Leaving Sivadia Read online

  Cieran clamped his large hand on Oz’s shoulder. “That, my friend, is why you hold the title of ‘Sivadia’s greatest warrior.’”

  Oz didn’t like the praise that came with a victory. All he had ever done was try his best to keep their planet and those he loved safe. But he had a bad feeling that this particular victory would be short-lived.

  Chapter 4

  After everyone had reported in, Oz left the command center to go and check on his parents. They lived on the outskirts of the capital city in the small community of Rabak. His father was a member of the royal council, but had never liked being in the city. He preferred the solitude of his home. Oz didn’t know how he would take the news that everyone who had clearance for the launch facility was expected to be there by nightfall.

  If the Haagons returned and fighting ensued, two hundred people transporting at once could be dangerous. A little over a century ago, when the threat of the Haagons coming to their planet had begun, they built a large underground facility and launch-pad. It held five Sivadian ships, three of which were filled with precious artifacts that would travel with them to their new planet. The other two ships would house those who were chosen to go. The royal family and council, along with a few of their servants. The rest were the top people in their respective fields, all of the sciences, doctors, agriculturists, architects, and the arts. Oz wished they could take everyone on the planet, but it wasn’t possible. Five ships leaving at once ran a risk of drawing the Haagons' attention. If no Sivadians escaped, it would be the end of their race.

  Although, becoming used to a new planet would be a challenge, they had been lucky to discover one in another galaxy where the people looked very similar to them. The only difference was most Sivadians were a bit taller and leaner than the inhabitants of Earth. Also, earthlings did not require a blood substitute to survive. Earth was their best choice for a new home. And until Haagons developed the technology to generate and travel through wormholes, there was no chance of them following.

  Oz materialized outside his parents’ house.

  Where is Mother? She always meets me at the door, like she has some sort of sixth sense about my visits.

  He opened the door and went inside. “Mom, Dad?” A loud thud came from the upper level. He went upstairs and froze when he reached the top. The scent of blood lay heavy in the air. He pulled his gun and eased down the hall, checking each room as he went. The door to his parents’ room at the end of the hall was closed, but the strong scent came from that direction. His heart raced and he had to stop himself from busting inside.

  Please let them be okay.

  Oz listened outside the door. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He’d never heard anything like the wet, popping sound coming from inside. He stood back and kicked the door so hard it came off the hinges. An enormous Haagon stood to its full height of eight feet, and it was as ugly as it was huge. Other than their size, they had the body of a Sivadian, but above the shoulders, their appearance got really freaky. The neck and head was that of a hairless, canine with an extra-long snout and teeth.

  The creature roared, and blood dripped off its teeth and chin, drooling down its neck and the front of its body. His father lay at its feet with half of his chest and abdomen missing. His mother was in the corner, her eyes cloudy and unfocused.

  Pain lacerated Oz’s heart at the sight of his parents. He emptied his gun into the Haagon’s chest. The monster staggered backward, but regained its footing and headed toward him.

  Oz pulled double daggers from his holster, aimed for its heart and buried them in the Haagon’s chest.

  A loud roar vibrated through the room. The Haagon looked down and yanked the daggers from his body and then slung them against the wall.

  What was it going to take to kill this damn thing?

  Oz slammed another clip in his gun and shot it between the eyes. The monster fell to the floor and didn’t move.

  A head shot must be their vulnerable spot. Oz glanced at his parents lifeless bodies. Tears blurred his vision and he yelled, “No! No! No!” His legs weakened and he fell back against the wall, slowly sliding to the floor. He’d lost the only family he had, the only people who loved and needed him.

  I should have let the monster kill me too.

  His bloody daggers lay in the corner. A red haze of fury consumed him as he crawled over to them. He gripped a knife in each fist, rose onto his knees and screamed as he repeatedly buried them into the Haagon’s chest. With each thrust of his blades, blood sprayed his face and clothes. He stabbed both blades into the center of the monster’s neck, sliced down the sides and around the back, severing its vertebra. Exhaustion overcame him and he collapsed onto the floor, saturated in Haagon blood.

