Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) (2 page)

“May we help you?” Kaiden asks

“We would like to help you actually, we saw the missiles, we know one made it in and we would like to help the wounded if you allow us.” The man explains

“They have all been healed, but if you are looking for a safe place we can offer that.” Kaiden responds

Christian and Vivi both got curious and followed a bit behind Kaiden and Zoe. They were just within the border listening to what was being said.

“I don’t know if you would have us. My name is Ada and I am the sister of Aldrich. This is my mate, Leon.”

This got Vivi’s attention and she stepped past the border and walked up next to Zoe. This time Ada gasped.

“You are his child?” Ada asked

“Yes I am, but he is not my father anymore. If you mean to harm any of us then leave now.” Vivi sneered

“Vivi she does not mean us harm. She is just as scared as you once were.” Christian mutters

“How do you know that?” Ada asks fear showing in her eyes

“I can basically read the intent of others.” Christian replies “You seem scared that we will not accept you.”

“Aldrich does not know I am alive still. He thinks our father killed me long ago. I will tell you everything.” Ada explains

“She speaks the truth.” Vivi says

“Do you wish to join our family?” Zoe asks

“We would love nothing more than to belong to a family. We have had to remain in hiding for almost eighty years.” Leon says

Chapter 2

Ada and Leon

“You must swear fealty to get beyond the border. If you are willing to do that, we are willing to accept you into our family.” Kaiden explains

“We will do anything you ask. Like I said we have been in hiding much longer than all of you and way before Aldrich. But you must tell us the words again. It has been a very long time since we have been in a Sect.” Leon whispers

“I swear my life and that of my Dragon to King Kaiden and Queen Zoe. I do hereby swear my life and loyalty and everything that I have left within, to that of the King and Queen of the Ireland Sect.” Vivi tells them.

Ada and Leon take a knee and swear their fealty to Kaiden and Zoe, while the Earth Dragons continue gathering trees for the pyre.

“Please follow us. As you know we were just hit by a missile. Aldrich placed tracking devices attached to missiles into his children. He sent them out and we accidently missed one, it was in one of the toddlers. In the last few months we have taken in a lot of survivors, a vast majority of those were and are his children. A boat showed up with thirty five children and four older women, who all happen to be his half-blood children. We took them in and they are now part of this family. We do not judge here and we expect the same from others. We are a family and not a Sect.” Kaiden tells them

“We are not the judging type. We have also been through a lot. But knowing I have nieces and nephews makes me happy” Ada responded

“Why do I look like you? I was told I look like my mother.” Vivi inquires

“Actually you look like my mother, your grandmother, but I can see a little of someone else too. I never knew your mother though.” Ada responds sadly

“I know this is awkward, but may I hug you?” Ada stammers

“I could really us one right now” Vivi mumbles as her voice cracks and more tears flow.

Ada pulls Vivi into her arms and holds her for a few moments. She then leans back holding Vivi at arm’s length to look at her. “You really are a beautiful woman Vivi. I am glad that you share my blood. I am glad that we have found you. I am nothing like my brother and I will always be here for you dear.” Ada explains as she wraps an arm around Vivi and they begin to walk back to everyone.

They all make their way to the crater which is now halfway full with trees. Kaiden introduces Ada and Leon to everyone and explains that they share and tell during meals. So in the morning they will have to share their story, but that they will hear everyone else’s first. The pyre is ready a short time later and everyone makes a circle around it. The babies and toddlers are all in bed by this time, but Zoe managed to get Lily and now cradles her in her arms. Justine also has little Jacob in her arms. Carmine and Donny light the fire. Kaiden had instructed them beforehand not to burn the flowers. Everyone tells something about someone that died. Raquel and Megan share the most about the children.

They have a long moment of silence after everyone shares a story and then Carmine and Donny put the fire out.

“Paulo can you please raise the earth and flowers in this spot? We will leave the flowers to bloom as a reminder. We all need to remember how valuable life is.” Zoe says

Paulo raises the earth filling in the crater and making the grass grow like it was, but now the flowers also shine through the small mound that was created. Slowly people start to leave and make their way back to their homes. Kaiden and Zoe take and show Ada and Leon a room then leave them to get settled. Tonight Zoe doesn’t place Lily in her bassinet, she takes her into the bed with her.

In the morning they all meet at the table like usual. Everyone is silent as they make their plates and begin to eat. Ada and Leon both feel the tension and sadness in the air.

“Kaiden, you said we all share stories at meal times? Would you like us to start? I know it is a sad morning for you all and I am deeply saddened by this. I have not seen Aldrich since he was seven, but I can only imagine what he endured at the hands of our father.” Ada said

“I think we would all like to hear your story before we tell you ours. Then maybe you will understand why this hit so hard.” Zoe says

“Well I was fifteen when Aldrich was born. My mother was a very good woman and life was happy in our home. We never lived in a Sect and my father liked to treat the humans around us. Mama said he wanted to help the ones who could not get medical treatment. When she became pregnant with Aldrich it was a happy time. Papa was not there for the birth, he had two human women go into labor at the same time and he saw over them, I guess he assumed because she was a Dragon too that she could handle it. I was at school and then a friend’s house after and did not know she was in labor. When I got home I was handed the baby and Papa left for a couple days. Mama had died giving birth to him. When he returned he was mean and angry. I turned into my mother and took care of everything then. When Aldrich was five my Papa started to hit us both. Then the towns we moved to all started getting sick and dying. I think my Papa was making them sick.”

