Autonomy: Book 2 in the Invasion Day series (8 page)

Despite her guilt, Kiki was there now, and she wanted answers. She would be strong, confident, and ruthless in her pursuit of knowledge, but also wise when it came to making decisions. Kyra would let her take control for a while, and she hoped with all her heart that it’d been the right decision.

“Tell me what you know about these testing facilities,” Kyra asked Tuka later that night when they were sat together in the dim den, and for a while he did nothing but watch her with apparent interest. “You don’t get to be vague, not after everything I just gave up at your request,” she added, reminding him of what he’d promised on that doorstep.

“I only know the stories I’ve been told, but I’m happy to share them you. I want your intuition and knowledge to help us both find the truth I know we can, if we work together. Will you be what I need? Can I count on you to find and document everything we’ll require if we’re to piece together one mass account of the truth?” She nodded. Kyra wanted that more than anything else.

“That’s all I want,” was her answer.

“Good. Well, we’ve pieced together a few stories so far, and our own experiences led us to the discovery of that mass grave I told you about. Others have slowly come forward, but many are too scared to tell us just how bad it really is out in the slums of the cities we’ve visited. That’s where we need someone like you. Someone caring, enigmatic, and trustworthy. These are the accounts we have so far,” he said, and passed her a notebook half-filled with scraps of paper and a few scribbled entries. “You can be our scribe, Kiki. Fill this and as many other books as you can with the truths as told by the civilians we meet, and I’m positive that once collected, they’ll help us piece together the answers that could potentially help us take down the Thrakorian’s at long last, or at least their government.”

Deep down, she knew she still didn’t want to take Kronus down, but she didn’t say so to Tuka. She had her own agenda, and as hard as it would be to discover the truths hidden in the various stories, Kyra knew she had to, and accepted the notebook from him, as well as the role within his regime. The mission had now become far more personal than she’d ever planned, but for her sanity, she knew she had to see it through.

Chapter Seven

King Kronus finished reading the latest report, shut down his computer, and then walked slowly out into the hallway of his vast mansion, where he began pacing up and down. Every inch of his body was screaming in rage, yet he was purposely poised and calm in his fluid movements, rather than lash out. He had no doubt that if he let himself blow, the home he’d spent almost twenty years refining would be reduced to rubble in the wake of his outburst, so forced himself to stay calm. The mammoth man knew the extent of his strength, and was always careful not to let his rage force his hand. He’d done it before with dire consequences, which was undoubtedly why his relationships with his father and majority of his siblings were so strained—not that many people were aware of that fact.

A passive-aggressive child, Kronus had grown to become a volatile teen, and later an icy giant devoid of all emotion in the hopes that closed-off nature ensured he wouldn’t lash out ever again. Because of that cold-heartedness, he’d spent a long time caring for nothing but his own comfort, entertainment, and privacy—hence why he’d taken an entire island off the coast of England as his own private fortress after Invasion Day. The spoiled Prince of Thrakor hadn’t cared for company or friendships, only solitude and time to enjoy the peace he’d craved his entire existence. Only his personal guard and most trusted servants were allowed onto the island previously known as Jersey, but that was now referred to a Kro Island, and he’d always intended to keep it that way.

“Get me a craft,” he said into what anyone else would’ve assumed was the empty nothingness around him, but he knew his Master Protector, Domo was there, as always.

“Yes, sire,” Domo answered, and he moved out from his spot in the shadows. He went to a small device that was docked by the wall, programmed in the request, and then stood to attention in wait of Kronus’ next order.

The King said nothing. He simply came to a stop and stared out of his window at the otherwise uninhabited island around him. Despite trying to force his feelings aside, he felt something for the first time in his long life—emptiness. He’d finally told someone he cared, and had let himself allow that consideration for another to penetrate his rock-hard exterior for the first time since that night on the rooftop terrace. Kronus still couldn’t believe he’d come across that same girl again, and had been stunned to discover that she’d made her way up the army ladder without ever using stories of their incredible experience to help further her career. Kyra had kept that secret the entire time, and for some reason it’d made him immensely proud of her. He guessed it was because he was an incredibly private person, and the knowledge that she could keep something like that to herself, rather than flaunt her story to anyone who wanted to hear it, was an endearing quality in anyone, especially in a woman. He’d never felt more attracted to someone in his entire life.

