Saint (Gateway Series Book 2) (29 page)

“Do you expect me to just pretend hundreds of years of murder and aggression by your people just evaporate because you, what, changed your mind?”

“No,” growled Martin as she slammed her hand against the bulkhead above Orion’s head. “I want you to remember all of it. And remember that I have killed Ters—” She paused. “A lot of them, in the name of the Humani and the Xen.” Martin leaned into Orion’s face. “But then also remember when I found out the truth I risked my life to save your Ter ass.”

“Or to infiltrate our side,” responded Orion. “It’s pretty convenient.”

“Convenient.” Martin laughed. “You little—”

“Wait,” interrupted Stone. He looked toward Orion. “I would trust her with my life. She would never deceive me.”

He could tell Orion understood the jab, but she continued.

“Well that’s just great for you,” replied Orion as she leaned over to look around Martin. “I might need a little more.”

Stone saw Orion lean back into her seat, look up toward Martin, and smile.
What is she gonna say next
? he wondered.

“And don’t call me a fucking Ter, you savage. I’m a Terillian, at least to you—if you can pronounce a word that big.”

“So these are your new friends?” Martin asked turning toward Stone.

“We’ve all been through a lot,” he said, trying to ease the tension that hung in the compartment.

“Don’t worry, sir—” Martin paused. She had called him sir out of habit. Stone could see the frustration in her face. She was just as emotionally torn over everything as the rest of them, she just wasn’t going to show it.

“Don’t worry,” she continued. “I’ll play nice if they do.” She turned back toward Orion and spoke in perfect Terillian. “That is if this Terillian can refrain from calling this Humani ‘savage’ a Hanmani.”

Stone could see the surprise on Orion’s face. How would she have known one of Martin’s many skills was a near fluency in standard Terillian Confederation language?

“Fine,” replied Orion with a flat look on her face.

“Glad you’re willing to agree to stop insulting the person about to free you,” said Martin as she released Orion’s restraints. “You’re welcome,” she added as Orion stood.

The two women stared at one another for what Stone thought was an hour.

“May I check on
my
ship?” asked Orion flatly.

“Feel free,” retorted Martin. “Since I just freed you.”

The two stared at each other for another very long second before Orion gave Martin a derisive smile and turned toward
Hydra
’s controls. As Orion disappeared through the compartment door, Martin stepped in front of Katalya.

“And this one. What’s your story?”

“Emily,” interrupted Stone, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Just let her go.”

“No!” shouted Martin quickly as she spun around.

Startled by her response, Stone felt Martin push his hand off her shoulder. For a tense moment she stared into his eyes before stepping close to him.

“You don’t get to call me that, or act like everything is back to the way it used to be,” she said through her teeth. “Not yet.”

“But—”

“Damn it, sir.” She stopped him. “I can’t…” She took another deep breath. “Just prove to me you’re worth this.”

Stone knew Martin well enough to know it was going to be a long time before he and Martin were back to the way they were before, if that was even possible. “Understood,” he replied. “Her name is Katalya. She is Mori’s, the woman that I…I’m with. She’s her sister.”

“Hmm. And her ears and teeth?”

“Why don’t you just ask me?” grumbled Katalya.

Martin motioned for Katalya to continue.

“I, and my people, are the bastard children of the Xen’s attempt to genetically alter their slaves.”

“So you’re from Dolus?”

“Dolus?” replied a confused Katalya. “Venato.”

Stone tried to clarify. “They were on Venato before we destroyed their base a year ago.”

“Well, I don’t know anything about that, but a little red-headed canary from the Association told me Astra Varus is building an army of genetically altered soldiers underneath Dolus. Then a transport landed on her and squish, no more canary.”

“Astra’s doing what?”

“Some master plan to take out the Ters…Terillians and then eventually go after the Dorans and Xen too.”

“She’s insane,” replied Stone.

“Hey, she was your fiancée.”

“Was. Now I’m…anyway, we need to get to Hotel and get this information to the others.”

“Then I guess that’s where we’re going,” replied Martin.

***

Stone entered the cockpit as Orion and Martin, the latter acting as the navigator, set up
Hydra
for a jump to the Hotel System.

