Queen Kaianan

By Cara Violet

A target on her back. The second installment of the Kaianan Trilogy is non-stop adventure, action and heroics for our newly favourite characters. Queen Kaianan is a thrill ride worth the read.

The univers

• Language: English
• Publisher: Violet Tourbillion
• Release date: Jul 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9780995366701

Book preview

Prologue

A particularly small Daem-Raal ran trying to catch up to the rest of his companions already gathered in the capital city. Always lagging behind he was, always the runt, always the slowest. This thought made him speed up. Faster, he willed himself, and bursts of red dust erupted under his small feet as his pace increased. He noticed the city had just shed its overnight mist and, excitedly, he felt the sun prickle on his maroon skin. He twisted his stick arms and legs round, to stop and watch the first sun draw bright light at dawn. To him, this was the prettiest sight in all of Croone.

Cuki, not again. Hurry up! He heard his leader, Humkar shout in the distance.

The tiny Daem-Raal felt his chest tighten. He hated letting the others down; it was another excuse for them to tease him, which he didn’t need. Finally on track, he passed through the red soil roadways while the small mesh homes flashed by beside him. His face lit up when he finally laid his eyes on the Bu-Ky Temple in its renewed, glorious gold architecture, and heard the sounds of his comrades off its walls:

"Ga moon ra, Ga moon ra …"

The chanting grew louder as hundreds of toddler-like Daem-Raal funnelled out the massive front entrance toward him. They battered multiple feet one after the other in train formation.

Ah! Wait for Cuki, Cuki called, waving his arms about. He was panting now, attempting to join the line; ducking out of the way of the front ranks of Daem-Raal and inserting himself into the midsection —

Thud!

Pain surged through his toe and suddenly he was flying through the air. His upper body flopped under him, and he somersaulted and pummelled straight into the Daem-Raal line like a cannon ball—bundling over a dozen of his peers—coming to a stop right at their feet.

Humkar rolled his eyes and let out a groan. "Curse that boy … step in line, Cuki!" He yelled from his throne.

Cuki fixed himself up and nodded vigorously, his oversized ears slapping him in the face.

"Insolent swine." He was pushed out of the way.

Damned fool. Another said.

They breathed heavily at him through their hooked noses. Deep blood orange eyes narrowed in spite, and he cowered from their stares as they stepped over him and marched on. So much for today starting off well, it was turning out to be like every other. They were always mean, always pushing him around. Well, he’ll show them: he did have a friend. Someone who was nice enough to speak to him and even care for him.

To Rook Mountain we ascend, he heard Humkar boom, hoisting his staff in the air.

They made their way outside the city, and deep inside the rear of the line, one by one, the Daem-Raal divided, guiding a levitating, horizontal crystal coffin-like case. Cuki built up his courage and slipped to the rear, jostling himself between his comrades, edging closer to the case. It was crafted out of thin, pliant glass and was almost transparent. He lifted his small body up to get a good look in. Staring at him through the glare of the case was copious shaggy brown hair, a white robe and bloodied chestplate, and flawlessly spotless white boots, all against a still, dormant body …

Dersji Brikin of the Felrin suddenly opened his searing brown eyes to the sky and pounding suns rising above him.

Chapter One: A Return Visit

Kaianan felt the thud of the ground underneath her. Her body shuddered. She spat grass out of her mouth and rolled over. Icy chill prickled over the skin on her face, even though there was a hot sun beaming down on her. Blowing out air and inhaling, she struggled to work out what planet Boku Jove had sent her to.

Screaming and shouting suddenly pierced her ears.

Kaianan yanked her head a few inches and her jaw dropped.

Hundreds of preforms, dressed in bright reds and navy were spread out as spectators in a ginormous stadium. The three-tiered concrete construction was perhaps filled with about sixty thousand people, and she was smack bang, laying in the centre of it. She checked her body; her tunic, slacks and boots were only grassy but her chestplate had a small crack through it. Her bones and skin were otherwise intact.

Kaianan couldn’t believe the amount of people staring at her. She used her fingers and brushed the grass out of her hair, realising she was on a huge oval pitch.

A whistle sounded loudly in her ears and a silhouette was standing above her.

Are you okay? the male dressed in little garb, said in perfect Vernacular.

"Fask of a Harpy. Am I okay? Kaianan snapped, rising. Who are you, preform? Where am I?" As soon as her vision darted sideways, recognition swept through her.

