Authors: Rosalie Redd
Saar moved closer and lowered his voice. “Do you think he’s still alive?”
“He has to be,” Noeh said. “Keep looking.”
They followed a path through the trees until they came to a small clearing. At the end of the meadow stood an old derelict building—the asylum. Noeh inhaled. The bitter tang of astringent raced down the back of his throat. Gossum. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, and his muscles tensed under his tunic.
The old structure had an aura of evil left over from its days as a human mental institution. Built in the backcountry of the Pacific Northwest to keep the insane far away from civilization, the condemned building was an ideal hiding place. Although he knew the building was here, he’d avoided the edifice and anything to do with humans.
“They’re in there.” Saar crouched against a giant fir tree.
“Agreed. Gossum stench is hard to miss.” Noeh studied the abandoned building and searched for movement in the smashed-out windows and broken doors. He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. The weapon vibrated at his touch. He stroked the handle in anticipation.
“I’ll scout the perimeter. See where they get in.” In the filtered moonlight, Saar’s scowl accentuated the scar that marred his cheek and upper lip. The mark was a badge of honor, one he used to intimidate the enemy.
Noeh nodded to his military leader. “We await your assessment.”
Saar disappeared into the night.
Noeh’s sensitive ears picked up the slightest sounds, even the normally silent flutter of an owl’s wings in a nearby fir tree. A mouse quivered under the azalea bush at his feet. His left ear itched inside. He rubbed at the nub protecting his inner ear, sating the irritation for the moment.
Crouched behind large boulders and trees, Noeh’s well-hidden soldiers stood battle ready.
Five hundred forty-two.
The small number was all that remained of his kind, the Stiyaha, a great warrior race of Lemurians. A lump formed in his throat. How many more could they lose before they perished?
He silently swore against the gods responsible for this war. They played their games with his beloved race, using his kind for their own selfish desires—to bring Earth’s water back to Lemuria. Several millennia of war and devastation had torn them apart, leaving legacies and legends of their great past. He clenched his jaw and focused his rage on the upcoming battle.
Revenge against the Gossum was his constant mantra. They’d taken his parents from him when he was a mid-youth, forcing him to become a child king. As leader of his kind, he’d done everything expected of him. Everything except take a queen. There was no point, not anymore.
Over five hundred years ago, the Gossum created a virus that had wiped out well over half of the Stiyaha population and left the remaining females barren. Luckily for the humans, they weren’t affected. Now, every dead Gossum was a small retribution for the lives lost during the great scourge, including his parents. Even though he longed for the type of relationship his parents once shared, he wouldn’t lash himself to a female when he couldn’t commit his heart. His chest ached, the familiar pain as strong as ever.
Noeh ran his hand through his hair.
Hold on, Gaetan. We’ll get you out of this.
Gaetan had always been there for him. His friend supported him during the good times before the great scourge and also through the never-ending battles with the Gossum. He’d mentored Noeh when he was young. Gaetan’s constant litany and tutelage was forever engrained in his mind. Most of all, Gaetan had helped him through the tough years after the death of his parents. Noeh wouldn’t leave his friend to die by Gossum hands.
The full moon lit up the ground, casting grotesque shadows from the building onto the courtyard and the old fountain that graced its dilapidated entrance.
The marking above his right eye pulsed. He touched the raised skin, which pounded with each beat of his heart. The third line down, the one for justice, burned from his desire for retribution. The one for truth and the one for honor were quiet, at least for the moment. He traced the link from his forehead around his eye to his cheek. Years ago, the spiral markings for compassion and faith had been dark and full. The faint whorls were evidence of his slow downfall. He wasn’t surprised anymore at his own indifference.
Saar returned to Noeh’s side without a sound.
“Nine Gossum on the main floor. The best entry point—the opposite side of the building, next to the gravel road.”
Noeh grasped Saar’s arm. “Good work. Let’s rescue Gaetan.”