  ***

  A faint, persistent buzzing started in Oz’s ears. He was face down on the floor. He attempted to push himself up, but it was like his body weighed a thousand pounds.

  Had someone drugged him? Hands flipped him over and he tried to focus on the faces surrounding him.

  Cieran’s face appeared only inches from his.

  “Oz, wake up!” He moved away and said something to the others. Moments later, someone lifted him from the floor and they transported.

  The second time Oz regained consciousness; he was in the castle infirmary. He glanced up at a bag of fluids and followed the tubing to an IV in his arm. His heart raced as the scene at his parents’ house came crashing around him with a vengeance. Movement caught his attention. Cieran stood at the door talking to the doctor in hushed tones.

  “What happened to me? How long have I been out?” Oz asked. His voice was so hoarse he hardly recognized himself.

  They both swirled around and stared.

  “Somewhere between two to three hours,” the doctor said. “You left for your parents’ house around two hours before they found you, and you’ve been unconscious since you arrived in the infirmary an hour ago. The doctor shone a light in Oz’s eyes. “How do you feel?”

  Heat flooded Oz’s face. “How do you think I feel? A fucking monster killed my family!” This guy was an imbecile.

  Cieran laid his hand on Oz’s shoulder. “There were three other attacks. All of them happened outside the city. After we destroyed the mothership, there were four Haagon fighter pilots unaccounted for. Last report we received, they were all eliminated.”

  Oz scrubbed his hands across his face. “Those things are hard to kill.”

  “About that,” Cieran said. “You were covered in Haagon blood when we found you. The doctor thinks some either sprayed into your mouth, or it penetrated through your skin. It acted as a sedative, or created some type of chemical reaction that caused paralysis. That must be how they were able to capture so many people on the other planets they’ve invaded.”

  Oz looked at his arms. Someone had washed the blood off and removed his bloody clothes. “Is there something I can put on? I need to get back to my parents and take care of their bodies.”

  “ It’s already done,” Cieran said. “I sent a cleanup crew in while you were unconscious. Once we get to the launch facility, we can hold a memorial service for them. If that’s all right with you?” He placed his hand on Oz’s shoulder. “They were like my own parents.”

  Oz and Cieran had spent countless hours at each other’s houses when they were young. Since his father had served on Cieran’s father’s council, Oz couldn’t remember a time when they weren’t friends. As they grew into young men, they had fought together, keeping Sivadia safe from invading civilizations. They quickly became known throughout the land as ‘The Prince and the Aristocrat Warriors.’

  When the former king died, it had affected Oz almost as much as it had Cieran. The queen wasn’t far behind him. She mourned herself to death for the loss of her life-mate. At least he didn’t have to watch his own mother do the same.

  Oz pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to staunch the threatening tears. “Have you already sent Ximena and the boys to the launch facility?” />
  “No. Other than myself, there’s only one person I trust with their safety, and he was unconscious.”

  Oz jerked back the covers and was as naked as the day he was born. “Get me some clothes and let’s get your family someplace safe.”

  Chapter 5

  Cy paced in front of the window inside his room, a combination of waiting for his father to return, and waiting for the Haagons to attack. Father had told them to be ready in an hour, but that was three hours ago. Since they destroyed the Haagon ship, maybe he’d changed his mind about going to the launch facility.

  He wasn’t looking forward to staying in that place. Due to the cramped quarters, he would be forced to share a room with Vind. They hadn’t shared rooms since they were five. After what happened in the cave, he’d have to sleep with one eye open in case Vind decided on an encore performance.

  Someone screamed outside. Cy ran to the window and jerked back the curtain. The sky was filled with large, white pods, floating soundlessly to the ground.

