Page 30 of Nyanine's Divide

Ethan and Zaynt work together to explain their story to me, how this all started way back when with Layanna getting taken and Zaynt getting her out, which is how they found Ethan. Molly’s kidnapping was unrelated but brought about a new working friendship and resources for them, but saving Maya for Shannon was a massive struggle. Without Kij, they never would have found her again. Zaynt tells me about his struggles with watching Shannon and Ethan fight so hard to research, staystrong, keep going, when everything felt hopeless. He wanted to stop all this, to give them a happy life, and the only way to do it was to stop the Reapers. So they embarked on a final mission, one to gather evidence to put them away for good, allowing them to work alongside the universal law enforcement in secret, only for the Reapers to choose another way out. Unfortunately, they don’t get locked away forever, but they can’t harm anyone else anymore.

Zaynt reaches into his pocket and hands me a card with his name on it, his rank, and a number to dial. “If you ever happen to be in a position where you think you need a big amount of backup, you call me personally. I’ll make sure you’re helped, whether it’s us alone or my squad, you’ll have your backup.”

I stare at the card for a long time, memorizing the little details, struggling to keep the tears at bay. “I don’t understand. You kids barely know me, barely know us, and yet, you’re willing to offer yourselves up to help me no matter what it takes or means. Why?”

I look up to see Ethan’s shocked face. “What the hell do you mean why? You’re a part of our ever-growing family of friends, that’s why! And when one of our own is in need, we jump and help, no questions asked. You helped us tremendously when we needed it, and, sure, it came with a price, but it’s made a personal connection that I would never want to break. You’re family now, Cap’n. We help family. That’s why we’re here today. Kij is onto something, but he needs to bounce ideas and categorize things, and we help him with that.” Ethan shrugs, his left brow rising for a moment with his shoulder as his eyes twinkle.

He pauses, and I give him a quizzical look, wondering if I should go back inside and offer more help. My gaze flits to the ship, and Ethan chuckles again, Zaynt joining in this time as hegrumbles, “Let me guess, he kicked you out for making his job harder?”

“Yes!” I scoff and sigh, and the boys laugh. “Well, sort of. I gave up, too.”

Ethan pats my shoulder. “Don’t be offended. He did it to us, too, at first. But we’ve begun to learn his style. We can’t manage his algorithms like he can, we can’t scan through the information as quickly as he can, but when he has things of use sorted, we can help begin drawing patterns and making connections for him. We work as a team. It’s not always easy, he’s always twenty steps ahead of us, but it’s fun for us. If he told you to leave, it’s also because he doesn’t like seeing you upset that you can’t seem to do what he can. He doesn’t like to flaunt his ability, he just likes to do it. Let him help, let us help, and when you’re able to jump in, trust me, we’ll let you. We aren’t here to step on toes.”

I sigh, and nod. “He… said something similar.” I scoff and smile. “Well, I guess you guys better get to it. I’ll leave you be, and when you have something, you all know how to reach me.” There’s a large part of me that’s so grateful for their help that I vow to do something special for each and every one of them when this is all over, I just have no idea what. Which, once again, makes me feel like a useless failure as I struggle to accomplish anything today.

Ethan pulls me into a quick hug before the boys head into the ship, leaving me with Kosiiba and the quiet of the woods. “Let’s go home, Kosiiba.” My words are said through a sigh, my gaze on the trail ahead, as exhaustion begins to tug at me. If I’m going to be useless, I might as well get some rest. Right?

Chapter 23

Kari

Vahru and I are sitting outside on the back porch, enjoying some tea, while watching the sunset through the trees. There’s a gentle peace and quiet, even the animals seem silent for once. It makes it feel ominous, foreboding, and I’m not sure what to think at this point. Thinking that it’s probably just my nerves and irritation getting the best of me, I continue to sip my tea and breathe deep to relax.

The silence is pierced by a loud alarm from the comm in my pocket, followed by a loud crunch. Vahru and I jump up, staring at each other in shock as I rush to get the comm out of my pocket. Kosiiba yells for me as I lift the comm to see Kij while running around the house. “Someone is attempting to enter the barrier, Captain. What’s your decision?”

I pant as I rush around the house, following Kosiiba up the road toward the city to find a smashed car at the barrier. There’s smoke, creaking metal, and then someone tumbles from the vehicle. I recognize the dress, and when she rolls and I see her bloodied face, I scream, “Let her in, Kij!”