“You seem to know what you’re doing,” said Martin to Orion, “for a Ter.”

“First, I’m Akota, you Humani ape. And second, I’m the best pilot you’re ever gonna see.”

“I don’t know what the hell an Akota is, but you are good. Even a Humani ‘ape’ can see that.”

“Smartass bitch,” replied Orion in Akota, with a smile.

Martin returned the smile. “More gibberish.” She looked back toward him. “To meet up with the—”

“Mori,” said Stone. “Her name is Mori.”

“Fine. Mori,” huffed Martin. “And I’m guessing that a-hole with the tomahawks is there too.”

“Thay.”

“Hmm.” Martin smiled. “Bet they’re gonna love seeing me again.”

“Don’t think love’s the right word,” said Orion.

“Well, this is gonna be exciting,” replied Martin.

“We’ll need to figure out how to do this,” warned Stone. “I don’t think anyone is prepared for more surprises.”

Chapter 22

Stone’s heart raced as he stood at
Hydra’
s access after she landed onboard the Akota carrier
Moon Harvest
. His excitement at seeing Mori again was tempered by the fear of both her and Thay’s reaction to Martin. And there was Orion’s and Mori’s deception about Astra.
Why didn’t she admit it?
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he failed to move when the door opened. Across from the gangway stood Mori, with Thay and Magnus in the background, but he stood firm. Suddenly, he felt the brush of Katalya as she rushed past him and across the gangway. Stone watched as Magnus stepped forward and she leapt into his arms. He also watched as Mori placed her hand on her sister’s hair before turning toward him. A huge smile was on her face and her incredible green eyes were bright as stars.

Move
! he told his legs but they didn’t respond.

Mori began walking toward him. Finally, as if awakening from a deep sleep, his muscles responded and he stepped toward. As they neared each other, the powerful mixture of yearning and trepidation was almost crippling and he slowed his pace. Focusing on her eyes and the thought of her comforting embrace, he again started to pick up his pace.

Suddenly he saw her expression turn from one of happiness to confusion and then rage in an instant as she drew her pistol.

“You!” she shouted as Stone saw Thay pull a tomahawk from his waist and rush toward him.

Martin had emerged from
Hydra
’s access.

“Wait!” shouted Stone as he outstretched his hands toward Mori and Thay.

“Get out of the way!” shouted Mori angrily. “What is she—”

“Stop!” continued Stone. “She helped—”

“She killed my brother!” shouted Thay as he rushed past Mori toward Martin.

As Thay neared, Stone stepped in front of him.

“Move!” shouted Thay as he put his hand to Stone’s chest to push him aside.

Stone could see the hatred emanating from Thay’s eyes and coursing through his entire body.

“Just wait!” pleaded Stone as he shifted his body to remain in front of Thay.

“Don’t make me go through—”

Frustrated, Stone shoved Thay backward and drew his sword. “Everyone just stop!” he shouted.

“Let ’em pass,” he heard Martin say confidently.

“What are you doing?” demanded Mori as she stepped closer, her pistol still pointing toward Martin. “What have you done?”

“So you pause when our life is in danger,” growled Thay, “but don’t hesitate for this murderess?”

“Everyone just shut up!” growled Stone as he dropped his sword. “I’m not fighting anyone…no one is fighting anyone. Just let me talk,” he pleaded as he looked toward the furious Thay and the confused and frustrated Mori.

“Why is this animal with you?” replied Mori.

“Animal?” laughed Martin.

Stone quickly turned toward Martin. “For once, Emily, please just keep your mouth shut for a minute.”

“Fine,” grunted Martin through her teeth. “But—”

“Quiet!” interrupted Stone before he turned back toward Thay and Mori. “She has found out the truth, just like I did, and helped us escape Port Royal.”

“She did,” agreed Orion as she stepped onto the gangway beside Martin. “I don’t know what she’s up to, but she did get us off Port Royal.”

Relieved Orion had spoken, Stone continued. “She has joined us.”

“Whooaa,” interrupted Martin again. “I haven’t joined anything. I came for you, sir, and these Ters…these Terillians just happened to be there.”

