Lightning Bringer: (Lighting Seeker Book 2)

Destined

Vale fell through the air, electricity shooting through her as she spun, bringing herself face to face with the AI. She slammed into its torso with a crash as they both hit and rolled inside the skymaran. Crushing its chest with a steel knife, she electrocuted it with the last of her electrical charge.

She heard shouting as the AI sputtered, dying under her fingertips but Vale's rage made her blind to the world around her. All she could see was the AI, destroying the creature that had forced her hand. Its eyes dimmed, reminding her of Reign and all the others, eating away at her last moment of sanity.

Turning, she searched the skymaran for Kebar. Eager to destroy him in the same manner. Ready to end everything with one final death. But she couldn't find him, her eyes still blind from her furry. And in her moment of weakness, a sharp prick bit her neck from behind. Ice bled into her veins, snatched up by the adrenaline, and moved through her body with poisonous intent.

Her world blurred as Sky's eyes— no Kebar's eyes filled her vision. Vale stumbled, her legs numb. She swung out but found her arms too heavy to move. Her whole body was made of lead, refusing to respond. "What..." Vale slurred. "What'd... you... do?" The words took a great deal of effort.

"I changed the game," Kebar responded.

Vale fell to the ground, colors swimming passed. Mortem's ship was no longer above them and the skymaran moved at a terrifying speed. Wind yanked Vale's hair around her, angry and cutting.

She spotted the Devinus Castle, smoking in the sky. Fire causing it to glow brightly in the afternoon sun. It sputtered, descending towards the water below, dying as it was consumed by the ocean, greedy in its greeting.

"Where... where are... we... going?" Vale muttered her head slumping onto her shoulder, no longer able to keep it up. Why isn't he chasing after Sky? After Dash?

"Sky must have told you that I have blackmail on everyone," Kebar said in a nonanswer. He laughed, falling in and out of focus as he leaned against one side of the skymaran, watching Vale with cold, calculating eyes. "Did you ever wonder what I have on you?"

Vale blinked several times trying to focus. "I... have... nothing worth... hiding."

Kebar laughed. "We all have secrets Vale Vita. Daughter of Mortem." Vale's expressions were the only thing she could still control and at that moment she wished she couldn't. She wished he couldn't see the surprise in her features.

"You think I don't know about your mother's past?" Vale gritted her teeth, angry and helpless. "Daughter of one of the most valuable Tradesmen."

He paused, letting her have a moment to process. "I make it a point to know everyone's secrets." Kebar pushed off the side of the skymaran and crouched before Vale. "And I know yours."

Vale's heart tried to speed up, but the best it could do with the paralyzing drugs was sputter in a moment of panic before slowing again. "A girl that my subjects would love. One of their own. A rebel fighting for them. One that is on their side."

He doesn't know the truth. Let him think Mortem is my father. Mortem will keep my mother safe. Everyone who bets against Mortem loses. She gained a small bit of comfort in knowing that Mortem had been a thorn in Kebar's side for years and would continue to do so far after Kebar had killed her. The one man who refused to use the technology that monitored every aspect of people's lives.

Kebar continued, a chilling smile flashing menacingly across his stone face. "But even that is a lie isn't it?" He gripped her chin, holding it tightly in his cold ancient hand. "You are so much more than a daughter of rebellion." A gleeful fire filled his eyes. "You are a girl that the elites would tolerate due to your bloodline."