“Jovie is my purpose. She is here with me. I am here. My people are free because you helped. This is theleastI can do.”
Aura salutes me with a fist over his chest.
I remove the bands from my wings and stretch them out to the sides. Then I pull the tips together far above my head in a dark halo. “Until Magmium, my friend.”
“May Viestria be with you.” Aura steps back with Eluni as I fold up my wings and hike up the ramp.
“Might take me a second,” I call back. “Since I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“Just ask DIA to help you. Drathious Integrated Assistant,” Aura shouts up the ramp.
I give him a thumbs up and walk up the deck to the pilot’s seat, passing private sleeping quarters for ten, a lunchroom, a weapons room, several bathrooms, and a medical bay, among others that I will have to explore later. Strapping myself into the seat, I find a blinking button for DIA and tap it.
“Hello, Jorusk. It has been many years since I last sheltered you. What can I do for you?”
Many years? She remembers me?
“First, let’s get to the Alien Bride Race in Earth’s orbit, then you can tell me everythingDrathisthat I’ve been missing for the last few decades of my life.”
“Understood. Closing ramp.”
Engines tick and hum as they warm, and the ramp whistles shut. Hangar doors open in front of me with a pale green sealscreen. Aura and Eluni are already inside, based on the camera feeds displayed to my left. DIA talks me through the steps of flying as she guides me out into space.
“Jorusk?” she asks.
“DIA.”
“Do you like to go fast?”
I chuckle. “What kind of a question is that? I’m a Drath, whatever the colony. Of course I do.”
“Good. Hold on tight.”
Engines whir with surprising speed, and DIA thrusts us toward Earth. My body sinks into the seat, and additional straps auto-belt me in. It is such a rush that I can’t help but let out a whoop. “I am going to have to thank Aura later.”
Stars blur, and I finally feel like I have some piece of my life back in order.
“Take the controls, Jorusk. I know you’ve flown before.” An image pops up on a screen beside me, featuring a dancing flame. “Here, your Inferno and mine will communicate. Show me what you want so I can show you how to fly.”
I hesitantly grab the levers in front of me and watch crags of blood-orange light crawl down them and spread throughout the ship. DIA gradually gives me control, and it feels powerful the way the ship banks and sways at my simple thought. I have no doubt Aura and his friend, Elix, upgraded a few things. And I’m eternally grateful. Not just for the freedom but for answers, for saving my people, and for helping me chase down the female who might just be the one.
If Eluni is right.
I can’t deny the way Brynna made me and my Inferno feel. She channeled life, made it seem like I had direction again. I need hope like hers. I want to wake up every morning to her beautiful smile and the way it lights me up inside.
I’ve got to be the one to catch her. I need her, I feel it deep in my core. But the need to keep her safe after what she’s done for my people and what she’s endured is what pushes me fastest. The fear Talhuskins might target her makes me determined to be the one at her side.
Talhuskins hold grudges. Everyone who helps us dies.
I must keep her safe.
Brynna will be mine.
5: Brynna
The Alien Bride Race complex on the moon above Earth is a stunning wonder of engineering with its shimmering blue shield, envirodomes, and the freshly erected defense systems that stand perched all over the lunar surface. The last battle near Earth was three years ago, but Denarso, Novarks, and Nebs are still threats.
And Talhuskins.They have been kicked out of the Federation for their attacks on Drathious and dealings with Denarso in recent years.
