Rival: Fate of the Stars, #2

By Arwen Paris

It's a role she didn't want…

One deadly week has passed since seventeen year old Allison Delaney realized she must save Earth from the parasitic race of Ma'tiok. But the task is even more complicated than Allison feared, and she's being set up to fail. Blamed for a fatal blow to the Alliance Fleet that killed dozens of soldiers, Allison must face judgment for their deaths. The High Priestess Kiobaan is Allison's only hope. Kiobaan sees the warrior spirit in Allison, along with her potential both politically and physically and agrees to train her.

And a game she can't afford to lose.

Meanwhile, though Allison is the human host of Eenoki, protector of life, she's not yet ready to harness their combined energy. Their bond is unpredictable at best—volatile at worst. Time is running out for Eenoki and Allison to trust each other—all or nothing—or she'll never gain the power she needs to defeat the Ma'tiok and save Earth. When Allison is marked for death by an unknown enemy, the High Priestess Kiobaan must step-up and fight. But in return Kiobaan extracts a pledge from Allison, one that will compromise her new status and make her a target.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Legendary Prose
• Release date: Nov 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386821540

Arwen Paris

Arwen Paris is the author of young adult fiction. Her debut YA Sci-fi Urban Fantasy novel FATE OF THE STARS released September 1, 2017. The second book in the Fate of the Stars series RIVAL is coming in 2018. The actions packed pages of her novels are filled with characters that are forced to face fears they never expected. When she's not writing, you can see posts of her (too many) vacations that keep her sane. Arwen lives in Washington, has a big crazy family & after the day job, she writes Fiction For the Fearless - #F3Fanatic

Book preview

Chapter 1

MEMORIAL

Staring out of the tinted bulletproof windows of the limo, I can't tell for sure how gray the clouds are that gather above us. I hope it doesn't rain again. It's unsettling to come back here. To see the complete destruction of the California oceanside town that I once called home—Avilene Beach. It's a ghostlike cemetery of charred, crumbling homes and palm trees turned askew and broken apart. Just like me.

This is the direct result of my decisions.

Wind skitters across the surface of black puddles racing by, reminding me of the oily blood of the Ma'tiok. It's been just one week since my old life, my human life, ended and this new one exploded into existence aboard the bridge of the Pontak. Acid rises in the back of my throat and I crush my jaw together hard until my lips press into a thin line. Why did Eenoki pick me?

Priestess, do you understand what I said? Katok's sharp telepathic tone startles me out of my immersive guilt.

Stick to the speech the High Priestess provided. Yes. I got it. I swallow hard against the rising bile being pressed there by the trembling in my gut. What if this press conference makes things worse?

Was Katok talking? Stephen scowls at Katok, who even seated on the spacious floor of the cavernous limo is hunched over in a cramped position. "It creeps me out that you guys do that head talking stuff. You know I'll keep you safe, don't worry so much." Stephen reaches out to me but Katok snatches his hand midair, crushing it in his huge taloned palm.

Ow! Dammit, Katok! Stephen clutches his wounded limb.

Katok's lips curl back menacingly to reveal his white fangs and piercing resolve. Stephen knows better than to try to touch me. I swear that's almost a smirk on the massive Vongjar commander's leopard-like face. His Pride’s glowing orange symbols burn bright over his two hearts, one below each shoulder. The crimson chest plates grind as he moves slowly closer to me.

I sigh and can't help but glare at Stephen, who sits across from me. You know Katok is going to be cranky at having to cram himself in here. That, and he doesn't like you.

Stephen's dark muscular arms cross hard against his white navy button-up shirt. Even with the blotchy purple and yellow bruises healing across his tense neck and face, he's still handsome. But his haircut, shaved in military style, makes me miss his longer tawny surfer hair.

Stephen, if I can't be the bridge between the Alliance and Earth, our world won't survive the Ma'tiok. You understand that, right?

His angry blue eyes lock on me, softening, and he smiles.

I look away and clench my fists on the cold, empty, black leather seats beside me. We can never make it work. He'll never understand what I am, or what I have to do. I have to serve the Alliance to have any chance of getting them to fight the Ma'tiok on the ground, instead of glassing the Earth like they have done to so many other infected worlds.

The blue tint to the air thickens as we get closer to our destination. What if I had just gone with Z'iram and left Earth behind? Maybe he would have spared those who died here.

