Chapter 19

NINETEEN

Ellion’s heart slammed against his ribs as he stood in the communications room. The air thick with the smell of ozone and the low hum of the communications module. A shiver crawled down his spine. This room, once a place of routine reports had become a prison cell. He touched the glowing panel, initiating contact with the Axis. The light pulsed, intense and harsh, making his head throb with pain.

“Overseer of Penal Colony 5-11B.” The Axis’ voice was as cold and sharp as broken glass. “Scans from our subatmospheric communications array show the Terian settlements in disarray. Their productivity has plummeted. Explain.”

Ellion’s jaw was clenched so hard, he spoke through his teeth. “The removal of the six females has caused unrest,” he explained. He didn’t mention the Terian males’ visit to the fortress.

“Unrest is unacceptable,” the Axis snapped. “The Terians are to obey. They are to produce. Their suffering fuels our enterprise. This disruption must cease.”

“I have subdued the inmates,” Ellion replied, clenching his fists. “They will cause no further disruption.”

“You have told us this before.”

Ellion’s wings twitched, his dragon fire flickering in his throat. He was tired of being their tool. “I have reminded them of their place. The Riests have sent all of them back to their farms.”

“The Terians live to serve. Their discomfort fuels our enterprise,” the cold voice of the Axis replied. “However, we have found a solution for your problem.”

Ellion’s blood ran cold. “What is that?”

“Return the Terian female 224-E to her settlement. This will appease the Terians and restore order.”

All the air left Ellion’s lungs, making his breath come in ragged gasps. “But she has seen an off-world ship. She has interacted with off-worlders. The rules forbid her return. She is no longer permitted at the settlement.”

“Indeed,” the cold voice agreed. “We will handle this transgression. A medical shuttle will be dispatched. Female 224-E will be stripped of all memories since immediately before her encounter with the Rasharks. She will be returned to her old life, unaware of the time spent with you.”

“No.” Ellion had reached his limits. He could no longer play this game. His wings unfurled and extended to their full breadth. His claws extended. “You will not touch her. She is mine.”

“Control your impulses, Overseer,” the Axis snapped. “This is not a request. Terian female 224-E will be collected and rehabilitated. Prepare her for retrieval. This is an order from the Axis, and it will not be defied.”

Ellion let out a snarl. He had to act fast. There was no way he would let the Axis take Turi. His mind raced as he fought to conceal his turmoil. “I understand,” he conceded, his words tasting of bitter ash. “May I suggest an alternative way to ensure compliance?”

“You may not,” the Axis replied coldly. “Prepare the female for transport. This communication is ended.”

The pulsing light shrank to a point and vanished, but its cold malevolence lingered. A chill on the air sank into Ellion’s bones. He stood there for a moment longer, his head spinning with shock and disbelief. Not his Turi. They couldn’t have her. A growl vibrated in his chest, echoing in the dimly lit room. They thought they could just take her. That he was their pawn who would obey without question. He’d show them that they had underestimated him.

With a roar of fury, Ellion slammed his fist into the console, cracking the metal and sending sparks flying. His heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination. He had to act quickly. The Axis would not delay that transport. He spun around and strode from the communications room, his mind already formulating a plan.

Ellion stormed into the main hall, where Turi and Ara stood by the ion fire. “Turi. Ara. We must talk.”

Turi rose from her seat, startled. Her eyes were wide with alarm. “What happened, Ellion?”

Ellion crossed the room swiftly, gut hard with determination. “The Axis want to take you, Turi,” he said. “They’re sending a medical shuttle to remove your memories and return you to the settlement.” He reached for her hands. “That will not happen.”

Her face paled, but she quickly regained composure. Her eyes narrowed, and she squared her shoulders. “What do we do?”

Ellion looked to Ara. “Ara, can you take Turi to your lands on the other side of the mountain? The Axis won’t look for her there.”

Ara’s form shifted from her terian form to something sharp and edgy. “Yes. She’ll be safe, Ellion. I swear it.”

He nodded, relieved. “Thank you.”

“And you?” Turi crossed her arms. “You’ll face the Axis alone? The fortress is a ship.” She began to pace, searching for a solution. “We could learn to operate it.”

“Not enough time.” Ellion knew they were up against impossible odds, but the thought of Turi being tortured and returned was unbearable. “Whatever the fortress is, it can’t help us right now. You need to take both journals with you. They’re the only record of what came before one hundred twenty-five years ago.”

“They’re going to alter your memory, too,” Ara said. “You need to leave as well.”

He knew this was likely the Axis’ intention, but he had no plan to turn himself over quietly. Ellion faced the female who had become his entire world. He knew the risks of what he was about to do, but he also knew that he would do whatever it took to protect Turi from the clutches of the Axis. “Ara,” he said quietly. “Take Turi to your lands, now. The Axis’ shuttle will be here soon, and you both cannot be caught.”

Ara’s shadowy form nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. “Come, Turi. There is an access route to the Skrac valley through the fortress’s north tunnels.”

“Wait.” Turi’s agonized voice made Ellion turn to her.

His gaze softened as he took in her stricken expression. He reached out, pulling her into his embrace. Her heart pounded hard, a mirror of his own frantic pulse. Lowering his head, he captured her lips in a fierce, passionate kiss. He poured all the love and longing he felt for her into it. It was a kiss that spoke of promises and potential, of a future they might never have.

“No matter what happens,” he murmured against her lips, “never forget that I love you, Turi. You are my heart, my soul, my everything.”

Turi’s eyes shimmered, but she nodded, her hand reaching up to touch his face one last time. “I love you too. Come back to me, Ellion.”

With a final, lingering look, Ellion released her, turning his gaze to the fortress doors. He knew that what he was about to do would likely mean his end, but he would not let the Axis take Turi. She deserved a chance at a life free from fear and oppression.

He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. The days of delivering reports and overseeing the settlements were over. It was time he took his place as a true Zaruxian warrior—a role denied him for nearly six centuries.

Ellion strode toward the massive doors of the fortress. His wings extended to their full, majestic span, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. The doors opened at his approach and he passed through them, possibly for the last time.

He leapt into the sky, wings grabbing the air and putting him aloft. The cool evening air rushed to greet him as he flew out to meet the enemy.