Dovetailed (5 page)

“She’s worse now that she knows the truth. I knew she would be,” Amberlee said against Palmo’s neck when he pulled her into a hug.

“I know,” he returned.

She allowed herself to lean against his taut chest. His smell always reminded her of a morning breeze. Even after all he’d been through, he still smelled like himself, and she smiled. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too.” He hugged her tighter.

They stood like that a long while. Amberlee could hear Venus in the background. She spoke quietly with the souls, performed a group of transformations, and then repeated the process. It was tedious. It stressed Amberlee out, but only because she felt the pressure to get out of this godforsaken place.

Nothing about Helker held fond memories. She’d come to save Palmo. She’d come to atone for her sins. All too soon after she made her deal with the Ferether, Ramien, it became apparent why one shouldn’t make deals with a demon.

Venus had saved them all. Well, her and the whatever-he-was Michael. It burned her up inside. She hadn’t ever wanted anything from her sister and she surely didn’t want her help. Or for her sister to be her savior.

But that’s exactly what Venus had been, still was, and would forever be for Amberlee and Kelari. It was difficult to deal with. That’s why she’d joined The Order. Venus wasn’t really her sister. Venus wasn’t even from their planet, but a being—a god—born of Ith and Aetha. They were from a planet called Stiel. They’d been sent to save Kelari thousands of years ago.

Amberlee didn’t like being saved by an alien, even if that alien was a god. It irked her more than she wanted to admit.

She also hadn’t planned on all the death, all the slaughter. It was for that reason she’d betrayed The Order, because more than she believed in The Order, she loved Palmo, and his father had intended to let Palmo die. It was the price of war, he’d said. Death, even of the ones we loved, couldn’t be helped when trying to create a rebirth. He’d said that when her parents were killed as well. She’d accepted it then. But Palmo? She’d do anything for him.

She’d talked to her parents. Apologized for her part in King Antyon’s plan and begged them to forgive her. They’d said kind words of comfort, though for some reason they felt hollow. She’d asked them to stay, to help her. She’d confessed she needed them, but they’d said they couldn’t stay, that they had to move on, that they were needed elsewhere.

It was clear no matter what she said, her pleas fell on unhearing ears. So she’d wiped her eyes and told them she loved them, and said good-bye. The reunion had been bittersweet. Parts of their conversation kept playing through her mind and she wondered if there was more they weren’t telling her.

That her mother and father chose to leave her stung like the sting of a hundred faya bees.

Tears filled her eyes and she hugged Palmo tighter. He tensed momentarily, but then pulled her closer.

“It’ll be alright. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

His words calmed her a little and she relaxed. Until Venus raised her voice so the whole room could hear.

“It’s time to return. I don’t exactly know what the surface holds for each of you. Now that you’ve received the transformation and your Kelvieri’s boots, you possess more power.”

Amberlee turned so she could watch Venus speak.

“It’s more than most have up there, but it still isn’t enough to stop the creatures above. Please be careful. I would recommend you follow Zaren and Palamina as far as possible. They will be heading to the castle. If you have family, find them.” She faced Zaren and Palamina. “You will lead them.” It wasn’t a question, but a command. Amberlee flinched.

“Of course.” Zaren stepped toward the set of stairs leading upward. Palamina was close at his heels.

The crowd followed—except one. He wore a Formytian uniform along with his new boots. By all accounts he would be considered handsome. He was tall and had blond hair almost the same color as Venus, but it was cropped short, and his eyes were the color of melted amber.

He bowed slightly and, for some reason, that irritated the Helker out of Amberlee.

“I am Seth.” His voice rang through the room.

Venus smiled as though she knew a secret about him. “Hello, Seth.”

Amberlee watched his jaw flex. “I am a Formytian. My job was to protect King Antyon. I was his personal guardian.” Amberlee heard the disgust laced in his words.

“You were a valiant guardian, Seth.”

His jaw clenched tighter. “When I became privy to his plans I told him I wanted no part in them and asked to be released.”

Amberlee lifted her head, interested in what Seth had to say. It seemed there was another who couldn’t be swayed by the cunning of the king.

Seth continued, “The king agreed. That night, as I packed my things, a Leviathan entered my room and killed me before I had the chance to grab my Ostwallow sword.” Seth glanced down at his feet. “Not that it would’ve done any good.”

Venus went to stand in front of him and placed a hand on his chest. She patted the spot over his epsis. “Do not berate yourself another moment. You did the best you could.”

Seth’s lashes fluttered rapidly. Amberlee stepped from Palmo’s arms, watching Seth with deep interest.

“I should’ve known what was happening. I should’ve paid closer attention to what the king wasn’t saying.”

Venus nodded. “An interesting choice of words, Formytian. But you are correct.” She stepped back and lifted her chin. “Have you learned from your mistake, Seth?”

“I have.” He stood tall, rolling his shoulders back, and looked Venus in the eyes. “If you allow me, I would like to assist in ending the war.”

“That would be most appreciated. Please go with Zaren and Palamina to the castle. Once you arrive, please wait. I have a special assignment for you.”

Palmo moved toward Venus. “What is this assignment?” he asked boldly, and then shrank back. “Maybe I could help,” he added, his voice less brazen.

Venus smiled genially. “Maybe you could, but I doubt it.”

Michael stepped to her side, placing himself between Palmo and Venus.

The move irritated Amberlee. Who did he think he was?

