Dovetailed (12 page)

There was no time for pleasantries. She needed to hurry. Placing a hand on Ander and Wilhelm, she spoke the words that would erase the memory of the recording device and replaced their memories with those she created—that Dervinias and Venus were on a mission to serve Kelari. She placed fake visions and pretended conversations that would convince them without a doubt that their memories were true.

Venus left them in the room, still in a slight trance. She needed a few seconds alone, just long enough to use her power to send herself to Earth.

Part of her was nervous about going back even though Transports were no longer a necessity for her and Earth’s atmosphere would no longer kill her. This time her trip to Earth would be different.

The last time she was there Abe had tortured her. She still remembered the incredible pain, and the suffering still weighed upon her soul. He’d hurt her, not just physically but also emotionally.

There wasn’t a choice, though. She had to go. No one else could save Dervinias. And he deserved to be saved, if for no other reason than so he could spend the rest of eternity atoning for the murders he’d committed.

Sadraden twirled and rolled. It seemed as though the whole world had turned into poisonous tentacles. The closer they got to the ground, the thicker the tentacles got until Michael couldn’t see the bulbous bodies of the Leviathan anymore, only their long arms. Venom excreted from their claws like golden rain. Avoiding both was nearly impossible, but somehow Sadraden managed.

“Can you see anything that would make us believe we’re getting closer to the leader?” Michael asked.

Before Sadraden could answer, the sea of Leviathan tentacles parted. Hovering in the center of what looked like a giant crater of golden lava was a single Leviathan.

Michael immediately knew it was the leader.

It was at least twice the size of the Leviathans above and its giant tentacles swirled around it, almost as though it were dancing. They moved back and forth like the ripples in a current. Its giant yellow eye was fixed on Sadraden and Michael. Watching. Waiting.

A loud screeching noise pummeled Michael’s ears. He growled. He knew Sadraden was feeling it because she roared and shook her head.

This is it
, Michael thought, fighting to stay with Sadraden. The irrihunter seemed to slow and her wings stopped beating.

They were falling, falling, falling.

The Leviathan opened its incredibly large mouth, filling up the giant crater. It was like a cave, black and seemingly endless.

Michael thought of Venus, of all he wanted to do with her. He thought about their kiss in his bedroom, the heat and desire he’d experienced. He remembered the way they’d talked while in prison at A.L.T., the way she’d teased him and told him stories of the Trycarciuss and Ith and Aetha. His life had just started and he didn’t want it to end.

Use your power, Michael.

You are Kelvieri and Ferether.

Different. Stronger. New
.

Their voices inside his mind struck him like a slap in the face and he shook himself out of the paralyzing despair he’d been feeling.

Michael and Sadraden were close.

His first thought was to transfer the Illeyse to his own neck and save the irrihunter. Venus had just gotten her back; he didn’t want her to lose her favorite animal once again.

Hurry.

Hurry.

Hurry.

The Universe seemed to open inside his mind. He saw the Illeyse transfer to his own neck, witnessed the path from this planet back to Kelari, and he wished he could send Sadraden back—all in a fraction of a second.

Michael imagined her making her way through the Leviathans and along the passageway in space until the irrihunter came to rest in safe spot on Kelari.

Abruptly Sadraden was gone.

There was applause in his mind. The Sistine Sisters were cheering.

More powerful than the Leviathan.

Stronger than any being.

Sadraden is safe.

Michael did feel stronger. Different.

He was darkness and light. Good and evil.

He knew what he needed to do. Ramien had shifted into other creatures. Michael could do the same. He could become a Leviathan.

“Cret!” He immediately pictured himself changing. His body became heavy, strong, yet liquid and supple. And he was a Leviathan.

The Leviathan part of his brain wanted to adjust to his new body, but he forced it away and focused on stopping before he entered the leader’s mouth. Its mouth closed and its giant yellow eye studied him. Tentacles reached out to grab Michael. He used his own to fight the leader off.

But he wasn’t accustomed to his new body yet. The creature popped out of the crater and swallowed Michael whole.

Darkness engulfed him. Tiny tentacles inside the Leviathan began to infuse him with acid so that Michael’s body would be broken down for digestion. He knew it was happening, but the acid wasn’t working.