Chapter Three
Ram grabbed the tongs and pulled the beaker filled with the female’s blood off the burner. He swirled the contents and brought the vial to his nose. Steam rose from the mixture. A rich copper-like aroma filled his senses, and the smell left a pungent tang in his mouth. If the mixture were correct, he’d possess the shield, gaining an advantage against his enemy.
His God, Zedron, would be pleased. They’d be well on their way to defeating the Lemurians and winning the war. He delighted in the opportunity that would allow him to subjugate the humans and bring Earth’s precious water home to Lemuria. He’d enslave and torture them like his brother had tortured him. A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.
He riffled through the rusty scalpels and yellowed plastic tubes until he found a syringe. The barrel had a slight crack, but wouldn’t leak. As he gripped the beaker with his bare hand, pain registered in the back of his mind, but he didn’t care.
The smell of scorched flesh mixed with the copper coming from the solution as the contents filled the syringe. He ran his fingers over the needle’s tip like a lover, and his pulse quickened. A low groan escaped his lips.
He adjusted the cap that covered his head. Leaning against the worn, wooden table, he rolled up the sleeve of his torn and grimy sweatshirt. A bit of rope he’d found was a perfect way to stop the flow of blood in his arm.
“Curiosity killed the cat.” The anticipation for the power made him giddy.
He brought the syringe to his lips, giving the vial a gentle kiss. The liquid’s warmth penetrated through the plastic. He shivered. With the skill of an ex-heroin addict, he drove the needle into his engorged vein and depressed the plunger. When he released the rope, the fluid surged through his system. Seized by ecstasy, his heart raced. He closed his eyes, and his head fell back.
“But satisfaction brought the cat back.”
Like a jolt of electricity, power filled his body. His skin warmed. A flush raced up his neck, flaring the scales at the base of his scalp. He hadn’t felt this good in months, not since the last hit of heroin, his once favorite choice of human drugs.
He raised his hands into the air. “Shield!”
Nothing happened.
He looked at his hands. How did she use her power?
He tried again, applying more force. “Shield!”
A glow emitted from his fingertips, and a spark popped in the air. His chest tightened. He wanted to lash out, force the power to bend to his will. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He wiped the perspiration away with the back of his hand.
Brow furrowed, he focused the current into a pinpoint. This time, a shimmery energy engulfed him. He managed to maintain the shield for several seconds before the force blinked out. His lip curved at the corner into a satisfied grin.
He would master this.
When I do, Noeh, I’m coming for you.
A loud crash rattled overhead, as if something heavy fell to the floor. Pounding feet shook the wooden slats in the dilapidated ceiling. Muffled grunts and groans filtered through the holes. Dust wafted into the air. He sneezed.
“Damn it.”
He ran out of the room and headed straight for the prisoners. A young Gossum stood guard in the hallway outside the captives’ cell.
“What’s happening?” The young sentry’s voice cracked. “Should I—”
“Stay here and protect the prisoners. Make sure nothing happens to them.”
“Yes. I—I will.” The guard’s fingers trembled, and he placed them behind his back.
Ram’s sensitive nose picked up the distinct smell of fear emanating from his soldier. “I’ll return when I can.” The lie rolled off his tongue. He didn’t give a rat’s ass about the guard. Weakness in his males was not something he tolerated.
He continued down the corridor and climbed the stairs with careful, measured steps, listening as the battle raged. His muscles shook, fueled by his excitement.
He peered around the corner. His heart pounded with anticipation when he saw who was there. Six large Stiyaha, including his nemesis, Noeh, were in the ancient dining hall. Long abandoned chairs flew through the air, and tables smashed as Stiyaha and Gossum fought in the enclosed space. A broken knob off the bottom of a chair skittered across the wooden floor like a child’s toy.
He smiled. They didn’t know he hid in the hallway.
A Stiyaha warrior battled one of Ram’s soldiers nearby. Engrossed in their own world, they were oblivious to him and the new power he possessed.