No, comes the voice of Eenoki in my head. If we left, there would be no hope of the Alliance helping this world fight back. Any other choice would have meant the total destruction of Earth without any chance of survival.

I know Eenoki is right, but the truth still hurts.

The High Priestess will arrive soon, aboard the planet killer Star Fire, to judge and test me. This speech is another test, one that I can't afford to mess up. If Kiobaan doesn't publically declare me a Priestess of Earth, then there will be no ambassador to the Alliance or protection for our world.

I take a deep breath and straighten the pale gown Tarem made me wear, irritated at how ridiculous I look. Not that I own any clothes besides what the Alliance has provided me. Before we left, my reflection shocked me. The way they pinned up my long auburn waves under a small crystalline hairpiece that stands a few inches high reminded me of my vision of Aakina. The memory Eenoki shared with me from her last day alive, before she and her world were wiped out by the Ma'tiok.

I turn to Katok. How much longer until there are too many Ma'tiok for your troops to handle?

His golden eyes widen. They multiply too quick. The ground troops struggle to do more than contain them. Our current calculations project ten Earth days at most. We need Alliance support to do any more. Katok shakes his head.

Ten days left? It's only been twenty one since the Ma'tiok arrived!

Stephen, is there any news on the spread of Ma'tiok and the infected?

He leans closer. Admiral Hurst says that there are over ten thousand Ma'tiok and infected humans on the ground, and that combined kills between Katok's troops and the US military don't even equal the rate they're multiplying at. We are losing every day.

Not including the tens of thousands who've already died, I whisper. A hollow ache builds in my chest.

Katok grumbles and moves to block my view of Stephen. You must not fail, Priestess. Without you, there is no hope for this world.

The limo slows and we begin to creep through a large crowd of protesters. They shout with fists raised, their faces twisted in hatred as they scream at us. A gust knocks a homemade picket sign into my window and a bang rings out. I jump and my heartbeat races as Katok lunges across the seats to take my place near the door. All around us signs of hate bob up and down: Go Home, Earth is for Humans, No Alliance, Thank God for Dead Aliens. I'm at a loss for words to explain to my companion Eenoki why so many people hold up such despicable messages. I tear my gaze away from them to stop reading.

My skin crawls as I realize hundreds of eyes peer at this target of a limousine, wishing for my death. The humans despise everything that's not of this world, or that's been marred by the aliens. Including me.

It is not for you to take responsibility for their actions.

I know, Eenoki. But any chance I have of success today rides on my ability to rally these people, and those all over the world, to work with the Alliance against our true enemy. We have two days left until she arrives. Then what? What if I fail?

I've been purposely not reading the speech I was given. It will only make me doubt myself more. The way the Vongjar and other alien races of the Alliance have treated me and other humans...well let's just say we are considered a lower, almost animal class.

Our limo slams the brakes, snapping our necks hard. A furious, bearded young man runs up and spits on the tinted window inches from my face and I flinch.

Katok taps the holvid pad on his wrist. Tarem, send in the Hytan guard— He speaks in Vongjar.

Katok, no! I shout.

Have them keep a moving perimeter around this vehicle until the Priestess reaches our final destination.

You're only making it worse. These people are angry; they've lost family and friends—

Allison, what going on? What did Katok do? Stephen asks.

Shouts turn to screams. A great shadow of a beast in black-banded armor blocks the window where spit still slides down. A blood-red eye lowers down the window until it blinks before me. The giant werewolf-like Hytan snarls, revealing a muzzle of gleaming fangs. A quiver of hatred and fear snaps alive, as memories of Z'iram and his torture of me hum painfully along my nerves.

He was a monster. He had to die.

Do you think the Alliance will charge me as a war criminal, Katok?

His noble face snaps to me and he shakes his head. "You are a Priestess, Allison. I have known it since the moment I met you. The High Priestess Kiobaan will recognize the importance of your preservation."

But Katok always believes what's honorable will win. What I wouldn't give for Mom to be here with me, to help me figure out my future, but she's dead now. A sharp sting forces tears to blur my vision. The car stops, but Katok doesn't move.

