Autonomy: Book 2 in the Invasion Day series (13 page)

“Okay, but I’ll see what equipment we can use to help for the time being,” Thrayke offered and she smiled.

Cellphone
, she mouthed, and he agreed. Although primitive now, the technology in one of the simple handheld devices would be enough for her to either type out and show someone what she needed, or she could use a text-to-speech program. She’d never been able to bite her tongue before, and had to admit she was sure ready to say all the things she wanted to again, regardless of how her mouth had gotten her in trouble so many times before.

By late morning, Thrayke had found a suitable handheld device for her to use, and her thumbs were already getting a workout on the keys. The robotic voice behind the cell’s software made her laugh, but it was much quicker than writing everything down, and she was glad to have some assistance while her throat finished healing. The mayhem of the last few days meant everyone was on edge, but soon things seemed as if they’d calmed down, and the conversations naturally became less serious as the mood in the house lightened.

Kronus had to go and attend to some business elsewhere on the island, but thankfully Thrayke stayed behind and kept her company for a while. She and him chatted about the truths she’d learned during her time with the rebels, and he admitted to having read the notebooks she’d written in while gathering her intel together at Tuka’s behest. Kyra knew she was overdue a proper debriefing, but wasn’t quite ready for her interrogation, so decided to remain an open book with Thrayke and Kronus in the hopes they wouldn’t need an Inquisitor’s assistance further down the road. If they were satisfied that she’d given up everything she’d learned and experienced while immersed in the rebellion, then she figured she might also be allowed to head straight back to The Tower when she’d recovered. At least that’s what Kyra was hoping. Staying on Kro Island permanently seemed more like a pipedream than a reality, but she was willing to see how things panned out before making her choices.

“Gathering the survivors’ stories was Tuka’s idea, but I have to admit I wanted to know the truths for personal reasons. Kronus has told me more, but I still can’t wrap my brain around what he’s not telling me. Why is this happening? Really?” she typed, and Thrayke took a deep breath.

“It’s not my division, Kyra. I’m a capturer of rebels and rogue Thraks remember? But, I do know the main reason behind the treatments Greegis has created. It’s because we need something from the human DNA that some of our kind are lacking,” he answered, and she was glad he was still so ready to be forthcoming with her like he used to be. His trust and honesty meant a lot to her, and this time she wouldn’t take it for granted or use her relationship with him to break the rules. Kyra had promised herself that those days were well and truly over, and she meant it. “We’ve found the code in less than one percent of the human population, and as far as I know, there’s no rhyme or reason for those who test positive for it. A child might have the gene, when no other person in their family is positive, and when we’ve tried to isolate it, the chromosome either fails or cannot withstand the transformation.”

“You need to connect the dots so you can perfect the cure?” Thrayke nodded. “Why do you need it so desperately?” she asked via the robotic voiced handheld, and he shook his head. She hit the button on her device to repeat the phrase again, and stared at him insistently, but still he refused.

“You remember how I said I’d always protect you? Well sometimes that includes protecting you from yourself, and your perceptiveness,” he answered, and stood.

She reached out and grabbed his hand before he could leave, and stared up at him pleadingly.

Thrayke sat back down and cupped her cheek with his palm. “This is beyond any human authority, Kyra. The Thrakorian hierarchy doesn’t want or need human intervention. I’m sorry.”

I can help
, she mouthed.

“I know you can, but for now you just need to focus on getting better. That code-breaking mind of yours might come in handy with this if we find a pattern you can decode, or if we find a way to run computer-based simulations you can assist with, but not yet,” he implored.

Not seeming to care whether it was right or wrong to cut her off, Thrayke said nothing more. He gazed into her eyes and his serious expression stopped her from questioning him any further. He then kissed her forehead softly and pulled her close for a hug, and she was glad he still felt he could. “We were all so worried about you, none more than Kronus. I’ve never seen him go on a rampage like he did on that rooftop after you’d been shot. You said you thought I was badass getting you out of that house, but I had nothing on what he did to avenge you.”

She knew he was trying to change the subject, and if she was honest, she didn’t have the energy to argue, so had let it go anyway. Hearing Thrayke speak so highly of King Kronus was lovely though, and she was glad she hadn’t affected their friendship by inadvertently getting in the middle of them.