“He is one of us now,” spat Mori as she slowly holstered her pistol. “So if you have come for him, you’re going to be disappointed.”

“Perhaps she has come for death,” added Thay as he gripped his tomahawk tightly.

“Let’s go then!” taunted Martin. “Prove that you are the savages I know you to be.”

“Savages!” shouted Mori as she stepped closer. “You have the audacity to challenge us onboard our own ship.”

Martin smiled.  “It’s not a challenge, pumpkin. No challenge at all. This one,” she continued as she pointed toward Thay, “nearly drowned himself trying to kill me and you, sweetheart, had to blow up the whole building you were in to keep me from killing you…how did that work out for ya?”

“I don’t know, how’s that leg and elbow working out for you?” replied Mori, returning a satisfied smile.

“Why don’t you come find out?” teased Martin as she drew her sword.

“Damn it!” shouted Stone as he drew his pistol and fired a round into the overhead of the hangar. The sound of the blast and the ricochet of his bullet was still echoing through the massive compartment as he continued. “Martin, stand down and shut up!” he ordered as if she was still a young lieutenant. To his surprise, she lowered her sword. He then turned toward Mori. “Mori, do you trust me?”

“Yes,” she replied flatly. “But—”

“Good,” he interrupted. “If you truly trust me, then you trust her.”

He could see the anguish and frustration on her face.

“But she—”

“
She
,” said Stone before Mori could finish, “has never deceived me.”

Looking into Mori’s eyes, Stone could see she was beginning to understand the statement went beyond the current situation. Slowly, he could see Mori’s body start to relax. He then turned toward Thay. Stone could see that Thay’s breathing was labored from the anger that still flowed through him. His chest was heaving in and out and his gaze was locked on Martin. “Thay, I know your need to avenge your brother is real, but don’t forget your dream. Would you have been given the vision if fate was going to deliver her to you?”

“But the one that took his life is right here!”

“Maybe you had the dream because this was going to happen. You have been released from your mourning and now you meet again. Perhaps it isn’t to be as enemies.” Stone could tell Thay began to consider his words. “And how many brothers have you killed?” he asked calmly. “I’ve killed my share…we all have.”

As Thay stood silent in contemplation, Stone looked back toward Martin. He saw her return his gaze. She had been silent too long, especially for her. He hoped she would say what needed to be said.

“I have killed,” stated Martin. “I have killed dozens, probably hundreds and have done so proudly for my people.” She paused to sheath her sword slowly and step toward the others. “But I now know I was killing for a lie.” She stopped less than a meter from Thay.

Stone’s body tensed as the two warriors stared at each other.

“You can blame me,” continued Martin. “I have been an instrument of death for the Xen and Humani leaders. Or you can let me help you fight the real murderers.”

Stone’s gaze was locked onto Thay’s face. He knew Thay’s hatred for the Humani was strong and his desire for revenge was still palpable, regardless of his vision.

Thay spoke grudgingly. “For now, Red Wolf.”

Martin stepped closer to Thay, her eyes still locked on his. “I believe this is yours,” she said as she presented a tomahawk from behind her waistbelt. “I thought I would be returning this to you in a very different way, but here.”

Thay snatched the tomahawk from Martin’s hand and without a word turned toward Stone. “You still have a lot to prove,” he said. “And she is still a stranger.”

Stone nodded in acceptance. He was just happy no one was trying to kill anyone else. He turned back toward Mori and waited for her approval. After a short, awkward silence, she spoke.

“Fine,” she conceded. “But she is your responsibility.”

“Of course,” responded Stone.

“And she doesn’t go anywhere without a guard.” Mori paused again and turned toward Martin. “Without three guards.”

“Fine,” grunted Martin as she gave Mori a sarcastic smile. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Hmm,” said Martin as she turned back toward Stone. “We don’t have time for any more of this. We have a briefing in fifteen minutes about the information we gained from the Association.”

“Dolus?” asked Stone.

“How did you know?”

“From me, the one you don’t trust,” interjected Martin.

Stone saw Mori’s head snap back toward the direction of Martin. “So you knew?”