She knew, though. He was part Ferether, part Kelvieri. He was a wholly new being, something no one had ever seen before.

Venus went on: “If you would be so kind, please keep my sister and Palmo safe.”

Seth’s eyes flicked over Amberlee and Palmo. “I will do whatever you command, but…” His voice trailed off.

“Please say what’s in your heart, Seth,” Venus said.

He cleared his throat. “Those two are with King Antyon. They were part of his plan. They are not to be trusted.”

Amberlee gasped.

“Watch your mouth, Formytian, or I’ll have you—”

Venus turned to Palmo, her cornflower blue eyes freezing him where he stood. She turned to Seth. “I appreciate your honesty. I know of the part these two played. There is still more they must accomplish.”

“Understood.” Seth’s foot touched the bottom step. “Let’s go.”

Venus gave Amberlee and Palmo a once-over. Amberlee couldn’t help but be terrified. Venus was no longer a spoiled child Amberlee had grown up with. She was a goddess. It showed in her mannerisms, the way she moved and spoke. Her body almost moved of its own accord, but she held back searching Venus’s face. Questions ran through her mind, like:
What powers did she possess? Could she know, like Ith and Aetha, the intentions of a person’s heart? Did she sense the hatred Amberlee harbored against her?
Even as the questions ran through her mind, she knew the answer to all of them was yes. Venus could know everything. And it freaked Amberlee out.

The truth was, Amberlee also envied Venus. Growing up, everything had always been about her older sister. She received all the attention, all the training. Venus had private tutors while Amberlee went to regular school. Amberlee had been teased relentlessly. Venus had been given the bulk of her parents’ love and it wasn’t fair—especially since Amberlee’s parents weren’t really Venus’s parents.

Anger boiled anew and she glared at the would-be god. Venus met and held her gaze. “I know we aren’t sisters by blood, but you will always be family.”

Amberlee wanted to laugh out loud, but she pushed the desire down. She would never consider Venus family. She hadn’t since the day she found out the truth. She needed to get away from Venus. She needed time to think, because as much as she hated Venus, she hated King Antyon more. He’d tortured and killed her parents. In the end she’d heard the truth from their lips. Her parents loved her. They loved her more than they’d ever loved Venus. What they’d done had been out of love as a way of protecting her. When she’d believed her parents were ignoring her, they’d actually been keeping her safe.

At least that’d been what they said. After the conversation with her parents’ souls, she couldn’t help but wonder if that was the truth.

The knowledge of her betrayal still hurt. She’d been part of their destruction. She’d allowed her jealousy and hatred to destroy her parents.

New pain seared through her heart. She knew her parents never wanted to see her again. She couldn’t blame them really. By the time she’d realized King Antyon and his plan weren’t for her, it was too late.

Near the end Amberlee witnessed what King Antyon was really capable of. She knew he cared for no one but himself and he intended to destroy everyone and everything that didn’t agree with his way of thinking. That included her parents, and even his own son.

She’d witnessed it first hand, so while everyone in the cave with her knew Ramien had been evil, they would soon realize King Antyon was a close second. He didn’t feast on their souls, he believed he was too good for that. Instead he tortured, trampled, and cut into the very essence of a Kelarian until they were still alive, but dead inside.

“Whatever you say,
Venus
.” She spat the word out and immediately felt bad. It was difficult though. She didn’t know how to react to Venus.

“Thank you, Amberlee. I intend to be there as well.”

“Why?” Palmo asked, once again sounding like the spoiled prince he was.

Amberlee grabbed his hand.

“I want to make sure Amberlee is given the welcome and respect she deserves.”

Amberlee couldn’t help but question Venus’s motive. Sure she was a god now and petty fights wouldn’t bother her—at least she didn’t think so, but Amberlee hadn’t just got in a fight with her. She’d been instrumental in sending Venus to Earth, killed her irrihunter, and convinced the people of Alayeah that Venus was a traitor. Amberlee studied Venus. The goddess seemed sincere. Amberlee grabbed Palmo’s hand and walked over to the stairs. “Thanks, Venus, but don’t do me any favors.” She bolted up the stairs, leaving the thousands of souls, including those of her parents, below with Venus and Michael and Dervinias.

She watched her sister run up the stairs. When she couldn’t hear Amberlee and Palmo’s footsteps any longer, she let out a sigh.

“How you holding up?” Michael asked.

“Fine.” It was true. Physically there wasn’t a scratch on her. Emotionally, though, she’d been through a lot.

Michael looked like he wanted to say more, but Dervinias stepped into view. He’d been so quiet she’d nearly forgotten about him. “What are you going to do?” he asked.

“Take Chev’s soul in your hands. Hold her steady. Do not let go.”

Dervinias swallowed, but did as she said.

Venus could hear Chev’s soul crying, begging for release. She went to it. “Hush. Everything will be okay.” Chev quieted her cries, but they didn’t stop. Venus reached out and whispered in the strange tongue the words that would make her forget everything. Venus sensed the numbness flow through her friend’s soul. It would last a few hours. “Take her home, Dervinias.” She created a Transport out of thin air. If she hadn’t been so overwhelmed she would’ve thought it was totally cool.

Dervinias’s face filled with the surprise and wonder she wanted to feel. “You really have changed, V.”

Venus couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, Dervinias, I have.” She remembered Zaren’s Ostwallow sword and called it to her. It appeared immediately in her hand. “Take this, just in case.”