My hand fumbles to repocket my comm as I launch forward with Vahru, running through the now open section of barrier and grabbing her face. “Krissie, oh, my god, Krissie, are you okay?”

She moans, her eyes rolling for a moment before closing in pain. Vahru scoops her up into his arms as gently as he can, and we step through the barrier. “What do we do, princess?”

I call Kij and wave over Kosiiba, the other hunters gathering closer. “Here’s what needs done. I need hunters to help hide that vehicle, get it into the woods, sweep the road, I don’t want evidence that she’s here. Do it as quickly as possible so the drones don’t catch it if they haven’t already. We’ll get Krissie into our cabin, check her for injuries. Kij, if Tohtor wants to come help us, that’d be great. Then we’ll go from there. If you need more briefing, meet at my cabin.”

The hunters disperse as Kosiiba barks orders, Kij nods and hangs up, and I run ahead of Vahru to get the door open for him and Krissie. He stumbles in, laying her gently on the couch. I grab a cloth as he grabs a bowl of water, and I begin to clean the blood on her face the best I can while being gentle. He heats some water for tea or whatever, and I focus on her. Poor thing, she’s in this mess because of me, I can feel it. What am I going to do?

“Kari, Vahru, we heard the commotion, what…” Tavi trails off as her eyes land on Krissie. She gasps and steps inside as a low voice asks for entry. Tohtor comes barging in with Alex on his heels, a bag in his hands.

Tavi backs against the wall, watching on carefully as Alex blocks the door, keeping us safe. I nod to the black giant with the soft yellow eyes as he crosses his four arms over his torso and nods back. Tohtor gently settles on his knees beside me in his doctor’s smock, his leather bag between us on the floor. His large brown eyes flit between us in question.

“She was driving and hit the barrier, I’m not sure at what speed. She hasn’t spoken, only moaned in pain.” I sound frantic, nervous, and Vahru puts a gentle hand on my shoulder as he stands behind me. Tohtor nods, pulling a device out of his bag and quickly running it over Krissie’s body from toes to head.

“She’s got some minor abrasions and bruising, but no bone breaks, no concussion, she’s going to be just fine. I can give her some pain medication if she needs it-”

“No, I don’t need anything, I’m okay. I just… I need to gather myself.” Krissie’s voice is hoarse and mumbled, but we all hear her.

As Tohtor stands, I hear Vahru whispering to him, and they converse for a moment before he walks to Alex and turns. “If you do need anything else, any of you, just call. I’ll be here.” He and Alex nod as they exit.

Vahru hands me a steamy cup of tea and tells me it’s for Krissie. I recognize the green coloring to it and know it’s a form of healing brew that he’s figured out. I gently dab at some dried blood on her face, and her eyes flutter open to look at me. Her long brown hair is in a messy bun atop her head, her blue-green eyes dull with confusion. She slowly sits up, and I help make sure she’s okay before handing her the tea. She sips at it, getting her thoughts gathered, as we all wait patiently.

“I came to warn you, Kari. You’re in grave danger.” Her eyes meet mine, and the fear that I see has me pausing. She’s telling the truth, she’s genuinely scared for me.

“Okay, Krissie. I hear you, but I want you to start at the beginning. Fill me in on everything you remember, okay?” I pat her knee and give her an encouraging smile.

She nods and goes all the way back to the day I first came to visit with the chancellor and was denied. Krissie was her assistant/secretary and tried all she could to help us to get in to see her. I wish she hadn’t ended up getting hurt to warn us of the schemes her boss and her boss’s boss were planning, but I’m eternally grateful for her warnings and friendship.

“When you showed up with Tavionna and all but forced a meeting, she was livid. Since then, she’s spent days during the weeks locked in her office, yelling and arguing with a very angry man. Whoever her boss is, he is not happy about you. I overheard parts of their conversations. Other city leaders are involved, there’s a plot to stop you, but it was what I heard today that solidified my resolve to come here. They’re putting a hit out on you or someone you love, I’m not sure who, but they’re planning to hurt someone. You’re not safe!” Her voice rises at the end, her panic shining through, and I reach out to calm her.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay. We have precautions in place, we’re under guard, and we’re going to make sure that nothing happens to you either, okay?”

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