“Just found out,” replied Martin. “Found out the same time I learned of the First Family deception. Then I came for my colonel.”

Stone felt another uncomfortably long silence as the two women glared at each other.

“Well,” said Mori. “No need to call him colonel any longer. Tyler is here safe and sound and you can help him by staying onboard
Hydra
until you’re called for.”

“Called for?” huffed Martin as she stepped toward Mori.

Stone’s heart raced as the two warriors stood so close they were almost touching.

“Don’t forget,” whispered Martin just loud enough for Stone to hear, “you’re not the first relationship he’s ever had. And how did the last one end? Oh, yeah, you shot her in the face while she was carrying his son.” Martin turned toward Stone. “You know where I’ll be
when
you need me.”

As Martin walked away, Stone sensed Mori’s gaze on him.

“Tyler,” said Mori softly, “On Alpha Humana, that woman, she was going to—”

“It doesn’t matter that you did it, or the reason,” interrupted Stone. “You want me to trust you and accept this new path, but you won’t fully open up to me. Not about Astra, or the Dance, or when we lost Henry…what else are you keeping from me?”

“Tyler—”

“She,” added Stone as he pointed toward
Hydra
and the emotion from his last statement began to boil over, “has never given me a reason to doubt her.”

“Then maybe you should be with her?” blurted Mori.

“No! Ino’ka, you are missing the point. I want to be with you, but I need to trust you…to truly trust you, not just in combat but in everything.”

“It’s complicated, and you are new to our ways.”

“The truth,” replied Stone, “is never complicated. How people deal with it is.”

“She has you second guessing yourself,” warned Mori angrily.

“No,” retorted Stone, “she has me second guessing us.”

Mori stepped back from Stone. He could see a mixture of rage and anxiety on her face. He had hurt her, but she deserved it.

“I never meant to give you a reason to distrust me,” she said as a tear formed and ran down her cheek. “Don’t you understand what I’m risking by being with you?”

“No!” replied Stone, frustrated. “I don’t know because you won’t tell me.”

“You have only been with me for a year and you have only recently begun to understand what it means to be Akota.”

“I know what it means to love you. I know what it means to be willing to give my life for you.”

“I feel the same way, Tyler.”

“But still you keep secrets.”

Mori clenched her jaw, looked up toward the overhead, and let out a long breath through her nose. “Your black and white world is great in theory, Tyler. But sometimes black and white only leaves two options, and I don’t believe…I’m not ready to believe there are only two options for us.”

“I don’t even know what options you are talking about!” shouted an exasperated Stone.

Stone felt her back away with a jerk from the suddenness of his outburst. After another deep breath, she stepped close to him again and placed her hands in his.

“The options are being with you and being a leader of my people someday or being with you and never fulfilling what I am told my destiny is,” she said softly. “It all depends on how I, how we, perform together. I can do this without you, but I’d be miserable.” She paused. “So if it’s between leading the Akota someday and being with you, I choose you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If my vision and that of some of our elders are true, and I act with wisdom, generosity, bravery, and endurance, I may one day become a shirt-wearer. The four shirt-wearers are the cultural and political leaders of all Akota.” She paused again, drew a deep breath, and bit her lower lip. “But our relationship can either solidify my chances or destroy them completely, depending on what you do.”

“I don’t understand,” replied Stone. “How does my action determine if you can lead your…our people.”

“That’s my point, Tyler. You don’t understand…yet.” Mori’s hand touched his cheek gently. “It will just take time.”

Still confused but relieved she was actually talking to him, Stone spoke again. “What is it that you want me to do? I’ll do it.”

“I can’t tell you,” she said as she lowered her head briefly before looking back into his eyes. “If I tell you then the journey you must take can’t be completed and I’ll have to choose now between you and my destiny with our people.”

“So I’m not part of your destiny?” he asked as he moved her hand from his cheek but still held her hand in his.

“I think you are in my destiny. I dreamed of a great warrior lost in the prairie that would come into my life, challenge me, and eventually allow me to complete my circle of being, which will allow me to finally obtain all of the character traits of a shirt-wearer. I think you are that warrior…I know you are. But you must develop without my help in order for the destiny to be fulfilled.”