I’m Patrick, he replied. You’re in the middle of the MCG.

Kaianan did not acknowledge him, she was still attempting to put the pieces together. It couldn’t be.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground? He repeated, as if she hadn’t heard him the first time.

Patrick? Are you a human? Is this ….

Leave it, mate, another teammate shouted to him.

Then others came running onto the ground. The roaring voices coming in from three hundred and sixty degrees were drowning out Kaianan’s thoughts.

If you are okay, you need to depart to the exits immediately; you are holding up play, a man in a bright coloured t-shirt advised.

As more security personnel drew nearer, instinct kicked in and she began running.

Kate, she heard as she ran. Jumping over the barrier from the crowd was … Reddy? His small body in a bright winter coat struggled to make the landing onto the grass. Kate? He got close to her while she ran toward the exit ramp. Is that you …? the red-headed boy waved, it’s me, Reign … I mean Reddy.

This was Earth. She swore under her breath and continued hurrying toward the exit, away from him. When she reached the boundary and the concrete ramp, the crowd were booing in her direction.

You there, miss, a security guard called and additional human authorities, who had been on the grass oval, were now streaming along the ramp in her pursuit.

Kate! Wait! Reddy yelled. Was he insane …? She remembered she had had this conversation before … yes, yes, he was. She travelled down the arena interior which was a huge concrete jungle, turned left and stopped. She decided to try ‘porting. Nothing happened. With a strong wind blowing through the gates, she hastily trekked upward; hurrying along the concrete ramps that lead to the higher levels of the stadium. Commotion followed her. Finally reaching the top floor and emerging into another corridor of rowdy humans, Kaianan located a few doors nearby; she headed for them and tried to lever open the closest on her right—locked.

Kaia, she heard a stranger cry and the next thing she knew, the door in front of her was kicked in and she was dragged into the small room by two grasping hands. She arched her elbow backward and jabbed her assailant in the ribcage. She heard him (by estimations of groan) fall against an empty desk and small machine, with the latter going flying.

Kaianan. Please don’t, he said, endeavouring to regain his balance.

Who are you?

He stood up and wiped his camouflage jacket of soot. It’s me, Jax.

She lunged at him, gripping him by the collar. Brown eyes under short, beach blonde tresses were aghast.

Did you plan this? she said hastily, how did you know I was Vectoring into Earth?

I didn’t know… he scratched his head, … Rashid warned me to expect anything …

Like what?

… well, since you were last here, he had been fearful of invasion. Our world and their media have been speculating the worst since the Flinders Street attack. The Underworld are even more unsettled. I’m surprised we haven’t had a civil war yet.

Kaianan sniffed and released him. Civil war? I thought the Ministry of Earth could keep the Underworld under control …  and I didn’t think Rashid would cave and give them a Vector out … he said nothing to this, How did you find me anyway? I only just got here.

Kaianan scanned the corridors and the windows that were actually exterior floor to ceiling walls which gave her a view of the entire city. She skimmed her eyes over the city which she had come to know and after seeing no movement inside or out, she exhaled with relief and assessed Jax who still hadn’t answered her, "You actually work for the Ministry of Earth, yes? Are there more of you?"

Jax stared at the windy flags and trees Kaianan had been analysing. There would be many more; I’d been assigned to monitor this game—by the Underworld, not the Ministry—and, by the way … you were broadcast on prime time free-to-air TV. He added, worryingly, There are half a dozen other Morphs monitoring entry to Earth: we believe Earth is being invaded very soon, Kaianan. The pressure is mounting on Rashid. Varrid and Ulysus have stated they want him dead. They blame him for our current planet’s position after we helped you.

Who is going to invade, Jax?

We reason it may be the … Jax’s words trailed off as the crash of— Bullets! Jax cried, but not before the rounds had scattered through the room, with several plunging into his shoulder blade—splattering out the other side of his collarbone. He fell forward.

Kaianan grimaced and hauled his falling figure behind the desk; irritated by her premature assumption they had some time before anyone found them.

Leave me, he was barely audible, the Ministry will protect me. It’s you they want.

Kaianan analysed his injured body, and agreed with him. Quickly she removed his jacket and put pressure on the wounds that bloodied his grey t-shirt. Several more shots came their way. She crouched lower and replaced her hand on his chest with his own. She glanced at the window, at the trees swaying in the distance and for the third time, oncoming fire scattered across the wall next to her.

It fell silent.

