Without Hesitation - Talia Jager (the mitten read aloud txt) 📗

attacked. Your father always had a plan. With the push of a button, the computers were wiped clean and a self-destruct began. They tried to fight their way out, but the lab exploded before they could. Your parents, Bristow’s parents, and the four assassins were killed in the blast.”

“Why did he have to blow it up?”

“So everything would be destroyed, so nobody could get their hands on his research. Your father was a good man, Empress. He did not want his experiments and discoveries to be used for bad things. He wanted to keep you safe. He knew whoever hired those men would want to know who he tested the experiments on and that would lead them to you. He feared that you would be abducted.”

“Like the Splicer children. Caspar was the one who captured them, turned them into thieves, and used them to do his dirty work. He wanted me because he thought I had knowledge of these experiments.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing. I don’t know anything. Did anything survive the blast?”

“The lab was destroyed.”

“What about anyone else who worked with them?” I probed.

“I’m not a scientist. Sometimes your father would ramble about something, but I could never make heads or tails of what he was saying. Atlas kept most of the big things to himself. He and Braylon. You could talk to Ode and Curt. They were his assistants.” Galton met my eyes. “I’m sorry that I don’t have more answers for you. I know how frustrating it is. Your father was a friend to me. I miss him everyday.”

“Tell me what you know of the Splicers,” I asked.

“There were twenty sets of parents who volunteered to bear children. They were sent to live about a hundred miles away along with any family, just in case the children were more animalistic than they were supposed to be. They were to raise their children and train them how to use their animal senses to protect others. When they were adults, they would have made great warriors or guards. They too were attacked and nobody was left.”

“What happened to them?”

“Some were killed, the others abducted.”

“Where did they find the volunteers?”

“All of the volunteers came from right here, Empress.”

I stole a look at Ever, who looked just as shocked to hear this news. She and her whole crew were originally from Valinor.

“What was Project Infinity?” I asked curiously.

Galton hesitated, clearly not comfortable with this topic. “Your father was working on finding a way to extend life.”

“Immortality?”

“More like slowing the aging process down, scanning DNA and correcting undesirable genetic conditions, enhancing DNA, and downloading one mind into another carrier.”

“Whoa…” Ever said.

Whoa was right! I had no idea what to think of this. I understood when Galton said my father was a good man and tried to create things that would be helpful, but all of the things he created could be dangerous in the wrong hands. I was beginning to think it was a good thing everything was destroyed.

“Galton?” Ever asked.

“Yes?”

“Did you ever figure out who the leak was?”

I hadn’t thought of that.

“No.” His answer was simple, but terrifying.

“So most likely there’s a traitor among us,” I said softly, like all of a sudden we weren’t safe.

“I guess that’s one way to look at it. We haven’t had any trouble since that day.”

“Of course not. There was never anything to leak.”

“Unless the leak is the one who told Caspar that Kaci might have information,” Bristow said. “Think about it. If the leak believes Kaci knows something, he or she could have told Caspar and that’s why she was abducted.”

“But I don’t know anything.”

“This person must think you do.”

“Or it could have been a coincidence,” Galton said.

“Caspar’s dead. That doesn’t matter. However, having someone who is not loyal does concern me. Galton, can you quietly arrange for a couple of people you trust to look into this?”

“As you wish, Empress.”

Galton returned to the command center and Bristow had something to do, or so he said. My mind was reeling from these new developments. Part of me wished I hadn’t come back, but when I looked at the horizon and just the joy of being outdoors in the fresh air, I knew this was where I belonged

“You okay?” Ever asked.

“I’m not sure.” It was the most honest answer I had. We walked around the compound. “Do you think the others would like to come down and see the planet?”

“Maybe. I can ask,” Ever answered as she peeked in the rooms we passed. “So, where’s your throne?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have a throne.”

“Too bad.”

My eyes shot over to her at the deep tone in her voice. “Would seeing me sitting on a throne be a turn on for you?”

She took a step closer. “I guess we’ll never know.”

Just before our lips touched, Bristow walked in. “Oh, sorry.”

Ever just smiled and said, “I’m going to check in with Briar. See if they want to come.”

Bristow cornered me while Ever talked to Briar. “So…you two?”

My cheeks warmed. “Yeah.”

“Just one question, Kace.”

“What?”

“She worked for the enemy. I’ve seen her criminal log. Why her? What’s so awesome about her?”

What could I say? How could I possibly explain everything she was to me? Everything she wasn’t? There were no words to make someone else understand. “Do you trust me, Bristow?”

“Of course.”

“Then trust me on this. Things aren’t always as they seem. Not everything is black and white. There is both good and evil in everyone.” I thought about killing Caspar and his man. “It’s a long story and I’ll tell you about it later, but right now, just trust me.”

He squeezed my hand. “As long as you’re happy.”

“Thanks.”

“Good luck with Galton.”

Ever and I waited with Galton and Bristow for Briar and Huxley to jump down.