The door opens beside me and the scent of salty ocean air mingling with acidic char stings my nostrils, even though it rained all day yesterday. I miss the ocean. The smell of barbeques and bonfires, sunscreen and seaweed. My unappreciated life that existed up until three catastrophic weeks ago. So much is missing here from what I remember, but that's to be expected when your entire town was burned off the face of the Earth.

I slide over to get out of the limousine, pausing to take a moment and allow the cold leather seat to cool my fear-slicked palms. Katok begins to squeeze out of the limo, struggling to free himself and lodging his seven-foot body in the doorway.

A warm grip catches me off guard as Stephen gives my hand a quick squeeze while still hidden within the car.

You've got this, Allison, he whispers.

I can't help but smile sheepishly and blush. As Katok breaks free of the doorway, the limo rocks and Stephen moves quickly to follow after him. I'm sure they're checking to make sure there are no more surprises ahead.

The rowdy crowd of about a hundred people drops an octave to watch our entrance. With a deep breath I stand up tall, remembering my lessons. A collective breath is drawn, and I know it's because of the alien look of my clothing and my liquid silver eyes.

Seven towering Hytan guards line my path to the stage, and no one dares threaten them. Their hot, wet breaths make me press my elbows tightly to my sides, making my body as small as possible as I pass under their watchful eyes. One by one the fur-covered monstrosities kneel beside me. The memory of Priestess Aakina walking on Rigadt fills my mind and I hold my head high, trying to emulate her dignity.

A little face behind the fence catches my attention. Her blond hair whips around the black metal as her tiny hands clench the bars. Her icy blue eyes like the summer sky over the ocean are the picture of tranquility. She watches me, with no expression or judgment. I smile and give her a little wave. To my surprise her face lights up with a big toothy smile as she waves excitedly back.

That is why I'm doing this. So that she can have a future.

The wind lashes the American flag hanging above the crowd, producing loud cracks in stark contrast to the mournful remains of Avilene Beach. A pang of guilt fills me. The sheets of rain yesterday have scattered the ashen remains across the caramel sand that blows mercilessly. No buildings slow the fierce gale as it rakes across what was once a beautiful town. A cold shiver courses through me.

I carefully walk up the three steps to the podium to make sure I don’t trip. The last thing I need is Tarem teaching me how to go up stairs without falling. When I reach the top, the blinding lights make my eyes water. The shadow of the podium stands before me and Katok waits there scowling.

What are you doing up here? I ask telepathically while smiling.

His expression deepens and I ignore him to look for Congresswoman Adams. I’m ready to get this over with. Cameras begin to click, blinding me for a moment.

Let’s begin the ceremony and bring some closure for the citizens of Avilene Beach and our nation. The speakers blare with what I assume is Congresswoman Adams’s voice.

Another human politician, droning on about what a great sacrifice was made here. How the lives lost will never be forgotten. And how can they be? I sneak a quick glance at the yellow ribbon tied across the dedication area. So many little flags flutter against the temporary crosses with names inscribed, including my mom’s. The memory comes back to me of the firefighters, military, and first responders who raced here to help us and ended up losing their lives to the Ma'tiok invasion. A fierce anger flickers through me.

I present to you, Allison Delany. Congresswoman Adams opens her arms as though she’ll embrace me. As I grudgingly approach, she quickly backs away. I can’t help but roll my eyes, which thankfully no one can notice since they are completely silver. This has been the only benefit I’ve found in them.

At the podium platform the plywood beneath my feet tilts back a little and I jerk forward, gripping the frame tight. Taking a deep breath, I force my fingers to unclench. A clear holovid screen flickers to life before me. Text appears, not in English, but in the Alliance text. Through my bond with Eenoki I can read and write both without effort. It's like my brain just translates it automatically.

I clear my throat and in the sudden deafening silence I make the mistake of looking up at the faceless crowd staring back at me. Sweat licks my armpits. I shouldn't have looked. Just stay focused, Allison. Read the words.

Today we honor the warriors of the Alliance and the citizens of this world who lost their lives. They have proven their allegiance to the High Priestess by giving their life and their knife in her service. For over nineteen of your planets years, we have fought our way across the galaxy to wipe out the Ma'tiok and their spreading plague of destruction. Rejoice...

I can't say it. Every muscle locks painfully and my cheeks burn as I stare at the words in disbelief. If I read this, it will outrage everyone here, including everybody in the world who's watching this. But if I don't it will infuriate the High Priestess and could