Part 26 (1/2)

They froze. The helicopter propellers were closer and vehicles sounded like they were minutes away.

”Michael, you've got to get out of here. I mean it. Leave,” Zaren hissed. In a blink he returned to the hidden s.p.a.cecraft.

Of course Michael understood why they wanted him to leave, but he wasn't going to. Not yet. Not until he'd figured out how to kill Vinny. ”I'm not leaving,” he said, looking at Venus. His eyes pled with her to understand.

She gave him a sad smile. ”Hang on.”

Michael followed every move Venus made, including her conversation with Zaren. Their interchange made him jealous. Zaren talked to Venus in a tender, loving manner. It was easy to see he cared for her as more than a friend. Venus responded by nodding and touching his face with the palm of a hand. Zaren reached behind his back and pulled a sword from its hilt. Michael hadn't even noticed that he'd changed back into the clothes he'd seen Zaren in that first day.

Venus hugged him and then tried to run back.

Ugh, hadn't she ever been told not to run with sharp objects. As the thought entered his mind, Venus tripped over something-a rock, maybe-and fell, the sword sailing from her hand.

”Venus!” Michael and Zaren yelled together.

Then Zaren said, ”Michael, please help her.”

”Already on it.” Michael reached her and helped her stand. She picked up the sword. He noticed her hands shook.

”Are you hurt?”

As he asked the question a humming started in the spot where the invisible s.p.a.cecraft stood.

”I'm fine. Here, take it. This can kill a kelvieri.” She held the sword in front of her.

He struggled to focus on the sword because a bright light, like the twinkling of a star, sliced the air in front of Zaren. As the light grew, he was better able to see the sword. It glistened. Michael took it from her by the handle. And the strangest thing happened. It began to glow. Intense, like the beam of a flashlight. Michael nearly dropped it, surprised. It felt alive. Sent jolts of energy and glimpses of knowledge into his body.

”What's happening?”

A smile crept over Venus's face. ”Michael, I don't believe it.” She started coughing, doubled over. When she moved away the tissue, it was dark with blood.

”Venus!” He grabbed her around the waist.

”Don't worry about me.” Venus pushed out of his arm.

Zaren had turned and was staring at Michael, his face filled with astonishment.

”What? Am I doing something wrong? Isn't this supposed to happen?” Michael held it lightly, in case the sword burst into flames, or worse, caused him to burst into flames.

”That only-” she began, but couldn't finish. She'd fallen to her knees.

”Michael, bring her over,” Zaren barked. He knew it killed Zaren that he couldn't be in both places at once. Obligated to get them on their way, yet filled with need to help Venus. He knew because he had the same feelings.

With one hand Michael lifted her and helped her walk over to . . . It wasn't one s.p.a.cecraft, but two. The effing things looked nothing like the round, domed s.h.i.+ps he'd seen on TV as a kid. They didn't even look like a s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p out of Star Wars, Independence Day or any other alien movie. Instead, there in front of him sat two glowing . . . marshmallows. He would've said eggs, but no. They were cylinder-shaped. Exactly equal on top and bottom. Marshmallows.

A conversation between Venus and him, while he'd been driving Red, popped into his head. Oh, this better not be what she considers cooler than my car, because these are ridiculous.

Zaren snorted and pressed against the side of one of their s.p.a.cecraft.

Michael was half-tempted to lift his nose in the air. Would they smell like the warm, sticky gooeyness of a roasted- ”They aren't marshmallows, you idiot,” Zaren yelled.

Venus let out a noise, as though she wanted to crack a joke and instead gasped for air, like a fish out of water.

”You can read minds, you sneaky SOB.” Michael would be p.i.s.sed later, when Venus wasn't clinging to life.

Zaren swore, but ignored Michael.

Michael moved closer. The s.p.a.cecraft may've looked like large white gooeyness, but they weren't squishy. As Michael watched Zaren tap it with his fingers, a panel slid down to reveal strange symbols, each one flas.h.i.+ng brilliant red. He touched several and a door slid open.

”Venus, get inside,” Zaren said.

Michael carefully let her go. She seemed to want to get inside by herself, but she took two steps and fell down. ”Dammit. Why are you so stubborn?” he whispered, setting down the sword and lifting her into his arms.

”Not. Stubborn.”

”Ha!” He went to the s.h.i.+p and carefully set her in what he guessed was a chair. It was white, but shaped like a banana. There were also lots of different b.u.t.tons, compartments and panels. All of them blinking, flas.h.i.+ng or speaking some strange language. ”Are you going to be okay?” he asked.

”I'll be fine.”

She'd said the words, but he had a feeling she lied. What can I do for her? She looked so broken, so frail.

Michael ran around to the other s.p.a.cecraft and found Zaren sitting in his chair pressing b.u.t.tons. ”She's in,” Michael said.

”Good. Now you'd better get out of here.” He appeared stressed. Michael turned to go, but Zaren stopped him. ”That sword-I'm glad it lit up for you. Be careful with it. The sword contains immense power, especially since it's taken a liking to you. And your father, Frank will want it, to study how it works. Don't let that happen. Your world isn't ready.”

51. Should I Stay Or Should I Go.

”I'll be careful.” Michael wouldn't let Frank, Abe, or anyone else get a hold of it. It'd be used for one purpose. To destroy Vinny. Afterward he'd stash it, hide it away.

Zaren grunted.

Michael realized Zaren read his mind, and nodded. He wanted Zaren to understand he'd never do anything ever again to put Venus or her people in jeopardy.

”When you next meet Dervinias, be careful. He's faster, stronger and more cunning than you are. He's been alive a long time. And he can break you with the flick of his fingers. All you'll have is the element of surprise.” Zaren shook his head. ”I don't know if that'll be enough. But I understand your need to try. As soon as I get the chance, I'll let those in control on Kelari know what is going on here. I promise.”

”I understand.” Michael moved away from his s.h.i.+p.

”Venus is ready, right?” Zaren asked. He appeared tormented that he couldn't be there with her.

”Yes, but I'll make sure.”

”Thank you . . . Michael.” The door slid closed.

Michael ran to check on Venus. She looked bad. Her eyes were closed.

”Venus.” He shook her softly. She didn't respond and the book he'd given her fell from her hands. ”You must wake up.” He checked for a pulse. It beat slowly. He picked up the book and placed it in her hands. ”C'mon. You can do this.” When she still didn't react, he ran over to Zaren and banged on the door. ”Zaren, help. She isn't waking up.” The door slid upward and opened.

”Michael, come here.” He poked his head inside the c.o.c.kpit. ”See this b.u.t.ton.” Michael nodded. ”That's to close the s.h.i.+p's door. See this here?” He pointed to a large rectangular k.n.o.b.