She truly was unlike any other woman he’d known, human or Thrakorian. Fresh anger bubbled up in him again when he remembered how Thrayke had described his new lover before he’d had the opportunity to meet her. He’d told Kronus how she was unusual, different to anyone he’d met before. He’d gone on and on about how beautiful, clever, kind, and funny she was, and at the time Kronus had simply nodded along, as if he even knew what it felt like to care for another so profoundly. What had shocked him though, was how Thrayke, the eternal bachelor, was evidently seriously second-guessing his aversion to having proper relationships because of the woman he’d spoken so fondly of. He had then come clean about the treatment he’d asked Greegis to give her, and its success, but it hadn’t mattered to Kronus at the time. He’d had no reason to be concerned for her wellbeing. She was just another human, and another life he cared nothing for, while he remained stagnant and in limbo. Thrayke was his oldest friend, and at the time, Kronus had simply nodded and offered him his blessing.

However, when he’d spotted that cross shaped scar on her cheek, the unconquerable world he’d created for himself had instantly fallen apart. His initial shock had given way to anger, jealousy, denial, and then fear. If Kyra had been killed during her treatment he might never have found her again, and that thought alone was enough for him to issue the order that Thrayke not see her anymore. He couldn’t believe Thrayke had been so careless, and he hated knowing his loyal soldier and friend had been so cavalier with the life of the one person Kronus felt somehow belonged to him. He didn’t even feel guilty for ordering that he break things off with her, only bitter that he’d had the opportunity to be with Kyra before Kronus could steal her away to have her for himself.

But therein lay the other problem. He wasn’t on Earth to take lovers. He most certainly wasn’t there to find a purpose to life other than being a good and loyal subject of his father, King Thrakor. As was his father’s wish, Kronus was betrothed to another—Mariah. When their mission was complete, he knew that he’d be expected to leave this planet behind, and that he’d be married within weeks of returning home. As part of his betrothal, and as was downright expected of him given his nobility, he’d remained pure and loyal to Mariah in readiness for their wedding, as would she have been for him. He’d never so much as touched another woman, and hadn’t wanted to, until Kyra. Regardless of his desire for another though, the truth remained that he couldn’t offer her a future. Kronus knew he would be a better man just letting Kyra and Thrayke be together, but he simply couldn’t do it.

She was his, and part of him wished he’d kept her close ever since Invasion Day. He’d recently read her files and knew what a tough life Kyra had led since that day, and it pained him to think of how hard times had been for her. She would’ve made a superb companion for him to nurture and groom, rather than leaving her to grow up alone and unloved in the slums. But in doing so, she’d blossomed into an extraordinary woman with her own ideas and a voice that demanded to be heard. She’d never have reached her full potential beneath his iron-fisted upbringing. Even Kronus knew that. He was envious of everything she’d become without him, and how happy she’d been in spite of having nothing but her drive to keep her going all these years. Kronus cursed himself for all he’d failed to do by her, but also wondered if he’d even still want Kyra without that clever, headstrong mind of hers.

He thought how his soldiers had never seen him act tenderly towards another, or even associate with a human during his visits to Earth in the years before they’d invaded. Rumors had been aplenty following his arrival on Invasion Day, but he’d soon quashed them and then made sure to never show that side of himself again. Kronus had hardened, grown disinterested and less humane with every passing year, and wished he’d known how to deal with the almost instant demolition of those walls when happenstance had brought Kyra Millan back to him.

“How long?” he barked, having realized a good few minutes had passed while he was deep in thought, and he turned to find his men all waiting patiently for him in the doorway. They were stood to attention, dressed in their black combats, and geared up—ready for any action that might come their way.

“We didn’t want to disturb you,” Domo said, and he tossed Kronus his armored jacket. His Master Protector was incredibly wise, but also very opinionated, even if he didn’t actually say much. By leaving his leader alone with his thoughts, Domo had let Kronus internally analyze all the things he didn’t want to say aloud. None would dare try to make him see sense or learn his lessons, but he could certainly beat himself up aplenty when left alone with his thoughts, and that was often how Domo chose to teach his young King the error of his ways. The two men of very few words worked well together, until matters of the heart had eaten the unlikely one of them alive, and only then had the King come to realize just how much he relied on the faithful service of those he’d brought to Earth with him. “New Delhi?” Domo asked, and his deep grey eyes shone despite the darkness.