  Haagons. His heart pounded in his ears. Where had they all come from? Down below, people scurried around the castle grounds, some screaming, some quiet. They all wore frightened expressions as they ran for cover. Gunfire erupted from the roof of the castle and a few of the pods erupted into flames. Cy itched to have his hunting rifle, but Father kept their guns locked inside a safe when they weren’t hunting.

  The door flew open and his mother ran in. “Grab your bag and let’s go. Your father said for us to get the servants together and go to the underground tunnels. He and Oz will meet us there.”

  Cy grabbed his bag and met Mother and Vind at the door. He glanced back through the family room windows. The sound of anti-aircraft guns firing at pods was deafening. Many were erupting into flames before they could land. But it would take a lot of blasting to take care of thousands of pods.

  How many Haagons would fit in each pod, anyway? Probably only one, according to how father and Oz described them. Something so large had to be strong. A regular body with the head of a jackal, what would that even make them? Lycan or something else? Dangerous, was the only answer that came into Cy’s mind.

  “Come along, boys. We need to get away from these windows.” His mother opened the door and ushered them through. “We’re meeting the servants at the kitchen.”

  As they hurried down the hall, Cy glanced in each room. It could be the last time he’d ever see the palace and he wanted to remember everything the way it had been. He glanced at Vind and he seemed to be doing the same. If he had ever been the sentimental type, he’d kept it hidden. But the longing in his eyes suggested he loved the palace as much as Cy did.

  When they reached the kitchen, Alpheus threw one arm around Cy’s shoulders and the other around Vind’s. “I’m so pleased you both are safe,” he said. Alpheus had worked for the royal family since Cy’s father was young, and had been his and Vind’s caretaker since birth. Although he wasn’t blood related, he was very much a part of their family. The rest of the royal staff came out carrying their bags, and then everyone scurried down ten flights of stairs to the underbelly of the castle.

  Relief flooded Cy as his father and Oz met them at the entrance to the tunnels. Something was wrong with Oz. His eyes looked lifeless, as if a light had short-circuited inside of him.

  They filed into the narrow tunnel one at a time. Due to the metal composition of the rock and soil, they couldn’t transport and would have to travel through the tunnels on foot. They were sandwiched front and rear by heavily armed soldiers, with Oz up front leading the way. Cy’s mother followed them, then Vind and Cy, with his father directly behind him.

  Once everyone was inside, Cy jumped as the door slammed shut and the locks engaged. He should feel safe locked away deep underground, surrounded by so many people. But he felt more like a trapped animal, sitting in a field surrounded by hunters.

  “Father, where will this take us?” Cy asked.

  “We’ll come out in a forest outside the city. Once we leave the tunnel, we’ll transport to the launch facility.”

  “What if the Haagons are there when we reach the end?”

  “We’re prepared for that. Don’t worry, Cy. We will make it to the facility safely.”

  Bile rose in Cy’s throat. There was no one he trusted more than his father. But the sky had been so saturated with Haagon pods, how could any place on Sivadia be safe enough for them to hide?

  They had been traveling through the tunnel for an hour when his father’s com-link buzzed. Cy recognized Oz’s voice coming through the earpiece, and strained to hear what was being said.

  Oz is just up front. It must be bad if he doesn’t want to yell so the whole group can hear.

  “Cieran,” Oz said. “The Haagons have overtaken the castle. The fighters are still clearing the woods at the exit. When the tunnel ends, we’ll have to remain inside until we get the all clear. As the lieutenant checks-in, I’ll let you know how things are progressing.”

  “Thanks for the update.”

  Thirty minutes later the tunnel ended. Oz turned to the group and held his hand in the air. “It’s clear for the moment, but I need everyone to move quickly and to transport the moment you clear the tunnel.”

  Cy’s mother turned and looked at him and Vind. One perfectly arched eyebrow rose, her telltale sign that you had better listen to what she was about to say. “Boys, you do exactly as Oz said.” Her eyes met her husband’s. “I truly hope you’re not planning some type of heroics.”

