Page 30 of Cheating Fate

“GAVIN!” Khel shouted.

“Sorry, General,” Curok intervened apologetically. “Gavin’s instincts are never wrong. Forgive us, but we must follow.”

Without waiting to hear further, I started running towards the exit. Behind me, I could hear my companions cursing under their breaths before the loud sound of their footsteps followed behind me.

“General! Let him go!” Venya shouted. “Something terrible is about to happen. Except for one path, the others lead to the deaths of most of the children on this mission, including yours. Gavin is the key. Help him and pray that he makes the correct choices.”

I barely made out the last few words she spoke as her voice faded in the distance. But what I heard whipped my blood into a frenzy, and I ran even harder towards my ship.

Chapter 7

Gavin

As soon as we boarded my chaser, I made a beeline for the pilot’s chair and initiated take off. Despite the worry gnawing at me, I couldn’t help the wave of gratitude that swelled within me to discover that all seven Braxians had joined me. I never thought that Nolar or the other four males would risk expulsion by tagging along. Maybe I had misread the depth of his disdain of me. Whatever the case, his presence here felt right… needed even.

I braced for the possibility that the control tower would override the locking mechanism of the doors. To my pleasant surprise, no one attempted to stop us or demanded that we land as I flew my vessel out of the ship hangar.

“So much for doing our clans proud,” Nolar muttered behind me, clearly shocked that he had followed. “We’re all getting expelled.”

There was an odd resignation in his voice. It dawned on me that the same thoughts that just ran through my mind about him were now bubbling in his own head. He didn’t understand why he had followed me, and yet he seemed resigned to whatever outcome would result from it.

“Go suit up,” I grumbled. “We’ll need ram lasers and pressurized shields.”

I didn’t know why I said that, but that, too, felt right. Glancing over my shoulder at the three males, I locked eyes with Vintor.

“Take them to the armory,” I ordered.

He nodded and gestured for the men to go with him. They all complied except for Curok who stayed before settling in the copilot’s chair next to me.

“Where are we even going? Do you know where they’re training?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t. I just let my instincts lead the way.”

He opened his mouth before closing it, pressing his lips to hold back the words burning his tongue. His doubts made sense. I had grown accustomed to people questioning what reasonably would be deemed irrational behavior for a Braxian. Aside from our Berserker powers, my people didn’t normally possess any type of psychic or psionic abilities. I was an oddity that few knew how to handle. I was just grateful that he didn’t attempt to argue or convince me to backtrack.

A part of me believed that his trust was largely fueled by the rescue mission on Haven. The entire crew had thought me insane and couldn’t fathom why Magnar Ravik and my Grappa Krygor had indulged my crazy ravings about rescuing Keran on a whim. But my intuition had proven right and saved countless more lives.

Like now, I hadn’t known where he was held captive on that planet. It felt like a thread tugging me in the right direction. Whenever I strayed from the right path, the magnetic pull would tug even harder. But nothing compared to this specific instance. The pull had never felt this strong.

It baffled me to the extent that I normally only ever got premonitions about people I knew. The stronger the friendship or bond, and the more powerful the pull. This one luring me towards my mate was far more potent than the one that had taken me to Keran in his time of need. Considering she and I had never physically met, how did that even work? Was it because she was my soulmate?

Our souls did touch every night for the past fifteen years.

Although that connection had faded with time, we had indeed met spiritually. Whatever the explanation, I was just grateful to be able to come to her aid.

“Any idea what we’re even going into?” Curok asked at last.

I shrugged and shook my head. “No clue. Unlike the Oracles and Seers, I don’t have visions. All I got to work with are feelings.”

Curok scrunched his face. “So we technically might be running into a trap with a massive army waiting for us.”

I paused and reflected on his words. Another wave of unease swirled in the pit of my stomach. As much as I wished I could have the clear visions of an Oracle, I still responded with a conviction I couldn’t explain.

“Major danger awaits us there. I cannot say what it is, but I know it’s not a bunch of enemies or an army. Don’t ask me how I know. I just do,” I added in an apologetic tone.

Before he could reply, an incoming call request flashed on the giant screen of the vessel. My stomach dropped when it stated that it was coming from Khel. I hated that I had publicly disobeyed his direct command. I hated even more the rudeness with which I had thrown my recruit insignia in an almost disdainful fashion. But nothing would ever come before the safety of my mate. I just hoped we could mend things once all of this was over.

Bracing for what would follow, I accepted the call. For now, we had to save Zhara and the others. I would grovel for mercy and forgiveness later.