Chapter 2
Zelup Vartik, next in line to the throne of his planet, stood up from the console and stretched his long limbs. The trip in the small cruiser had taken a couple days, and he was finally approaching his target.
Just a little pit stop before things get serious, he told himself, heading back to the bathroom for a shower before he reached his destination.I deserve a mini-vacation. A chance to relax before I commit completely to this mission.
The Great Oracle of Territh, also known as his sister-in-law Mayra, had informed the family that there was something of value in Sol’s asteroid belt. She wasn’t able to pinpoint exactly what they needed, but she gave him a list of images her visions had shown her.
“A cold rock, one among many, floating in darkness. A shiny steel chamber. A figure shrouded in crystal. Two entering the mist, fighting for their lives. A spirit trapped by its own gift.”
“You sure you couldn’t make it any more vague, sis?”
Mayra laughed. “I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em, bro.”
Before he’d left Vartik, he and his brothers had debated the vision, each with their own opinions.
“It’s got to be a Guardian,” Nojan had said excitedly. “They’re spirits, after all.”
“And what of the danger?” asked Juston. He was the youngest brother present and had recently returned home after finishing a tour in the Vartik armed forces. “Two fighting for their lives?”
Marek tapped his forefinger against his strong chin. “We have to expect danger. Anything to do with the Crown Prince of Hell and his minions will be understandably perilous.”
“Geez, big bro,” Calabez said from his position in the corner, head leaned back, eyes closed. “Couldn’t you find a female with a little less baggage?”
Zelup had laughed. “You’re one to talk, Cal. With all the women you’ve bedded, it’s unlikely you’ve escaped their drama unscathed.”
His brother’s eyes had cracked open, exposing their green glow as he shook his head. “I’m thehit it and quit ittype. The ladies know better than to expect anything more.”
“Enjoy your meaningless flings while you can, brother,” Nojan said with a serious expression. “When you find the female that completes you, you’ll realize how unfulfilling they are.”
Cal shrugged. “Says you. I’m completely comfortable fucking anything that comes my way and then moving on.”
Marek scowled. “Can we stay on topic for five minutes, gentlemen? I want to get home to my queen and our babes.”
“Fatherhood has changed you,” Calabez said with a yawn, standing up. “You’ve lost your edge.”
Marek laughed. “If you believe that, you’re an idiot. I’ll defend my family against any threat, without hesitation.”
“That’s a tall order,” Juston mumbled.
Marek, current King of Vartik and perennial badass, growled in response. “Is there a problem, baby brother?”
“None whatsoever,” Juston replied, his eyes fierce. “At least, none beyond the fact that your queen has charged us with a near impossible task. Not only are we to keep her safe from a veritable army of supernatural enemies, but we’re also supposed to go into Hell itself and rescue her brother from whatever stinking pit the Crown Prince of Hell put him in. No sweat.”
Calabez slapped his brother on the back. “Welcome to the party, youngster. Things are just getting started.”
“Enough,” Zelup had said, his tone brooking no argument. “The fact is, we have scant information on our target, but that doesn’t make the mission impossible.”
Nojan nodded. “And my lovely bride has been working with our sister to discover a more precise location.”
Zelup’s brow had risen. He’d not heard of this development. “And what have they discovered?”
“You’re headed to Sol, brother,” Nojan had said.
As his ship breached the Sol system, Zelup was thankful that the oracle and his little sister, a powerful empath in her own right, had narrowed things down for him. There were plenty of “cold rocks” in the seven known galaxies, including the asteroid belt that was his current target.
Now he would spend the next few days determining which of the asteroids could be hiding the thing he was after. He had next to nothing to go on, other than being told that what he’d find there would be vital to their mission. It was worse than the proverbial needle in a haystack. Maybe if the needle was the size of a single atom and the haystack was taller than the Royal Mountain of Vartik.
But before he’d start doing his rock-to-rock search, he planned to make a little stop of his own. Once he’d heard that Sol would be his target, Zelup had promised himself a chance to relax at the Double V before things got too serious.