Stay safe, she whispered to Jax, although she was sure he was unconscious, and she rolled to a safer spot of a bigger desk’s protection. When she spotted a door to another room, she dashed for it, and clasping the handle, found it locked.

Damn Seevaar!

More bullets hurtled inside, splintering the external glass windows – crash! – they were shattered outwards. Shouting began to rise. Kaianan abandoned the door while black-masked figures raced in, firing. Time slowed. She took a few giant leaps and closed her eyes as her last leap sent her through the fragmented windows and into the open air—high above the ground.

Her stomach churned as she tumbled through Earth’s atmosphere alongside broken glass; small pieces cutting her skin. Death was approaching in the form of hard-surfaced concrete—

Work! she hastened her aura, which fizzled to nothing.

—then everything stopped; her hands were cold.

Shooting her eyelids wide, she realised she had, by some means, landed on her hands and feet in a crouch.

Well, that worked out well. She mumbled, sprinting off, past the arena, toward an open plain of land.

Get your records! Footy records! The boy in the red jacket shouted from the small burgundy stand, shielding his eyes from the sun and holding up a magazine with AFL’s Elite written across it. There were also various stands outside the stadium selling merchandise and food. She could smell the sweet aroma of pastry and sugar. It wasn’t the time for a snack though, much to her disappointment. Examining her perimeter, Kaianan noticed the black-masked individuals running across a huge concrete bridge pursuing her, Who the holom are they, now?

Who cares, focus and get moving. The voice jumbled in her brain as she headed for safely.

Kaianan arrived at the closet street. Cars drove past her in waves of stop-start traffic. It wasn’t until she had crossed the street, reached the yellow dirt path and hiked the grassy slope that she felt she had gained time and space. And then that didn’t even last long –

That way! A voice shouted.

When she arrived at the peak, she heaved herself up over a metal fence and landed, facing a massive, deep, bowl-like stage. The land descended to the empty stage front. She took off. Not quick enough, she soon found her whole face pressed into the dirt and a heavy weight sinking into all the bones down her spine. She tried to kick and scream until a hard knock rendered her unconscious.

Chapter Two: A Reintroduction

Thudding in her temple, spotty eyesight and a sore face pressed on cold concrete woke her.

Kaianan, can you hear me? someone asked.

I think yes, she said hazily, stumbling around the cold and confined space on her hands and knees before finding something solid. It was some sort of bed.

Breathe softy; don’t move too quickly; the drug is escaping your body, the voice said, and she frowned—who the holom was this? She jerked her head in slight pain, and to what looked like the cell next to hers was the boy who had saved her, who sent her through a Euclidean Vector, away from the Underworld, when she was last on Earth.

Do you recall who I am? he said, sitting on his concrete bed between the bars that separated their rooms, blinking.

Well, she wished she didn’t … did that count? He had appeared out of nowhere the night the Underworld had decided to assassinate her, a fully formed white and silver second skin of aura accommodating him, and somehow, he was able to throw her through a self-generated Euclidean Vector to Rivalex, just in time… in time to –

You told me my people were dying, she said in angst, how did you know that?

The shadows covered most of his silhouette, but visible was his drawn, fragile face under long, strawy brown hair, possessing an expression of vagueness. His golden eyes had fallen to a slightly bloodied bandage loosely fitted around his bare abdomen.

I said how did you know?

I don’t want to talk about it, he replied quietly.

What? Because you sentenced them to death?

Keep your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you. His eyes were narrowed, burning into her, and she gulped in uneasiness, agreeing with herself to drop the line of questioning.

Where are we? she said, taking her eyes off him. Where’s Jax?

We’re in the Underworld lair, deep in the sewers, he said unconcernedly. In the dungeon cells, to be exact. Jax is fine, the Ministry got to him first.

What’s your name again?

I must have left an astounding first impression on you then … Kaianan’s eyes went skyward at this. … it’s Arlise.

She nodded and searched her thoughts. How did I end up in the middle of a preform crowd? she said to herself. There were thousands.

They have their ways, Arlise said, intentionally answering her, especially when a there is a large wane in the Siliou. They may have ensured only certain openings were available.

Kaianan glowered at him. I was being shot at. Small things were fired at me.

Bullets?

Yes, I think that’s what Jax said. Was this what Xandou meant by technocentric? If it was, she wanted none of it.

Really? … But the Underworld don’t use firearms … the Ministry … he trailed off.

What?

