Hunted (Dark Secrets Book 1) (24 page)

I leaned in a little, "What?"

"At the close of every lesson she would end it with something about the gods and goddesses of earth. More often than not she would say, 'Remember the story of the goddess Freya. She is in the most danger and all who can must do everything in their power to protect her.' It was no big deal at first. She told all of her religious stories that way—full of drama and expectation—She would say things like 'the Buddha requires this from his followers,' 'the Christians must treat others the way they wish to be treated,' 'Jews must consider the Sabbath holy,' 'be careful not to anger the Hindu Shiva,' 'Muslims must look to the east,' 'one of the Shik's sacred objects is a scroll,' and 'remember what Confucianism stated.' But always—every day, every lesson—she burned the name Freya into my mind. 'The goddess Freya needs your help.' 'The goddess Freya wanders the earth, searching.'"

"That's why when you asked me my name
…?"

"Yeah, and you said 'Freya'
… "

"And you asked, 'Like the goddess?'"

"Yes, like the goddess." His eyes were hazy as he spoke. "As I was drawing you one afternoon after lessons, I decided I had to find out for myself who you really were." He went on. "I've seen what they do to prisoners here on Cathal. I knew I had to find you and access the truth before I did what they asked. I had to know the truth—because every time I drew your picture I fell more in love with you.

"They sent me through the dangerous and unstable inter-dimensional portal to earth. They say it burns like fire when you travel it
—I was given a medication so I was fine." He closed his eyes against his next thought. "They didn't give you the same counteragent when we went through from Sweden and they wouldn't let me anywhere near you to slip one into your mouth." He swallowed and became glossy-eyed. "That was the worst day of my life—having to watch them do that to you—hurt you that way—and not be able to do anything to stop them. If I had protested or showed any sign of emotion they would have suspected me a traitor and executed me on the spot. Then I never would have been able to get back and rescue you."

I remembered his face, set like stone.
So that was why,
I thought. I swiped a tear that had pooled in the corner of my eye. "How could you tell it was me? I was several years older than in the picture."

"You looked the same, just more mature. I found you in Kentucky. I had been equipped with a DNA meter to verify your identity. Unknown to you, your hand passed over it two weeks before we met
—while you were browsing books at the bookstore. One hundred percent match."

"And you didn't turn me in to the Takers or Morag." I formulated the thought, speaking more to myself than to him.

"I was never briefed about the Takers, as you call them—or their mission. But I reasoned that they must have sent me in because the Takers failed to retrieve you so many times. Although that still doesn't explain why they're kidnapping so many humans," he added. "I was supposed to send the information back—from the DNA meter. Instead, I smashed it."

"That's why you told the leader, Morag, that the device was destroyed on transfiguration."

"Yes. I had watched you with Piper and saw the love you showed her. Then I saw how you saved that dazed girl by pulling her into the van, and you warned me about that kid in the road, and you risked yourself to help me to safety. I knew you were good—that you weren't some secret super-terrorist. Whatever Morag's plans, I knew I would never turn you over to him and decided I would stay close to you and protect you from him—and anyone else that tried to hurt you for that matter. For the first time, my life actually made sense. I meant it when I said that if my life and training had allowed me to defend you, then I had a purpose." He searched my eyes for redemption.

"How did we get found out?" I asked softly.

His face hardened. "Mikkelsson. He never tripped. He deliberately fell into you to take a sample of your DNA." He looked down at my arm and so did I. The wounds were no longer infected thanks to Theron's care. They were healing into scars. "All he had to do was snip a strand of your hair or swab your tea cup. He purposely, maliciously hurt you."

Scars so that I would always remember. Scars of betrayal. "Mikkelsson must have betrayed my mom too."

"I've thought about your mother, and I have a strong theory."

"What is it?"

"The woman who tutored me—the one who taught me about the goddess Freya's plight."

"You think she was
… "

"Why else would she have risked her life by feeding me a code? She knew your name," he said.

"That means she's here. That they have her," I said, fear and excitement mixing into an unknown emotion.

"Morag has her
—and he's fooled all of the worlds into believing he's an ambassador for peace. We were always taught that he was one of the great Twelve to admire. I don't know what he's planning, but it obviously isn't good." He paused for a moment. "Freya, I would have fought them all—but they were just pouring into the room so fast. They would have killed me and you would have had no chance. I knew the only way to save you was to act like I was doing my job. And I'm so sorry you had to wait for so long. I was forced to debrief. The moment they released me, I made my way to you."

"What were they doing with my blood?"

"I don't know what they want with your blood."

"Was it the travel that made me so sick? Or did they do something else to me?"

"They didn't administer the transfiguration medication so they probably didn't vaccinate you for the many diseases on Cathal either. Your immune system has been under serious stress. And without them feeding or hydrating you—Morag was torturing you."

My fingertips grazed my collarbone. "He wants my necklace. Kept calling it
Brísingamen
. But I lost it when they broke into the hotel."

"I have it," Theron said.

"You have
what?
" I asked sure I had misheard him.

"Your necklace. The
Brísingamen
!" He hopped up and took my backpack out from underneath a brown cover on the other side of the room.

"My pack!"