Kyra thought back to the fray on the roof. The moments after the gun went off were a blank, and she’d had no idea Kronus had reacted so strongly to her near-death-experience. She rested her head on Thrayke’s shoulder so she could listen to his hushed words rather than respond, and he seemed to sense her desire to hear more, so continued. “We’re a bunch of selfish assholes. It’s part of who we are, but when something or someone threatens those we care about, I can’t even begin to describe how it affects us. Predators by nature, there isn’t a word for how far a Thrakorian will go to avenge those they love. He cares for you in his own way, so don’t let the rest of the crap get in the way and make you forget that fundamental fact.”

Kyra was surprised by Thrayke’s words, but nodded against his shoulder, and sighed. She hoped all of this would start to make sense soon, but guessed she’d settle for blissful ignorance and the odd bit of affection in the meantime if that was all she could get.

“I’m tired, but I don’t want to sleep. Tell me a story?” she typed, and Thrayke laughed.

“You should know by now I’m no storyteller, but I can take you somewhere pretty cool if you’d like?” he offered, and she nodded.

He led the way, her hand in his, and together they walked slowly down through the hallways and stairwells of the huge mansion. Her energy quickly faded though, and before long Thrayke lifted her up into his arms. “You know I’ve always got you, don’t worry.” She knew all right, and relaxed into his huge body as he effortlessly carried her away.

When they finally reached their destination, Kyra felt strong enough to stand again, and she followed him through a huge arched doorway where she discovered an old movie theater that’d seemingly been fully restored by Kronus and his men. Just a handful of wide, comfortable looking, reclining seats were lined up along the floor beneath the huge screen, and they looked so inviting she went straight over to the one in the center and climbed in. If she could’ve groaned in delight she would have, and when her companion offered her a blanket and extra pillows she immediately accepted.

Thrayke grinned and took the seat to her right, and he then grabbed a remote control from a pocket on the side of his seat. The screen came to life, and a list showing them the thousands of movies on offer greeted them. Kyra had never seen anything like it, and knew these must’ve been cultivated especially for Kronus’ personal library over the course of his reign. Many of the titles were hundreds of years old, and she knew had to have come from the disused archives of the old world. The arts were a dying industry nowadays; their overruling species having been more focused on industry and anything else that ensured the continuation of Kronus’ reign, but she was pleased to see their new leader had protected at least some aspects of the movie industry, despite it no longer having a place within his new society.

“There are so many,” she said via her device, and Thrayke laughed when he spotted her awestruck expression.

“I know, far too many to ever watch them all, but he wanted to keep them regardless. What do you fancy? Romance? Comedy?”

She shook her head and pouted. “Horror? Science fiction?” he tried, and an enthusiastic nod from her was all he needed. Thrayke then flicked through the screens to where hundreds of scary movies were carefully categorized. He chose one without even asking her for more input, and together they settled down to watch it. Disgusting alien centipedes invading Earth then filled the screen within minutes, and Kyra giggled silently at his ironic choice of movie.

They continued to watch for hours, and took turns choosing the next movie to watch from the vast array in the hard drives she guessed were probably stored somewhere beneath the massive screen. By the end of the fourth film, Kyra was starving, and was glad her body seemed to have forgotten all about her awful morning spent puking up the bloody remnants of her injury. One growl from her stomach was all he needed to hear, and Thrayke called through to the kitchen on his handset. “Junk food, and plenty of it please,” he said to whatever servant was at the other end, and they then settled down to watch the start of another movie while they waited for the food to arrive.

Kyra felt rude taking such liberties with Kronus’ home and staff, but Thrayke seemed happy going about his cheeky day off, so she didn’t let her worries burden her or ruin their relaxing day together. Being with him and having fun so effortlessly was exactly what she’d missed, and Kyra was glad they’d found it again so easily.

She wondered where the King had gotten to, but also knew there was still a planet to run, and some potential backlash to deal with following their covert operation in Istanbul. She decided against questioning Thrayke on why he was babysitting her for the day as well, and just sat back and enjoyed the forced relaxation her weary body needed, while she indulged in some of the perks Kro Island had to offer her.