The Ministry does.

Well then, how am I here? If it was the Ministry after my neck?

I am not sure. Nor am I sure about what is going on.

Kaianan wasn’t buying any of it. He knew a holom of a lot more than he was letting on and she could sense that in his wayward behaviour (he was also having extreme difficulty in hiding it).

It didn’t seem right, though, how could the Conductors lie so easily. Recalling what she had asked Jahzara, questioning the credibility of the Conductors. Would they restrict Euclidean Vectors to prevent harm to their planet? Or would they allow it to be invaded? Kaianan was certain the Conductors were controlled by the Felrin.

Which drew her to the conclusion: The Ministry of Earth had caught her and handed Kaianan over to the Underworld so she could be executed.

Why, as the Earth Conductor and person aligned with the Ministry, would Rashid give me to the Underworld if he could get me a Vector out? she said.

Perhaps it was out of his control, perhaps the Underworld have started using firearms, perhaps the Underworld were actually the ones that caught you? I don’t know. Arlise replied, quickly.

No, they were Ministry pursuers and you know it. Why would the Ministry hand me over to the Underworld? Why do they want me dead?

You’ve got it wrong, the Ministry of Earth would follow protocol, as much as I don’t agree with half of what the Felrin do, the Ministry of Earth would never do anything against Universal Order laws or policies. You’re an outerworlder, they won’t kill you, they have no jurisdiction to.

I killed a preform. I turned him to stone first, and then he broke, Kaianan admitted, they all have a right to kill me.

Arlise sat quiet for a while, exhaling.

Kaianan readjusted her awkward sitting position to sit up on the bed, the death of the Underworld boy intoxicating her mind: the way he turned to stone, how he smashed to pieces on the ground, Julius’s shocked face.

How are you feeling anyway, since my rescue mission? Arlise said, changing the subject and clutching his black pants at his knees as he crossed his legs.

It took her a moment as she tried to get comfortable. I’m tired, she said flatly, caressing her sore neck, … and overly confused as to why I’m here.

Well, everything happens for a reason.

She didn’t believe that. Didn’t believe that smug look across his face either. This was the guy who opened up a Euclidean Vector to send her to Rivalex. Why was he still sitting around in an Underworld dungeon cell?

How have you not escaped? she said. Did you not open your own Vector to send me away? You’re a Conductor, right? Can you not open a Vector and get out of here?

I can’t conduct a Vector in this state, so why escape the cell, he said pompously. There would be no point in even trying. If I asked Rashid for a Vector, he’d say no due to the risk. And then I’d be stuck on Earth looking for an escape plan still half-dead. He paused to cough. Here, in the Underworld’s care, I can get sustenance and keep them thinking I can be used at some stage as leverage with Rashid. Although it’s been a while and I think they are beginning to realise I am not Rashid’s priority. They’ve been nabbing ministers instead – two new Ministers of Earth since your departure… both dead. Now that you’re here, I’m sure they’ve never been more excited.

Ministers, dead?

The Underworld are on the attack, he said darkly. They are doing everything in their power to get out.

Now Arlise was stroking his hair and fidgeting with his fingers.

Why has it been like this? Kaianan said confused. Why don’t they have access to Euclidean Vectors?

I’m not sure, perhaps the Felrin Congress has its reasons. He said as if in deep thought. Your initial arrival sparked a chain reaction, now the Underworld have never been hungrier to Vector out.

Did I do this? Kaianan said, feeling guilty, If I hadn’t come here, would this planet be better off?

I don’t think that at all, there was civil unrest here between the Ministry of Earth and the Underworld for years. It will be a topic for the next election of the Universal Order no doubt. They wouldn’t want worlds internally fighting, that could eventually damage their reputation, especially those planets outside their own galaxy. It would be hard to police— Arlise began coughing violently.

Kaianan grimaced when she saw blood drip from his mouth and he quickly wiped it up with his wrist and returned to stroking his hair.

Are you okay? she asked, staring at the bloody bandage around his abdomen.

I need Felrin medicine to heal, he said sluggishly. I am slowly dying. No biggie.

She frowned. Does it take fifty years or something?

Is this funny to you? And what’s with five hundred questions? He raised his eyebrows.

Well you got stabbed … but aren’t dead? You can see how this looks … a little satirical, yes.

Satirical? Something in his voice clicked and aggression took over. How long have you been gone, Kaianan?

A few days … she said, then Boku Jove crossed her mind, Actually I don’t even know when I’ve come back.