Theron unzipped it and removed his thick, warm jacket. "When they first busted in, I slipped it into my knee-high sock without anyone noticing. Then, when I got the chance, I hid it in the inner lining of my coat so they wouldn't find it when they searched our stuff." He set the pack down next to me then retrieved my necklace and placed it in my hand.

My tears dropped onto the amber gems. "I thought you betrayed me and gave them the necklace."

"Of course you would have thought that. How could you have thought anything else—after they—and I… " His voice trailed off.

"Thank you," I whispered, as warm tears of understanding, relief and happiness came. I was still alive. My mother might be right here on this planet. My necklace was in my hands. And Theron was still
my
Theron. "I forgive you."

"What
—did you say?" he asked slowly.

"I forgive you." I looked right into his brown eyes.

His eyebrows furrowed and a look of unfathomable disbelief covered his face. He shook his head slightly. "What I did was unforgivable."

I reached for his hand. The exertion was exhausting, but I tugged him down next to me again. "Theron, it is forgivable
—and I forgive you."

He put my hand over his face. "I'm so ashamed."

"Stop. You did what you had to do—when you had to do it. You did everything you could. I understand. No shame. No foul." I smiled a little, trying to get his attention. But he couldn't look at me again. Not yet.

My eyes felt heavy and I yawned, "I'm so sleepy.

Theron still didn't look me in the eyes, but he helped lower me back down and tucked me underneath the pile of warm blankets. "It's the herbal mixture in the broth—it will help you rest and your body to recover."

"Come lay next to me," I said.

He went several feet away from me and got a couple of blankets that he must have used while I was unconscious. He set them next to mine. "Are you sure?"

I nodded and smiled encouragingly. He lay down, and I put my head on his chest. I felt whole again. "What will we do now?"

"We stay here where it's safe until you're fully better," he said, wrapping his arm around me. The pressure felt like safety.

"What if they find us?"

"They won't. Their radar and satellite systems can't maneuver in these catacombs. Once you're recovered we'll formulate some sort of plan, even though our scenarios are extremely limited. You'll be back to yourself in a couple of weeks."

"Theron?"

"Yes?"

"Are your eyes really chocolate brown?" I fell asleep before I heard his reply.

~

I woke up sometime later with Theron's arm still around me. Since I couldn't see the sun I had no idea what time it was. But I felt
—energetic. I stirred, and Theron was immediately awake.

"You okay?"

"Yes. Actually, I feel really good. I'd like to stand up and stretch out my legs—and get my muscles working again."

"All right then." He stood and stretched his arms over his head. "Let's get you to your feet." He placed his hands under my arms for support and carefully hoisted me up. My feeble legs took a few moments before they remembered how to carry my weight. Theron braced me as I took a couple tentative steps forward.

"I should sit back down," I said quickly. My muscles were almost unusable and my head was woozy.

"Maybe just sitting is a better idea," he suggested.

Back to the blankets I went. I wasn't too bad, though. I had managed to stand up (though it may have been a little much), and I was sitting and wiggling with no problem. Improvement.

Theron warmed up some more broth but mixed in some soft foods. The puree looked like vegetables and potatoes. It was delicious.

Then I remembered. "Your real eye color?"

Theron was eating a variation of the same soup, only his had chunks in it. He didn't look at me.

"I want to see… " I urged him.

"No you don't
—it will just freak you out."

So they weren't brown. "After what you told me yesterday
—you couldn't freak me out any more than I already am," I assured him.

"Yes I could." He took another bite then looked at me.

"No more secrets," I reminded him.

He nodded. "I've been wearing lenses to hide my eye color. No one on Earth has violet eyes. If they upset you I can put them back in." He turned the other way, shifted his head and put the contacts onto his fingers. He turned back to me with his eyes still closed.

"Just do it!"

He opened his eyes. I hitched in a breath. They weren't odd or frightening at all on him. They were gorgeous
—exquisite. His black hair, cream colored skin and long black lashes contrasted with the bright violet.

"They're beautiful." I reached up and ran my thumbs across the upper lids of his eyes and trailed them to the hollows underneath. His eyes were mesmerizing, like deep amethyst jewels capturing the light around them and reflecting it brilliantly.

"You really forgive me?" he asked, still in disbelief.

"Yes," I said, hypnotized by those eyes.

He dove toward me and pressed his lips to mine. I pulled back instinctively.

"Don't. I haven't brushed my teeth for over a week!" I exclaimed.

"I don't care." He kissed me again then held my face and examined me. "Are you sure my eyes are okay?"

"They are incredible. You don't have to hide them."

"Okay," he said humbly. "More soup?"

"Yes."

He brought me over another cup as I went through all the stuff in my pack—thrilled to still have it. I even put on a fresh change of clothes all by myself and brushed my hair.

Theron fastened my necklace around my neck. "There, now it's back where it belongs."

I smiled. "I still never got to investigate it. Maybe when I can walk again?"

"Yeah," he said. "But no stress now."

Oh yeah, Dr. Hawk.
"I feel better, having sat up all this time. Can we try standing again?"

"Sure."