  “I’ll be right behind them, dear.” A hint of amusement laced his father’s voice. Mother was the only person who could get away with ordering the king around. Their love was evident every time their eyes met. If Cy ever found his life-mate, he would strive to show her the same respect and adoration his parents had always shown each other.

  A tall ladder attached to the wall led up to a manhole cover. One of the guards climbed up first. As he slowly removed the cover, Cy held his breath and prayed the woods were not still full of Haagons. The guard’s body eased through the hole and disappeared. Cy tensed as gunfire erupted in the distance.

  Once they had the all clear, his mother and Vind climbed through the manhole. A hand reached through and grabbed hold of Cy’s arm…his mother’s. As soon as his feet hit the ground, she spat the order. “Go.”

  Cy didn’t hesitate. The air around him shimmered as he followed the vapor trails of the previous transporters. Moments later he materialized outside the launch facility. It was already dark, and Sivadia’s magnificent beauty lit the skies with ever-changing shades of blue, green, pink, and purple. The colors were brighter and more beautiful high in the Sewol Mountains.

  Moments later, his mother and father materialized, hand in hand. She had lectured them about leaving the moment they were outside the tunnel, but she had stayed behind until the last of her family was out. She headed down a ramp that led to a set of hidden doors. “Come along, boys. Let’s get inside.”

  They entered a huge underground hangar that housed all five ships. Their quarters were on one of the two transports that would carry people if it became necessary to leave. Father had said they would remain here until the last glimmer of hope died; the same hope each of them had that the Sivadian army would defeat the Haagons and they could return home. He and Vind followed their parents through the building. Everything looked so cold and industrialized, nothing like the luxurious palace they had lived in.

  They climbed the ramp and entered one of the ships. Inside, it resembled a submarine they once toured. You had to step through each door frame so they could be sealed off from the rest of the ship. They passed what looked like a large control room. Rows of seats lined the walls, each with straps to hold a person in.

  Cy glanced at his father. “What are those seats for?”

  “We must remain in those during take-off and reentry.”

  “Do you think we’ll really have to leave?”

  “Son, I’m not going to lie to you. We are outnumber
ed, and although we’re well hidden here, eventually the Haagons will find us. When I see that they’re moving closer, we will leave in order to ensure the continuation of our race. Do you understand my reasoning?”

  Cy gazed off in the distance, not really seeing anything. “Yes, Father, I understand. I just wish there were another solution.”

  “Me too, Cygan. Me too.”

  Chapter 6

  With a heavy heart, Cy entered the sleeping quarters he had to share with Vind. One side of the room consisted of two narrow bunk beds recessed into the wall. The other wall had a makeshift desk with three drawers on each side. A door led to the smallest bathroom he had ever seen. He could barely turn around in there and would have to duck under the shower-head to get wet.

  Vind had found their room while he was talking to Father and had evidently claimed the bottom bunk. He sat and watched Cy inspect the room. “I’m no more thrilled about sharing a room than you are.”

  “Are you going to try and kill me in my sleep?” Cy asked.

  “Why, brother. What makes you think that?” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

  “Since your plan failed for the Nyrubi to do your dirty work, I figured you would concoct another.”

  “You’re delusional, Cy.”

  “Deny all you want. I saw you smile when it stabbed me. Too bad you couldn’t control the beast, like you try to control everything else.”

  Vind looked at him with hooded eyes, and then shook his head. “The bottom bunk is mine.”

  “Fine.” Cy didn’t want Vind sleeping above him anyway.

  There was a light tap on the door and Cy opened it.

  Their father came into the room. “Boys, I’ve decided you both should sit in on all of the briefings about what’s going on outside of this facility.” He looked at Vind. “One day, you will run the Sivadian army, and Cygan will rule our people. I don’t want either of you looking back and thinking things could have been done differently. You both should know the full extent of what we’re facing and the reasons behind every decision made. They will be some of the most difficult decisions any ruler has ever faced, and I want you both by my side every step of the way.”