With the food came their wayward host, and he seemed far more relaxed than he had in days. Kronus slid into the chair beside her, and stole bites of everything Kyra reached for. She slapped his hand away with a smile, and he eventually gave in and ordered more from his maid. The woman nodded politely and then left the three of them to it, while Thrayke hit the play button to resume the movie.

“Poltergeists, good choice,” Kronus said with a smile, and he leaned in closer to whisper in Kyra’s ear. “I’m here if you get scared,” he told her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She nestled into his hold, regardless of not being scared one little bit, and relaxed against the strange yet enigmatic man who still had her utterly spellbound.

I wish you were always here
, she replied through silent lips, and cursed the heart fluttering wildly in her chest for him. There was no way this wasn’t going to end well, but she was a glutton for punishment, and knew she would take whatever she could get while it lasted.

Chapter Eleven

After a few more days spent doing hardly anything more than relaxing in front of the huge movie screen with the countless films at her disposal, Kyra was almost back to her old self again. She was able to walk around for longer periods of time, and ate so much food she was surprised she wasn’t piling on the pounds, but her metabolism seemed to be running at an all-time high. Even her spirits were up, and she, Kronus, and his horde of hardened soldiers were all getting along better than ever. She’d even gotten to know Domo a little, and soon saw for herself how absolutely devoted the Master Protector was to his sovereign. It was wonderful to see how well his men cared for Kronus, but Kyra had to admit she regularly wished for some more feminine company. Her thoughts often went to those few women she’d known and loved like sisters over her life, and a few times she almost asked for information regarding Samia or Brona’s whereabouts, but didn’t want to overstep her boundaries now that she was making a conscious effort not to push her luck with her gracious host.

Kyra’s voice still hadn’t returned, but the cellphone now permanently glued to her hand was a godsend. That, along with a method of tapping or clicking with her tongue to answer simple questions, seemed to be working for the time being. The use of the ‘once for yes, twice for no’ system was all she needed half the time anyway. That, and an angry scowl whenever necessary, but for the most part, she and Kronus seemed to be getting on wonderfully. Their friendship was flourishing naturally, and Kyra couldn’t deny her attraction to him was as well.

Following a full week’s rest, Thrayke came back to visit and he finally gave into her insistence that she was ready to occupy her time with more than just food and movies, so he brought her some work to do. While he didn’t seem impressed at her choice of pastime, he still delivered her with everything she needed to start cracking old codes and reviewing some of the cold cases from The Tower’s archives.

Regardless of him having told her it wasn’t human business, she then also began her own mission brainstorming the reasons why this illustrious genetic code was outsmarting the Thrakorian scientists. She had no idea about biology or the science behind it all, but she knew codes, and getting back to them felt like the right thing to do. Being behind a computer again after what felt like forever was a welcome step forward as well, and her hands were soon flying over the keys like they’d never left them.

She couldn’t work as long hours as she would’ve before her injury, and wasn’t cracking anything with ease, but she knew it was a worthwhile start. Kyra liked knowing she was at least contributing something to their cause, even if her nightmares were still plagued by the ghosts of her past that demanded answers she still couldn’t give them. The many men and women she’d failed came to her night after night, calling her a traitor, when all she wanted was to make them proud. If their deaths meant something, then at least they hadn’t died in vain, however her subconscious mind didn’t seem convinced. It told her so via her nightmares, and Kyra would wake every morning with more and more dread buried deep in her gut. The pain of her misdemeanors was hitting her full force, and she had no other way of trying to atone other than to work harder, seeking answers and hopefully a way to ensure no more humans were sacrificed because of the Thrakorian curse.

Kyra wasn’t always sure what he was up to, but Kronus seemed busier than she would’ve previously thought, and he was always quiet about where he’d been or what he’d been doing when he’d return. He stopped by to spend time with her as much as he seemed able to, and Kyra genuinely enjoyed having him in her life at long last. The first few days back on Kro Island had been hectic, but things had slowly settled down, and she felt as if he was finally letting her in.

Thanks to his abundance of human artifacts, there was always something to capture her attention, and he seemed to enjoy showing off his huge collection of items. His large island was like a museum of a world that seemed as if it was from a time eons before, not just decades previous.