We went through the same motions as last time but this time my legs felt stronger. I was even able to walk around a bit. "Can we walk outside?" I asked.

"We're two miles underground. You should give yourself a couple days before you do that. Would you like to walk through the cavern a little? It's pretty cool."

"Okay."

We had only walked a short way and I could already see that they were incredible.

"When you're ready, we can run through them. Several tunnels lead into numerous chambers like the one we're hidden in. There's even an underground waterfall fed by a spring. It's the water we're drinking now," Theron said.

"How did you know about this place?" I asked.

"It was a dark area on our satellite reads. A few years back I wanted to check out what they couldn't see. I figured if I ever ran away it would be a good spot to take cover," he explained.

"Did you ever run away?"

"Yeah." Theron laughed a little. "But not to here."

"Where to then?"

"Earth. Once I found you, I was never coming back," he said.

We came upon a section with massive stalactites and stalagmites hanging above our heads and rising from the floor of the cavern. I touched them with my fingers
—they were cool and moist. I thought about my mother, wondering how we were going to find her and, if we did, how we would get back to Earth. That thought was so weird! These were really impossible questions with just as impossible answers.

By the time we got back to the camp I felt really, really good. I didn't even need to hold onto Theron's arm anymore. The weakness was steadily passing, and my muscles felt regenerated as opposed to being in atrophy. I was surprised, but happy.

Over dinner I said, "I wonder if Cathal was the planet my mother built the Bifrost to?"

"I don't know," Theron said.

"Tell me about the planets again. How are they set up?"

He got his pack and came back with a pad of paper and pencil. "We have three suns spread out across the Novian universe in a triangular pattern." Theron drew three suns, forming a large triangle, then wrote their names in their centers. He pointed to the top sun. "The first sun is Savero, the second one"
—he pointed to the sun on the left—"is Zerah, and the third is Curran. They are considerably smaller than Earth's sun but very powerful. Now, each sun has four orbiting, rotating, tilted planets. Much like Earth, we have life, salt- and freshwater, and seasons." He had drawn four circles in an almost diamond shape around each sun—a small circle at the top and bottom, then two on each side. "The four planets around Savero clockwise are Arcacia"—he pointed to the top planet—"where I was born, Concetta, Adione and Diaphenia. Each sun has two sister moons that can be seen from all four planets. Savero's moons are Silvanus and Selina."

"Do they all have blue skies and oceans with green leaves and grasses?" I asked, remembering our surreal trek to the cave.

"No. The atmosphere around all of the planets is violet and the leaves and grass are golden. Of course there are variations from planet to planet just like Earth's flora and fauna. You have green desert cactus with spikes in one part of the world and maple trees that provide nourishment and change colors in another."

"I get it," I responded. "So, I wasn't hallucinating before when you were carrying me here?"

"No, you weren't."

"All right then, at least I'll be prepared when we do go back outside. Tell me more."

"The second sun, Zerah, is surrounded in the same pattern by Finna, Elera, Zivian and Lapis." He wrote in all of their names. "The sister moons are Ula and Una. Then the sun Curran supports the planets Patera, Notus, Cathal and Gerius with the moons Vesta and Valda. All the moons reflect a brilliant platinum light. And you can see all of the planets with the naked eye—you don't need a telescope."

"How do people travel between them?" I asked.

"By peregrination agents. They're something like NASA's shuttles or New York's subway system, only they're shaped and structured differently, are highly sophisticated and are powered exclusively by biodegradable fuel that is cheap and easy to come by. Some Novians even commute to other planets for work or pleasure. It takes a little more time to hop to a different cluster. The farthest planets are an overnight ride. But no one comes here to Cathal and no one from Cathal is allowed on other planets except for its political leaders—it's cursed. I'll explain that later," he said.

"Wow. It's a lot to take in."

"I'm sure it is." Theron set the notebook aside.

"Can we take a break? I'd love to get washed up and brush my teeth."

"I'll go put some water on the stove for you," he said.

"Help me up first. I want to walk some more."

He smiled at that. "You got it."

I almost didn't need his assistance. I went into my pack
—my beloved pack—and took out my sweatpants and a T-shirt and my toothbrush and toothpaste. "Where can I do this?"

"Right around the side there." He pointed down a tunnel. "There's a toilet pot and a bucket to use as a sink. I have an area to dump it all."

Great.
Invalid camping girl—this was new for me. Oh well.

He carried the hot water over for me and then brought me a cup, soap, shampoo and a towel.

"Thanks, Theron."

He nodded. "If you get weak or need any help I'll just be over there."

I didn't end up needing any help. It felt good to wash my body and my greasy hair. I brushed my teeth and actually felt clean. I put on the fresh clothes and came back to where Theron was waiting for me.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Very good. I'm actually surprised how good I feel. Maybe it's your magic medicine broth." I smiled and lay down in the blankets.

Theron snuggled down next to me. He took a deep whiff of my hair. "You smell so good," he said.

His body was so warm. His closeness made my pulse race again and I liked it. He leaned up on his elbow to say something to me, but before he could, I initiated a move. My lips found his and my hands wandered into his hair pulling him closer. I rolled onto my back and brought him with me until he was pressed on top of me, kissing me deeply.