“When I was twenty two and Aldrich was seven I found Leon. He followed me home that same day and Papa did not like it one bit. He beat me very badly and then stabbed me. He threw me out the window. What he didn’t know was that Leon was there to catch me. Leon ran me to his mother and father and they healed me in time. We all left the country that night and never looked back. Papa thought he killed me. That is what Leon’s father said anyway. Before we left he went to the edge of town near my home and listened to him tell Aldrich that I was dead. I was hoping to take Aldrich with me, but I couldn’t after hearing that.”

“After we left we were happy for several years. We never had children, but we made a life. His parents were wanderers too, so we just kind of toured all over with them. Then twenty four years ago we started to get word of all the raids and killings. When we heard it was a Blood Dragon I knew it was Aldrich. I can only blame my Papa for what he has done to the boy I remember. He was a sweet boy always smiling and always happy. Then when we started to get hit he turned into himself and became mean to the sick kids. I tried to tell him that was wrong, but he never listened.” Ada explained

“Why did you become your mother?” Vivi asked

“Papa thought it was a woman’s place to cook and clean and be with the children. In fact my mother never even knew how to heal. She died because she couldn’t heal herself after the birth. She bled out.” Ada said

“That explains a lot.” Vivi admits. Vivi then tells her about her life and everyone around the table does the same. Two hours had gone by before they were all finished.

“I am so sorry and I blame myself a little, I blame my Papa more, but myself too. I should have taken him with me.” Ada explains

“You cannot be blamed for what he did to us. He was only seven when you left and had a choice just like you not to live like that.” Kaiden responds

“Yes I know, but it is still hard, knowing that he is the way he is. I raised him until he was seven. I still remember his smiling chubby little face. He had this little toy truck I got from a friend in town. He loved that truck and took it with him everywhere. We should have gone back and taken him. Maybe had we done that he would not be like he is today? But I must say he is ten times worse than my father. My father only ever killed humans, never another Dragon.” Ada explains

“Darling you know you can’t think like that. It will just eat you up. We need to focus on the here and now and move forward. Kaiden can you explain to us what normal life around here is like?” Leon asks trying to get Ada’s head in the right spot for the one hundredth time.

“Well it has been quite routine for the last few months. There have also been some discoveries made. We usually eat and talk in the mornings then we go out and train until lunch time. Lunch is usually brought down to the valley area near the training room and we eat there. After that is usually free time to do whatever you want to do. We have a library and an art room. It is also a music and dance area too. Then we have a playroom for the children and an apartment for the women that work in the house. Then at dinner we all eat together here at the table. Sometimes we have a family movie night, but lately it has been filled with wearing children out and gathering them all up. I think the next few days are going to be a little different.” Kaiden explains

“What are you all training for?” Ada asks

“We are going to fight back, especially now that innocents have been taken from us. Those were his own children and he treated them like trash. We are tired of hiding out and letting him get away with killing anyone and everyone. We are not a normal Sect here, we are a Family. Family sticks together and fights together. We need to find the last four and any survivors in between and then we are going to take Aldrich out.” Vivi explains with passion.

“You are going to kill him?” Ada demanded

“Yes if that is what we have to do to stop this war.” Zoe answered

“Look Ada, I know he is your brother and you know someone different than the rest of us do. But he has done things to the rest of us that is inexcusable. He won’t stop until we are all dead and he is King. That is now his mission and he plans on ruling over the human race with his evil half-blood children. Did you not listen what I told you about my life? I grew up in his camp. He killed his own mate after she gave birth to me, a GIRL! Then he kidnapped human women and his children from previous human women. He did not make them out of love, he made them for his warriors. After I left he got worse. Then when they saved Marcus, he started killing his own children. CHILDREN! They were just kids and because they missed the target or couldn’t fight he killed them. Do you think he should live?” Vivi screamed

“I’m sorry Vivi. Yes I heard it all and I am sorry. But he is my brother and family does stick together. What will you have me do? I can’t kill the little boy I raised. We will train with you all and learn how to fight properly, but I will not be a part of this war.” Ada explains

“We are not asking you to fight with us, just to know how to defend yourself. Apparently you have never met one of his other children. They wouldn’t care who you are to him or them. They would just kill you because they felt the pull of your Dragon.” Kaiden explains

“Kaiden, since we are all here can I make an announcement?” Mary whispers

“Please do Mary. I think we need a change of topic.” Kaiden snaps at her and then noticed the wide eyed expression on her face. “I’m sorry I am just a little passionate right now.” He explains. Mary nods to him with a slight smile.

“Well as some of you figured out a home is being built behind this home. Mateo and I will be moving into it as soon as it is finished. We will also be having a baby in about nine months.” Mary stated

“OH! Mary that is wonderful, Congratulations!” Zoe squeals

“I am going to have a little brother or sister? That is great Congratulations Mary. I always knew you secretly wanted another kid in the house.” Gabe teases

“Congratulations!” The table cheered

Rosa and Monica snagged Mary and took her back to the kitchen to talk. Zoe and Justine both took the babies and went to the couches around the fire pit. The Fury’s all stood and went out to train. Their favorite way of dealing with anything was with fists. Gabe followed them out to clear his head too. Paulo and Cassie went outside to help the builders with the houses. Jaco and Shiloh along with the other Water Dragons went to the ocean to swim. Piper and Aidan were with Abby and whatever she wanted to do they went with. Aubrey and Adam went out the back to add little details to the area where Mary’s house would be. Kaiden came over and sat next to Zoe while Zach and Halina went to another couch. The rest of the table soon joined them.

Donny made a fire in the fire pit as everyone around him was lost in small talk. Kaiden was explaining more in depth of the journal and the reasons Aldrich needed to be stopped.