Light Speed, Arkadie, L. [free ebooks for android txt] 📗

this, but deep down he is not secure that his schemewill work. This is why he draped himself in the light.

Gripped by anxiety, he looks up at the sky.He’s expecting us—me, Chex, and Na’ta. He conjured up his scent tohave Chex guide us here into the hands of these creatures, theTreesh, who reside in the bogs along the southern border of theterritory which borders Ronoloh. He is playing two sides. He andthe Olligark stole the Scepter of Gant from the Mtknv, who are itsguardians. Now he’s consorting with the Treesh to steal it from theOlligark. He’s deceiving both factions. Exgesis is reliving everymoment right now and those images excite him.

“You get us the scepter or you die?” thecreature threatens.

Lario shrugs his shoulders with smugnonchalance because he does not fear the Treesh creature’s threat.If any of the Treesh creatures come in contact with the light, thepain will be so severe that, although it won’t kill it, it willmake it want to die.

His a’hanterel has informed me well. Heknows that Na’ta will seek to save Telman at any cost. And,strangely, I am fervently in his thoughts. He is vexed by the way Ismell, even the tone of my voice, and how being near me rousesdesirous feelings that have never been alive in him before. Like aSelell craves blood, he craves me. However, more than he lusts forme, his bond, he is driven toward seeking ultimate power. I alsosee that Lario Exgesis doesn’t want to have those yearnings for me.That is why he is choosing to deliberately betray me, in hopes thathis aspirations will isolate us.

And then I understand why he covets theScepter of Gant: it will make him king of all universes. I also seewhy Na’ta and I are needed to recover the instrument. And that’swhen it becomes clear to me that we must do what Exgesis wants andtake the Scepter of Gant out of the Olligark’s hands. Only we mustreturn it to the hands of the Mtknv; the only problem is that itwill never be safe in their hands as long as incessant invaderslike the Olligark seek its power. Nevertheless, they are itsrightful guardians.

I blink to focus once I’m fully back tomyself. Na’ta grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me.

“You’re back,” she sighs in relief. “Whatthe hell where you doing? We saw the light inside of you; it wasthe only way we knew you weren’t having a seizure orsomething.”

I glance at Chex and he’s scowling at me. Ithink I frightened him and I am very sorry for that. But aftertaking a few calming breaths to steady myself, I tell them bothwhat I have just experienced.

“Then you stopped us just in time,” Na’tasays, relieved. “This is Ronoloh. It’s the empty land.”

“The empty land?” Chex asks curiously.

“Nothing lives here and you can’t stay heretoo long or the lohs will make fertilizer out of you.” She narrowsher eyes to study the ground below. “The loh is the grass.Ronoloh means high grass. But we’re safe; apparently thehuman in us doesn’t taste like chicken.”

Chex sniffs, amused by her remark; but Idon’t understand. A chicken is an Earth creature, a fowl…

“Forget it, Adore,” Na’ta says, noticing mypuzzlement. “It was a joke.”

“Oh.” I look down at the crop circle thatswirls beneath us. I really feel “new” now and I don’t think I likeit much.

“So why does he need your light and myspeed?” she asks, moving forward with the matter before us.

When I look up, I take an embarrassingglance at Chex, who winks at me while wearing an endearing smileand my shame suddenly fades.

“He thinks we can use my light to get pastthe Olligark.” I notice Chex crease his brows curiously. After abrief pause to wonder what he’s thinking, I continue. “I believethey are in a universe called Ol.”

“Yes, it is Ol,” Na’ta confirms.

“So… like Exgesis, you’re familiar with thisshit?” Chex asks, but even I can detect the indictment in histone.”

“Screw you vamp,” Na’ta barks. “If you’retrying to pin me to that psycho-maniac then I’ll kick your assright here, right now!”

Chex rolls his eyes and sniffsforcefully.

“Stop you two!” I scold before realizing it.I’m weary of their bickering. “Answer the question,” I demand ofNa’ta.

She takes a moment to assess the seriousnessin my heated expression. I’m showing her a look she’s familiarwith. In all the years of my life, Na’ta has been the only othercreature who’s moved me to anger.

“I know of them,” she says bitingly, rollingher eyes from me, to Chex, then back to me. “Ol is a pitch blackuniverse. That explains why he needs your light.” She pauses. “Butwhy my speed?” she ponders.

“Because you’re able to carry me,” I say,just as quickly as the revelation occurs to me.

“Ah,” Na’ta breathes and looks off toreflect. “Humph. Why didn’t I ever think of that?”

“What are you confessing Na’ta? Have youantagonized these creatures before?”

She shrugs nonchalantly. “If I answer,you’re going to give me that deadpan look of yours. That’s why Ichoose to plead the fifth.”

“What?!” I shout. “What does that mean?” I’mnearly weary of her antics.

“She’s saying yes,” Chex answers as Na’tastares at me with wide and worried eyes.

“One day, Na’ta,” I shake my head at thisthought and my eyes water a little. “You will be the first of us todie from a murderous hand.”

She tilts her head to one side. “You shouldtry frightening me with the possible.”

We glare at each other. I know what she’sreferring to. Like Tapeetha, she doesn’t fear death because she’stested the limits of our destructibility. They are both convincedwe can’t die.

“Whatever, Adore,” she finally says with anindifferent shrug. “And apparently you’re in charge here. So justpromise me that we will not leave the alternate universes withoutgoing into Tetra.” She lifts her eyebrows at me and holds themuntil I answer.

“I promise,” I say sincerely.

She shifts her eyes away from me and putsthem on Chex. “And you?” She waits for his answer and I’m surprisedshe even asked. This is a civil act and suddenly I’m proud ofher.

“If she’s in, I’m in,” he replies with hisgaze fixed on me. Then he scowls seriously at her. “So where’s thisplace—Ol?”

“Follow me.”