Perfect.
He leapt into the air and landed on a nearby table. The wood creaked and wobbled under his weight. He lashed out with his tongue. The jagged tip extended to its full length of six feet, ripping into the skin of his enemy. The warrior dropped his sword and cried out, his hand numbing from the poison.
Ram bared his serrated teeth and launched himself.
Noeh pushed his injured comrade out of harm’s way. Ram tried to adjust his jump to avoid his enemy’s sword.
Screeeeeee.
The weapon cried out as the sword slashed through the air.
The blade ripped through Ram’s jeans and connected with his thigh. Intense pain flooded his mind. Heat radiated in his leg. The smell of his own blood filled his nose. He didn’t have time to worry about the wound as he hit the ground and rolled to his feet.
Noeh stood battle-ready. He raised his sword for the next blow, tracking Ram’s every move. “Where’s Gaetan?”
“You should be worried about your own demise.”
Now was Ram’s opportunity to test his new power. His pulse hammered. He smiled, unable to contain his elation, and raised his arms over his head. “Shield!”
A small current of energy engulfed him.
Noeh’s sword crashed down and ricocheted off the force-field. The Stiyaha king’s eyes widened as he stumbled against the wall.
A jolt of elation raced across Ram’s skin. He didn’t get time to relish it, though. The shield blinked out, the energy dissipating into the air. He looked around the room. His soldiers were losing ground. Stiyaha used their swords and preternatural strength against his brood.
Outnumbered, his stomach hardened at the realization. Time to go.
He caught the stare from his first lieutenant, Jakar, and the same understanding crossed his face. He took one last glance at Noeh, who pushed himself away from the wall, his eyes filled with killing intent.
Ram dashed down the hall, leg pounding with pain. He pushed open the old steel door and ran into the night. The forest shadows swallowed him. Any Gossum that survived the attack would meet up with him at the cabin, their safe house.
He had proof the shield worked, and this gave him confidence in his ability to defeat Noeh. Now, he just needed more practice and another opportunity.
Chapter Four
Noeh pushed himself away from the wall. His adversary fled down the hallway, lost in the darkness of the old asylum.
Craya!
What just happened? Ram was able to stop his sword. The blade should have sliced right through him.
Blood rushed to his face. He wanted to lash out at his enemy to release his rage. Ram was just the latest in a long string of Gossum that had tried to kill him, and failed. There would be another, and another, until they succeeded, or he ended this war. If he won, Earth would become a free planet, and they could barter with the humans for water. At least he was playing for the right team, and for his Goddess, Alora.
He surveyed the room. His warriors had the advantage, their brute strength overpowering the Gossum. Ram would have to wait. They needed to rescue Gaetan.
“Saar, come with me.”
Saar glanced at his king then looked at the weakened Gossum pinned under his foot. He stabbed the vile creature in the eye. The brute collapsed to the floor and melted into a pile of black goo.
Noeh pointed to a nearby stairwell. “Gaetan is down there. I smell him.” His throat went dry. He hoped they weren’t too late.
Saar followed Noeh, their swords drawn and ready should any unlucky Gossum cross their path. The stairs led to a long concrete corridor. With closed doors every ten feet, the rooms seemed more like cells than sick bays. The stench of dampness and death permeated the air.
A chill rose along Noeh’s arms. They advanced slowly. The only sounds—dripping water and their labored breaths.
Five doors down, an open doorway beckoned. Noeh recognized Gaetan’s scent, and he wasn’t alone. Noeh detected the stringent odor of Gossum and another, unfamiliar, yet pleasant fragrance, like carnations and mint.
“Enter at your own risk, Stiyaha,” a Gossum shouted from the room. “I shall slay them both before you even—”
Noeh knew better than to negotiate. He rushed into the room, counting on his preternatural strength and speed. The creature darted across the rough cement floor, black eyes protruding from its head, claws extending from bony fingertips.