I’m immortal, I turn and evolve extremely slow. Can your feeble mind comprehend that?

Kaianan snorted. Who you calling feeble, skinny boy?

He laughed, but it was more of a dangerous laughter than a natural one. Not impressed with his vulgarity, she lowered her eyes and shook her head; with the shadows being overtaken by bright light streaming through the small crated windows, she ended up getting a full-blown look at his circular tribal like tattoos all over his chest and arms. She recalled his torso when he arrived at the station, the lines had been glowing in the light. What do those … or that whole thing mean? she blurted out.

He followed her eyesight and in a more relaxed voice said, They are a pattern.

Of what?

Why do you want to know?

I’m just asking, I don’t know anything about you and you were the one who sent me home, to Rivalex … I don’t know if I should be thanking you for allowing me to be there either.

No need to thank me, and… he hesitated, … this was a design on a ring I was given as a boy, he exhaled. It was given to me by my father, and then, I lost it. One day I woke up, my family was gone, the ring was gone and I was a captive with a less-than-civil people who froze me as I was. So here are the ramifications of that. He pointed to the top of his tattooed chest that wasn’t full of blood or bandages. And that’s it. That’s the whole story.

Kaianan could see some form of feeling cross him, but she wasn’t certain; he seemed jovial. Arlise was becoming more and more of an enigma to her.

I saw him alive just before I met you, he said eagerly. He wanted me to save you and I did. Do you know him? Arlise searched her face for an answer. Do you know my father, Dersji Brikin?

I’ve been asked that several times … she said in heavy concentration. Julius was in her brain saying the same things, but there was nothing she knew about him or remembered ever meeting him, … but no, I don’t believe I do.

Arlise shrugged, looking disappointed. He has a connection with you.

Kaianan found that hard to believe. Perhaps, she replied, the same time a loud cry bellowed across the room. Who is that?

They dragged a human boy in after you. Arlise said.

Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me? Reddy?

Is – ‘at – you, – Kate? Reddy’s voice was choppy and he sounded scared.

Yes, Reddy, I’m in the cell across from you.

Reddy sat up and to Kaianan’s horror she saw his face was badly injured.

Those damn Seevaars, she hissed, are you okay?

What happened? he asked groggily.

This is only temporary; we will get you out of here in no time.

Where … where have you been? Where did you go? They told me you ran away.

Reddy … I can’t really explain …

I did everything Kate, I got rid of all my distractions … I concentrated on playing ball… and now I’m in a school program playing all the time.

Kaianan beamed proudly. He seemed older… maybe… His hair fell a little bit longer around his face but the gap between his teeth was still visible. How long had passed? A few months? That’s really lovely to hear, she finally responded.

But you weren’t there to see me get accepted, to play my first game. I was alone. Again.

I’m sorry, Reddy. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to share it with you.

That’s okay… I’ve missed you, Kate.

She smiled through the bars at him. Get to sleep, Reddy.

He curled into a ball on his bed.

You … kind-hearted? Arlise said, suppressing a chuckle. Would have never guessed you for more than a pretty face.

She laughed and felt the heat fill her cheeks. Shut up.

Arlise’s head tilted. A faint tapping caught Kaianan’s ears.

Ah, my lady, you’re awake, a deep voice spoke from the shadows. Guards, bring her to the Realm Room.

The door to her cell swung open and two black cloaked, preform Morphs entered. In her state, she was no match for them and was easily detained. They heaved her out of the cell. Arlise placed his finger to his lips symbolising silence. What did that mean? Should she be quiet? Not talk to them? Either way, there was a good possibility she’d be dead before she could say a word.

Chapter Three: The Quarter Summit

The quarter summit of the Universal Order drowned in noise. The Felrin Congress sat in black chairs in front of two hundred and fifty planet and star system representatives who had travelled to Felrin for the quarterly meeting.

Lively bunch, aren’t they? There’s a Mark missing and here they all are. Farcry gone to their heads, I think. General Aradar smirked at the large Avalanche room, with its state-of-the-art slanted seating, accommodating all members of the Universal Order. The seven-foot-tall, bald-headed General raised his black eyebrows in jest at Principal Prudence.

That’s our plight. We do this to keep them busy, to keep up appearances, and let them know we have everything under control, Aradar. You should know better, she reprimanded, sitting to the right of him.

Aradar exchanged a flat look with her and regarded the audience.