What a sad freaking story. So much loss in his life already, and now he was dealing with everything I had brought to his world, with being tied to a stranger. I wanted to apologize again, but my words wouldn’t change anything.
My heart ached so badly it almost felt like I’d been punched in the chest. I was trying to figure out what to say, because comfort was not my thing either, when another member of the council stepped forward. A woman this time.
“It’s time for us to speak frankly,” she started. “To speak about the dark days ahead for our people.”
This got everyone’s attention. Imperials pushed forward, while always maintaining a respectful distance from Daniel. I eyed the shaved-headed aliens around us. Even the women had very short hair; the longest were only brushing across the bottom of their ears. All of them looked hard, wore a lot of black, and had a lot of attitude. Despite this, the expressions shot in Daniel’s direction were a combination of respect and fear. Of all the badasses, he was the scariest of them all.
No one looked at him like a friend, though. Not the way Lexen and Chase had, which helped me truly understand that softening of his face when they had come over to us. True friendship. I’d never had anything like that … like an unconditional love. I pretty much didn’t believe in the concept, but there was no denying the truth of what existed between Daniel and the other overlords. And also Lexen and Emma – that had an epic feel to it. Maybe Daelighters were just more evolved than humans. Hopefully they were.
The council member’s next words were filled with emotion. “At the last meeting we touched on this subject, but we’re afraid this situation is growing out of our control.”
I shifted uncomfortably in anticipation of her next words.
“Carestima lostin aroutina forlessit.”
Okay, then, no need to worry about that bad news.
Daniel helped me out by translating. “Laous has approached members of the human government in the hopes to entice them to join ‘his side’ of this war. One member is now missing, presumed dead.”
My heart and pulse racing, I couldn’t stop a rasp from emerging, a prequel to tears, which I was definitely not shedding. I didn’t know the politician who had possibly died, of course, but Laous had my mother.She’s already dead, Callie.It was a reality I needed to wrap my head around, but it was difficult when my emotions were such a mess. Should I be devastated that a woman who made my life miserable was gone? Part of me still loved her, she was my mother, but I had never liked the person she was. That didn’t mean I wanted her to have suffered a horrible death. I just wished I had some answers.
“The treaty is in great jeopardy.” A different council member spoke this time. Back to English. “Over the next week, overlords will head to Washington to try and smooth this over, and it’s possible that we’ll have to sign new agreements. None of which will mean anything if Laous gets his hands on the starslight stone. We have put word out to the Draygo people, hoping the one who transported the stone originally will come forward. We need to get to it before Laous does.” Another long-extended pause, then the crowds started to talk again. High pitched words of worry and fear.
More council voices burst out, attempting to calm the Daelighters. “We need you all to prepare for what might eventuate,” a man said loudly. “Prepare your people. Search for traitors. If we lose the connection to Earth’s energy, our network will weaken. Over time our abilities will disappear...” He trailed off.
Overworld was in trouble, and Laous was determined to push them all the way to the edge.
“If this is going to destroy your network, why is Laous doing it?” I asked Daniel. That was one part of the story I didn’t get. Laous was a Daelighter. Surely he wanted his world to be as powerful as it could be.
“Laous doesn’t believe that will happen.” That reply did not come from Daniel, but from another man behind us. Fraizer strolled closer. “His theory is that we’re actually weakening ourselves with this alliance. That by returning the starslight stone here, it will boost our network to mammoth levels.”
“A theory I believe you subscribe to also, Fraizer,” Daniel bit out, not staring directly at the slightly smaller male.
Fraizer joined his brother in scanning across the crowds of Daelighters around us. “You’ve always thought the worst of me, brother.”
“When have you ever given me reason not to?” Daniel replied, but without anger. More like resigned sadness. “You’ve gone out of your way in the last few years to side with Laous and create as much suffering for me as you could.”
Fraizer scoffed and walked away before anything more was said. I was frozen, staring between Daniel’s rigid jaw and Fraizer’s retreating back.
“Do you think your relationship is salvageable?” I asked, unable once again to mind my own business.
A tic started high in Daniel’s jaw; his words were rough when they emerged. “I don’t have evidence of it, but I believe Fraizer has been in on Laous’ multiple attempts to kill me. He’s working toward the same cause as Laous and is never to be trusted. If you find yourself alone with him, get away as soon as possible.”
The urgency in his words was enough to have my fear spiking. I just stared, bug-eyed. I had not gotten a murdery vibe from Fraizer at all, but Daniel had no reason to lie about something like that. His eyes remained locked on my face, and I knew he was waiting for me to promise.
“You got it,” I said, “no heart to hearts with the crazy part of your Imperial house.”
His muscles relaxed, and I was gifted a rare full smile. “Going to be quiet back home for you, then. Crazy runs quite deep in the Imperial sector.”
“I’m sure I will fit in just fine,” I said blithely. “Crazy I understand.”
The meeting appeared to be wrapping up. The council added a few closing statements, along the lines of “the world is going to shit,” “hide your kids and jewels,” “every Daelighter for themselves if the apocalypse hits…”
The final statement was a little more positive: “We have multiple plans in play to try and thwart this,” a female council member said. “As we’ve mentioned, we’re working with the humans, and we’re hoping to find the secret keepers before Laous. We will continue to work on finding the Draygo people as well. Keep us informed of anything you learn within your own houses.”
Noise erupted around us in crazy bursts, and I was getting the general vibe that Draygo people were all kinds of awesome, scary, and lethal. “Lexen is one of the last remaining members from that race,” Daniel murmured.
I snapped my head up and blinked at him. “Are you telling me that Lexen is not only a dragon lord with a pet dragon, but he’s … what … part dragon as well?”