What are you?
Michael heard the Leviathan’s question inside his mind.

I am Michael
, he responded easily, the Leviathan part of him understanding exactly how to speak.

You are something other, a creature similar to those I’ve killed but also different.
The leader readjusted, obviously uncomfortable with him inside.
What do you want?

I need your blood.
Michael decided to go with the truth.

Why? What use is it to you?

There is a Kelvieri known as King Antyon that has taken some of your kind and genetically altered them. They’ve been enslaved. King Antyon intends to use them to kill the inhabitants of his world.

The Leviathan leader growled.
I know of this King Antyon. He stole from me. We may have originally been bred for killing, but here on our planet we are peaceful creatures. We just wish to be left alone.

The leader spit Michael out. He felt slimy, but was otherwise unharmed.

I see you are wearing the Illeyse
. The leader shifted its eye so that it faced Michael.

It surprised Michael that the Leviathan knew what the Illeyse was.
Yes, I intend to use it to rid Kelari of those Leviathans that King Antyon has altered.

The leader gnashed its teeth.

I know what it is and why it was created. If I thought I could take it from you, I would.
The leader’s tentacles wrapped around its body.
It burdens me that more of my citizens will die at the hand of other creatures.

Michael moved himself away. He wasn’t sure of the leader’s intentions.

The leader took one of his tentacles and sliced into his own body. A gooey green-yellow liquid oozed from the self-inflicted wound.
Take it
, the leader said.

Michael moved forward and, using one of his tentacles, took the Illeyse from around his neck and pressed it against the leader’s wound. The Illeyse opened and some of the blood poured in. As soon as the blood touched the bottom, the clear gem changed to a sunshine yellow and sealed shut.

Thank you
, Michael said, moving back.

The leader settled back in its crater.
Now go
, he commanded.

Michael wasn’t going to argue. He turned, focusing on the hovering Leviathans. There were hundreds of thousands of them. If Michael hadn’t known they had the power to kill with just a touch of their poison he would’ve thought they were peaceful creatures. They floated into one another and wrapped tentacles around each other, as though hugging.

Michael meandered, avoiding the touch of as many as he could. Those he did touch gave him a sense of what they were, like an introduction.

He didn’t stop or wait to give them any information, but continued on. When he reached the planet’s atmosphere, he changed into his Ferether shadow.

You did it, Michael.

We knew you could.

Success
.

Michael snickered.
Yes, but somehow I feel that was the easiest part of my quest. Now I’m supposed to get the blood of the fallen. If that’s Ramien, how am I going to get the blood of someone who’s dead and gone?

We may have an answer.

We now understand.

Another.

Modna had returned to the war room without Venus. The Chan leader explained that Venus had to handle something urgent and would be gone a little while, but that they should coronate Amberlee immediately.

The other Chans hadn’t been nearly as enthusiastic, but Modna promised to be Amberlee’s teacher and guide her as ruler of the land.

Amberlee agreed, knowing she needed someone. She was also nervous. It was her right, she knew, but she also knew she hadn’t been prepared the way Venus had. There hadn’t been classes with the Chans or a private tutor. While Venus had learned the role of queen Amberlee had lived freely, without any guidance from her parents. She’d spent time with friends and boys. She’d fallen in love.

She looked at Palmo. It hadn’t mattered to them that Venus had been promised to him. Looking back she realized her parents had known of her infatuation. They hadn’t cared, and she now realized why. They knew Venus would never be queen. They’d probably known that one day Amberlee would take her rightful place as ruler of Alayeah. The feelings between Palmo and Amberlee were probably exactly what her parents wanted.

She brushed some hair off Palmo’s face. He seemed surprised, then recovered and smiled, but immediately turned back to the table showing Alayeah’s plans.

For the briefest moment she feared him seeing their carefully laid plans. He could tell his father and betray her and her people.

But he wouldn’t do that
, she thought. He loved her as much as she loved him. And he did love her…didn’t he?

She carefully studied his handsome face. He’d been extra quiet since his body was returned to his soul and his attitude had been cooler, distant. He still looked like the Palmo she loved, but he seemed different.