Briar’s face was lit up the moment their feet hit the ground. “It smells so lovely.”

Huxley rolled his eyes. “I like the compound idea. Doesn’t look like much, but I bet it is inside.”

“Galton, Bristow, this is Huxley and Briar,” I introduced.

“Guys, this is Galton, my second-in-command right now, and Bristow, my best friend and family.”

Galton stood there scowling, but Bristow extended his hand and I didn’t miss the way he held Briar’s longer, or the blush on his cheeks, or the way she smiled.

“Don’t they have any manners?” Galton growled. “Bow before the Empress!”

I didn’t have time to say anything before Huxley replied, “What?”

“It is customary to bow before the leaders of a planet when you are on their planet. It shows you respect them and will obey their laws.” Galton’s eyes looked like they were going to bulge out of his head.

I put up my hand to stop him from saying anything further. “Enough!”

“Empress, this is not appropriate!”

“I said enough.” My hands clenched and unclenched. “Galton, may I talk to you for a minute. And don’t mistake that for anything less than an order.”

We stepped out of earshot.

“I understand your anger toward them. I even get that you don’t trust them yet. But I do and I need you to trust me. If you can’t, you need to excuse yourself so that you’re not around my guests. You will treat them with respect. They do not need to bow. You know I have never been one for such formalities.”

When I finished, Galton took a moment before responding, “I understand, Empress, and will obey your wishes to stay away. But I will be keeping an eye on them because I vowed to look after you.”

“I do appreciate it, Galton.”

Back with the crew of the Nirvana, I apologized, “I’m sorry for Galton’s behavior. He’s very protective and traditional. Where is Zabe?”

“Someone had to stay with the ship,” Huxley answered.

Bristow and I showed my new friends around Valinor until the sunstar went down. We visited the lake where Bristow and I skipped stones, the farmlands, the village, the schools, and around the compound.

“There’s plenty of room here if you wanted to stay,” I heard myself saying. It wasn’t something I had planned. It just kind of came out.

Briar was the first one to answer. “We have to find our families first. Only then can we think about where home is.”

“I know. I just wanted to offer. I wanted you all to know you’re welcome here.”

“It’s a great place, Akacia. Thank you for such an offer,” Huxley said with a warm smile.

Ever had a different kind of look on her face. She was upset.

“What?”

“You’re forgetting an important detail,” she said.

“Being?”

“We’re wanted criminals. You would be charged with harboring fugitives.”

“Oh. There is that,” Huxley commented.

“Maybe the Authority would listen to reason. Since Caspar is dead, you won’t be doing these things anymore, right?” My gaze shifted to each of them.

“Right,” Briar answered and I wondered why Ever hadn’t spoken up. “But I don’t think the Authority is going to pardon every crime we’ve ever committed.”

She was probably dead-on, but I hated it. It wasn’t right. Caspar was finally out of the way and they still couldn’t live their lives. They’d always be on the run.

A big feast had been prepared for my return and Ever, Briar, and Huxley stayed as my guests. Bristow sat across from Briar. I noticed them stealing glances at each other throughout the meal.

“Not bad,” Huxley said with a smirk.

“You could stay and teach them a thing or two,” I teased, but part of me wished he’d take me up on it.

“It’ll give you a reason to come visit us.”

“She’s definitely just going to visit for your eggs, Hux,” Briar joked.

Ever was unusually quiet.

“The eggs are absolutely a reason to visit,” I joked. Turning to Ever, I said, “Will you stay just tonight?”

“Kaci, I—”

“I know you have to get going, but it’s just the night. You can leave at first light. I just…please. I want one more night.”

She reached out and touched my face. “Alright.” Facing Briar and Huxley, she told them to return to the ship and she’d be back in the morning.

Briar hugged me first. “I’m sorry about the whole handing you over thing. I am glad to call you a friend.”

“Me, too.” I squeezed her tight. “Tell Zabe I said goodbye.”

“I will.”

Huxley was next. “There will always be eggs for you.”

Hugging him, I said, “There better be.” In his ear, I whispered, “Take care of her.”

He pulled back and looked me right in the eyes. “I always do.”

“Fare thee well,” I said, giving them Valinor’s goodbye saying.

“Safe journey,” Briar and Huxley said back, then disappeared.

Just as we turned to walk away, I heard, “Akacia!”

“Zabe?” I spun back around.

“Did you really think you’d get off without saying goodbye to me?”

“So you do care?” I teased.

Never one for many words, he wrapped his big arms around me and squeezed. And that told me everything I needed to know. He cared.

After Zabe was gone, I took Ever by the hand and led her to my bedroom. Nero trailed behind. She looked around the room, studying everything from the books to the pictures of my parents to what was in my closet.

I reached out and jerked her toward me, crushing my lips against hers. She whimpered against my mouth. I walked her backward until we fell onto my bed.

The kisses were long and slow as if we had all the time in the world to do nothing but kiss. My hands cradled her face wanting to keep her as close