“New Delhi,” Kronus agreed, and the group set off for the loading dock at the rear of the huge house. None of them said a word, and while he appreciated it, Kronus suddenly hated the silence. It made his mind wander. He went over the information Thrayke had relayed again, and tried to make sense of the knowledge that Kyra had disobeyed his orders and stayed in the city with the rebel scumbag, Tuka. Her fellow treacherous comrade, Gage, was back at the holding facility, but reportedly hadn’t been able to offer much more than an apology, and an assurance that she hadn’t betrayed them and turned rebel herself. By all accounts, Kyra had refused to come back based on her instincts that they were onto something with Tuka and his gang. Reportedly, they weren’t ordinary rebels interested in fighting the Thraks for their freedom, but a team of specialized recruits working toward another goal. She’d joined them and earned their trust to discover what that goal was, and Kronus had to believe that she would come back when she was ready, or else he was more than willing to go after her himself if he had to.

“We’ve had a team watching the house in which General Gage was with Tuka and General Millan. We’ve also had the underground brothel under surveillance, but both are quiet—seemingly empty,” Thrayke immediately began informing Kronus as he disembarked his craft. He carried on with his update as they walked down the long hallway toward the interrogation room, where Gage awaited the pair of powerful men.

Being back there made Kronus remember the last words he’d said to Kyra, and he wished she was holding onto them now. There was an old saying about letting something you loved go knocking around in his mind, and if this was what that meant, he decided he officially hated humans and their stupid sayings.

“Where might they have gone? Did she give you anything you could go on?” Kronus didn’t even introduce himself to Gage, he simply dived right into his questioning, and then paced the small space in front of the timid man.

“She…she told me about her treatment. There are so many stories about testing going on around the world where humans are the test-subjects, and she had to know if they were true. She’s still undercover, but I’m scared her genuine desire for the truth has taken her beyond just the role she was playing,” Gage answered, and he almost jumped out of his seat when Kronus slammed his hands down on the table in front of him with a loud bang.

“Are you saying she’s gone rogue?” he demanded with a growl, and knew it was coming out like a threat, but didn’t care. There was no way she would betray him, not after everything she’d done over the years to serve his regime and earn her place in his human army. No chance at all she’d fall into the arms of the enemy rather than him.

“No, but I think she’s lost her way. Something has made her doubt everything she thought she ever knew, and I fear she’s looking to the wrong people for the answer,” Gage answered, and then he looked from Kronus to Thrayke with suspicion in his eyes. “What was said to her before we left? Something made the light leave her eyes. Kyra’s passion and drive was gone, and only her uncertainty remained. It seemed as if her entire world had turned on its head and she didn’t know how to right it again.”

Kronus knew exactly what’d made her doubt everything—him. He’d been so up and down he’d probably given her whiplash, and on top of that he’d then played the dumb alpha-male card and made Kyra think he’d actually let her live the rest of her life locked away and alone, rather than happy and fulfilled. He’d driven her away with his selfish outbursts, and knew he deserved to feel the ache currently radiating from deep within his gut. Kronus had never felt the powerful emotion before in his entire life, but knew right away what it was. Guilt was bubbling up inside of him, and he knew he’d never rest until he made things right.

“Get back to the control center and help them trawl through the photos and surveillance footage. Hopefully we’ll find something that might help us find her,” he told Gage. He was back to talking in that same forced, flat tone he’d maintained ever since being informed of Kyra’s deviation from their covert operation, and was surprised he was able to keep his cool. However, Kronus was glad when Thrayke took the boy back to the control room and he was left alone, because less than a second after the door closed, his anger overwhelmed him and he trashed everything he could get his hands on.

***

“Can you tell me what happened to your son, if you don’t mind?” Kyra asked the small old lady sat before her, and she wrapped an arm around her timid guest when she started to cry. Weeks had now passed since she’d walked away with Tuka instead of Gage, and she’d heard so many stories her shoulders were more burdened than less. She’d hoped that in learning more it’d make it easier to understand, or to help her figure out what Kronus and his people were doing, but instead she felt more lost than ever.

Tuka had taken her under his wing, and had taught her to see the world without her previous rose-tinted glasses. Kyra was one of them now. Her opinions mattered, and she was emotionally stronger and more defiant than she’d ever been before. She sometimes felt like a phoenix—a far superior version of her former self that’d crumbled, but was then rebuilt from the ashes of her despair, and reborn with strength anew. No one messed with her, but at the same time, those who were scared and afraid to tell their stories to the others were opening up at last because of her gentle, empathetic nature. Kyra had already filled numerous books with her scribbled notes of stories and experiences as told to her by the civilians Tuka had taken her to meet, and she knew all she could do for now was wake up and start all over again day after day, but that there wasn’t anything else she’d rather be doing.