She was finally able to have fun for the first time in what felt like forever, and was glad Kronus was letting down those walls of his at long last. They spent at least part of every day together, and she soon felt comfortable with him in the same way she had with Thrayke while they were exploring their friendship. There were still fears dwelling in her gut, but she tried her hardest to force them away and focus only on the then and there, rather than the unknown to come.

“Show me something you brought here with you, a taste of home, or piece of art?” Kyra asked Kronus via her cellphone one night over dinner, and he smiled in a coy way she’d never seen him smile before. It was a gentle, boyish look that made him look younger, and she liked it. She’d often wondered if the migrants from his home planet were nostalgic like the humans, or if they even enjoyed arts and culture in the same way, and she thought perhaps the differences in civilizations might be the reason why he was now a collector of such historic remnants from various points in humanity’s history.

“There’s only really one art form we truly enjoy, Kyra. We’re a race of warriors and hunters, and we cultivate our skills from childhood, but there are some who don’t embrace the soldierly way of life. We have complete equality between our genders, but not all women grow up wanting to join my father’s ranks, and some pursue another way of life entirely,” he told her, and his smile widened as he thought about home. “Here, let me show you.”

Kronus stood and took her hand. He led Kyra to a small room at the end of yet another long hallway, and showed her inside. A large leather sofa took up one side of the small room, and across from it sat a row of speakers with a sound system sat atop them. An additional device was also connected to it, and the small piece of advanced technology was unlike anything Kyra had seen before. It looked like a large version of the same cellphone she used daily, but was clearly Thrakorian-made. If he’d let her, Kyra was dying to have a fiddle with it, but she forced herself to remain patient.

She took a seat and watched as Kronus fiddled with the machine, and then gasped when the most beautifully melodic voice surrounded them. The song consumed her, and it was so lovely she let it. The voice sang in another language she’d never heard before, and yet the words washed over her and she understood the sentiment without needing them to be translated. Kyra swallowed the lump that always seemed to be in her throat and then closed her eyes. She let the wondrous sounds take her away, and welcomed the escapism such a simple activity could bring her. Lost in her thoughts, she then jumped when she felt the sofa dip beside her with Kronus’ weight.

When she opened her eyes again, Kyra sucked in a sharp breath. He was sitting so close she could feel his breath as it fluttered against her cheek, and their lips were barely an inch away from each other’s. She refused to make a move on him, out of both respect for his wishes and because of her fear of getting her heart broken, but she silently pleaded for him to take what she was still ready to offer him even after everything they’d been through.

Kronus stayed perfectly still, but his deep brown eyes flicked up and down between her eyes and mouth. He licked his lips, opened them as if to say something, but then bit down on the bottom one to silence his words. It was clear he was betraying himself and his upbringing by desiring her rather than his betrothed bride back home, and so Kyra decided to do the right thing. Even though she hated herself for not jumping on the opportunity to potentially have the one thing she’d dreamed about her entire life, she knew if they let themselves go down this road, they’d both regret it. She cocked her head to the side and instead planted a soft kiss on his cheek, and then quickly backed away before she changed her mind and threw herself at the mercy of that heated stare.

Kyra then focused on listening to the rest of the song, while she and Kronus looked everywhere but at one another. When it was finished, he took her hand and led her back to the dining room so they could have some dessert. Not once had either of them said a word, and she didn’t have the urge to either. She simply followed his lead and enjoyed every moment she could grasp with him. Even the feel of her tiny palm against Kronus’ huge one sent a chill down her spine, but Kyra knew she’d take the stolen, yet perfectly innocent moments anywhere she could. It felt good to elicit some excitement from him, whether she could act on it or not.

“That was beautiful,” the robotic voice chimed from her cell at her behest when they’d returned to the dining room. “I’d like to hear more.”

“You may listen to it any time you like,” Kronus answered, but he kept his eyes on the bowl of chocolaty gooiness sat before him rather than stare across the table at her.

“What’s it called?”

“The piece doesn’t have a name. It’s just a song written by one of my ancestors. And it’s my mother voice you heard, singing in our ancient language,” he then added, and Kyra suddenly understood his coy smile. Just like any good and loving son, he missed his mom, and it was lovely to see him let down another of his walls, even for just a moment.

