Dark Nine ❈ Dark Nine Universe Bk1 ❈

Chapter Forty-Six

Diana's POV

3 days later

I was disappointed that Leroy stopped dating me. He said something about having to admit himself into intensive psychotherapy for intrusive and unclean thoughts. And just like that, I started to notice my isolation.

I was surrounded by Light Nines but I was dirtied by my past. Then I tainted Leroy.

I had left my apartment, hair tied up in a bun, heavily pregnant and a week away from giving birth, I waddled into the park that only had one occupant – a cleaning robot sweeping the paths. I sit in my night shift and with bare feet, feeling like a night-witch just bathing in the moonlight, while totally alone in the middle of the Light Nine City.

I sit feeling apathy for everyone here.

I hated it.

But I don't know why.

The feelings appeared out of no-god-damn-where. I was better than corrupt thoughts, so easily mastered if...

I zone out, sick of my own thoughts because they went in circles and loops, always repeating.

The cleaning robot passes by and the beeping noise it makes, reminds me of the news broadcast today.

On the Brink of War.

Kor.

Humans.

A runaway Queen.

It didn't make sense at all. I considered my past-position totally irrelevant, yet my name was spread across the Intergalactic News Channels like it still mattered even though I had willingly made the decision to change and choose otherwise.

Something didn't add up... in my brain.

I feel my baby kick and then I feel a hot flush – rushing down from the top of my head, my hair flying backwards.

I think it's me – then I think it's the wind... then I bother to look up.

I see a Stealthing Spacecraft, triangle shaped, blue – dark blue, shimmering off and on with its magnificent Kor-design.

I watch as the Kor spacecraft hovers lower and lower, until over the grass, a door swings opens on the outside and one Kor in particular holds onto something above him as he leans out, holding a hand down for me.

Alpha Centauri in his dark robes – the Estori – perfectly timing his interception of me at the moment of my deepest self-reflection so far. He must see the annoyance in my gaze. Annoyance for this place.

He was a King. I was a Galactic Queen.

I guess –

It –

I –

"Time for your medicine, Diana," Alpha Centauri smiles down at me, slowly letting the humour settle in. After a small while, I kind-of smile – almost – but I stop myself before I react too positively.

"For the contractions?" I ask, "The baby isn't due for a week –"

"Baby number one arrived a little early, no? Who's to say this one won't come early?" Alpha Centauri asks so kindly, his hand still outstretched toward me and waiting patiently, that I stand up from the bench and walk toward him.

I don't take his hand, but I do get closer to speak more privately with him.

"I'm not sure you should be here, Estori," I murmur in concern, as he squats down to my level and looks me over, "I don't want to communicate with Kors. I'm not available for insemination anymore – I'm saying that – I – um – ah –" Alpha Centauri reaches for me, clasping his hand over my mouth, he stops me stuttering.