Earth. “It’s okay.” He pressed a button and a tray popped out. Carefully he picked up the white sticker and placed it on her arm.

Chev immediately went limp in his arms, asleep.

Tears threatened, blurring his vision. He’d lost everything: his purpose, his child, and the woman he loved. Somehow he would get them back.

“Entering Earth’s atmosphere,” the female voice inside the Transport said kindly.

He held Chev to him. Soon enough he’d have to let her go, and he didn’t know how long it would be before he saw her again.

“Landing in: Five. Four. Three. Two. One.” The Transport shook slightly. “We have reached your destination.”

Dervinias opened the door and peered out. It was dark. Thick clouds covered the moon and stars. He knew A.L.T. would’ve tracked the Transport. He needed to hurry.

Turning Chev in his arms, he stepped out. A dog barked in the distance. The wind, a Wyoming staple, rushed past his face. It was warm and brought with it the smell of wild sunflowers. He glanced down at Chev’s sleeping form. “It’s going to be alright now. You’re home. You’re safe,” he whispered.

She didn’t respond.

He choked down the words he wanted to say. Using Britorent, he broke the cover of the trees and ran along the horse trail near her home, up to the large house. He kissed Chev’s forehead before carefully laying her on the porch. He knocked, then ran into a thicket of trees near the barn. There he waited. He wanted to make sure someone opened the door.

It was a warm summer night, so he wasn’t worried about her getting sick from the elements—but there was a coyote around. He could hear one in the trees near his Transport.

After several minutes, no one had come to the door. He started back, deciding this was a bad idea. He’d take her back to Kelari and explain.

But finally the door opened and her father came out carrying a shotgun. As soon as he saw Chev on the ground he hollered for his wife. She rushed out wearing a bathrobe.

Dervinias could see they were crying. Her dad made a call and, not too many minutes later, he heard the sound of an ambulance wailing. They came, placed Chev on a stretcher, and drove away.

Dervinias stood silent for several minutes after they left. As much as he would miss her, he was still glad she was home, that she had her parents back. Before Chev met him she’d been a sweet girl. Kind. Funny. Dervinias knew he’d corrupted her. She’d fallen for him and he’d used her. He hadn’t even felt bad about it… until he’d found out she was pregnant with his child.