***

Time healed all of Kyra’s wounds, except one. Her voice seemed well and truly gone, but despite her limitations, she and Kronus managed to have full conversations via her cell’s monotonous voice, and had even developed their own hand signals to converse while in public. The others around them didn’t seem to understand most of their made-up gestures, and she knew why. Kronus was still private, even with his closest guards, but he had his tells. So did Kyra, however no one else had spent enough time with the two of them to notice their inside jokes. The pair saw the conveyances easily in one another as they grew closer, and made them into a way of communicating without words.

Thrayke had been back at The Tower for weeks, and she had to wonder if it was because he’d had enough of watching their friendship blossom, but hoped that wasn’t the case. She needed him to be part of her life just as much as she needed Kronus, and she wasn’t ashamed to tell him so.

A busy work schedule had recommenced for Kronus’ team of advisers as well as Thrayke’s Gentry. While the increased amount of work being sent down from London was hard on her, she tried not to let the load weigh her down too much. Whenever Kyra felt as if she was buckling under the pressure, she hated owning up to it, but would scratch her chin to tell him she needed a break. It was just how Kronus acted when he was anxious, and rather than make an issue of her fatigue, he would simply call for a break from whatever meeting or work session they were in.

She was glad he was being so attentive, and that whenever she was tired, but fighting it, he seemed to be able to tell. It was obvious to her that Kronus had a habit of being a hothead, but he’d thankfully learned early on during her stay how much it riled her up if he demanded that she go and rest. She didn’t take well to his orders in general, for some reason, and guessed it was because there was still some resentment buried within that made her want to defy him—even if it was over something as simple as a small order. Instead of barking commands at her, whenever he wanted to ask Kyra if she was okay, Kronus ran his thumb over the nape of his neck at the point where her already faded scar began. She would answer with her clicks or taps, and he’d quickly call an end to their working day whenever she told him yes. Sometimes though, Kyra opted instead for a rude hand gesture meant only to make him smile and ignore his own unease, and it seemed to work. Quite a few times he’d begun laughing in the middle of an important meeting when Kyra had flipped him off from across the room, and she loved how seemingly naïve he was when it came to cursing. She quickly taught him the basics, and could never stop from laughing hard whenever he finally put them to use while shouting or commanding his shocked comrades. None of them seemed to know how to handle the changes in their King, and Domo had confided in Kyra how he much preferred his leader’s softer demeanor.

“You’re good for him, and I suspect the feeling’s mutual?” he’d wondered aloud without a care for her flushed cheeks, and Kyra hadn’t been able to deny how right he was.

***

When she was feeling up to walking for longer periods of time, Kronus took Kyra on a grand tour of his island, where he showed her all of the larger and more obscure items he’d collected to go in his array of purpose-built hangers. He had huge rollercoasters and attractions that whirred to life only at his request. There was every form of transport she’d ever heard of—from a unicycle to a snowmobile—and even a fully functioning electronic casino run by computer systems rather than croupiers. He’d evidently scoured the world looking for things that’d taken his fancy and then brought them back to his home to experience them, but there was a huge part of it all that didn’t add up.

“How can you enjoy all of this alone?” she asked via her handset while they rode horses on a stunningly preserved carousel, and Kronus shrugged. He seemed embarrassed to answer, but she hadn’t asked the question to make him feel bad.
It’s okay,
she mouthed, and he peered down at her from his towering height with a sorrowful expression.

“It’s because I’m so alone that I need these things,” he replied after a few quiet seconds. “I’m the youngest of many heirs, and in typical fashion, I had the last pick of planets to reign over. I got this place—a planet full of parasites and rejects. Or at least that was what I thought, until you came into my life.” Kronus climbed down off his colorful steed and pulled her close. “I couldn’t stand it here before, and distracted myself in every way I could find. I came to this planet because I was forced to, and endured the first twenty years by hiding myself away and letting my advisors run it as they saw fit. Now, I’m in control for real and it feels amazing. I make the decisions, rather than simply signing off on everything the Chief of Defense asks of me. I’m growing, learning, and changing. It’s about time, too.” Kyra was proud of him, and the lessons he’d learned. Kronus really had changed, or so it seemed, and she was glad he’d taken charge at long last.