Chapter 10
10
Selena
T he darkness enveloped me, a void I struggled to escape.
My first memory came in a flash—the cold, clammy sensation of the test tube where I had grown. It was wet, suffocating, with wires and devices attached to my skin.
Panic set in as I fought against the restraints, my mind reeling from the sensory overload. And then the glass door opened—
Then, a flash to another scene. The walls were padded and white, the room devoid of any warmth or comfort. Vidtablets lay scattered on the floor, their screens flickering with incomprehensible data and images. My fingers ached from scrolling through endless streams of information, trying to make sense of my existence. I was trapped, my mind desperate for escape—to live in the paradise in my dreams—but my body remained confined.
A sharper memory cut through. The glare of harsh light off a medical table assaulted my senses. Straps bit into my wrists and ankles, holding me in place as beings of my past—more machine than flesh—loomed over me. Cold metal instruments sliced into my skin under the beaming light, the pain excruciating and unrelenting. Their voices were devoid of empathy, clinical and detached, indifferent to my screams. Pain was my constant companion, a cruel reminder of my helplessness.
Next, I found myself walking down a sterile hallway, other demihumans muttering as I passed. I felt their eyes on me, judging, questioning my worth. Their whispers followed me, wondering why a failed experiment was getting so much attention. Their words stung, a constant reminder of my perceived inadequacy.
The scene shifted abruptly. Blood. Fire. Debris. I stood over a reptilian alien body, the acrid smell of burnt flesh filled my nostrils, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. My hands trembled, my heart pounding as I took in the destruction around me. The flames licked at my skin, and the weight of what I had done settled heavily on my shoulders. It didn’t matter. Now there was only time for escape.
Then, darkness. Silence. And a soft, warm light. I opened my eyes and saw Xylo for the first time. His presence was a balm to my wounded soul, his eyes filled with understanding and a promise of something more—a future beyond the pain and the nightmares.
Darkness consumed me, pulling me away from the memories. The cold, the pain, the fear—all of it vanished into the void. I felt weightless, as if I were floating in an endless abyss, detached from time and space. The silence was deafening, the emptiness overwhelming.
But then, a sensation—a warmth spreading through my body, like the gentle touch of sunlight.
I blinked, my vision clearing slowly.
Bright yellow sun. Bright blue sky. Vibrant and colorful plant life. The sounds of lilac-colored waves crashing onto the white- sanded shore brought peace to me as I leaned against the stone railing of the villa’s porch overlooking the island. The sea breeze blew my hair, short strands tickling my face.
I felt two strong presences appear beside me.
“Welcome to my dreamscape.” Biting my lip, I tilted my head toward the sky, scanning it and frowned at the lack of mental doors. “Actually, I apologize. It appears that we might be in a psychic construct instead.”
“There’s a difference?” Ryzen asked, confused.
“Actually, they are similar enough for me to mistake one for the other.” I spun around to face the two males who stared at me—whether it was in awe or curiosity, I was unsure—and gestured to the sky. “My dreamscape usually contains mental doors to the threads that connect my mind’s shields to my mates. I don’t see them now, so we must be in some psychological construct that I subconsciously created—or my Oetsae did. In any case, we’re stuck here until we can resolve whatever power struggle the two of you decided to engage in instead of making respectful introductions.”
“We can discuss that soon, but first…” Mwe stepped forward, his magenta aura faint as he reached out to me. “Selena…Daughter…What did I just see?”
“You saw it too?” Ryzen glanced at him. “That means I wasn’t imagining it.”
“You saw my past.” I sighed, combing my hair back. “Well, up until the Circuli found me.”
“But why?” Mwe came closer, until we were nearly chest to chest. His glowing magenta gaze searched mine. “Why show us this?”
“You think I meant to?” I cocked my head to the side and gestured to the sky. “I didn’t mean to do any of this. To show you both the dark secrets of my past, before I was found. You think I wanted to be reminded where I came from and how I got here?”
“No, I don’t believe you did,” he muttered, reaching for my face, then halted, as if waiting for permission. “And yet, we saw it, and we’re trapped here.”
“I hate my past. I’ve been trying my hardest to never think about life before Xylo. The only thing I want to remember from before is my time in the dreamscape with Zirene.” I frowned, leaned into his hand, and closed my eyes. “My past is painful. It’s a reminder of how many people in this galaxy know about the experiments and might try to repeat them. And I’m afraid that there are others who are willing to go to extreme lengths to get their hands on me, for what I can do.”
“I told you that I would protect you from such monsters,” Mwe spat as he wrapped his wings around me, holding me close. “I will use my position to prevent such practices from happening within our galaxy. You and your clan deserve happiness and security.”
“But it’s not just about us, don’t you see?” My eyes shot open. I shook my head and met his gaze, unflinching. “The Quaww have been starting skirmishes along our shared borders. A rich merchant from their territory was partially responsible for kidnapping me to use me for renewed experiments. That scares me, but as the Aldawi rulers, Zirene and I have more than my concerns to consider. He refuses to start yet another war after defeating the Yarrkins less than a year ago, because he doesn’t want to see more Aldawi lives lost in battle.
“I feel partially responsible, because I know that he’s already got his hands full relocating the capital to be closer to Destima. Plus, he’s trying his hardest to fix the damage his late sire and ancestors have done to the Empire. And with my upcoming request to the Assembly to harbor the refugees in the asteroid base, he’s being forced to sponsor me.” I gestured to Ryzen.
“I’m running my Sovereign ragged in order to help those in need. To save others from the fate I endured. All I ask is that you not stand in my way as I reshape history—so humans, demi-humans, and any other in need of a home can live here in my sanctuary.”
“You can’t save every lost soul in the universe, Selena,” Mwe murmured. “Even I don’t have that power.”
“But you do have the power to help me and my cause.”
Mwe sighed, closed his eyes, and backed away, dropping his hand from my face. “I do.”
“So are you going to help her?” Ryzen asked, glancing between us. “Help the base my brother and I built?”
Mwe opened his eyes, his magenta aura flaring with a fiery intensity. His gaze locked onto Ryzen. “Why should I help the followers of a male who telepathically tortured and kidnapped Selena?” Mwe’s voice was a low growl, every word dripping with disdain. “Those are extreme offenses, Ryzen. Your brother might be condemned to torture and death. The Aldawi Sovereign has every right to put a bounty on your brother’s head if he wants. And I wouldn’t be able to do a thing about it.”
“My people are innocent. They shouldn’t have to pay for their leader’s mistakes.” Ryzen met Mwe’s glare with a steady gaze, his runes flickering slightly. “And we know of a threat worse than the Yarrkins lurking beyond your galaxy. If left unchecked, many more innocent lives may be lost.”
A shiver ran down my spine at his words. Worse than the Yarrkins? The thought alone was terrifying. I searched his eyes for any hint of exaggeration or deceit. But all I saw was a grim determination, a seriousness that left no room for doubt.
I’d heard stories, whispers about the government they were hiding from, but I didn’t think they would come after our galaxy, too.
Mwe’s wings twitched, his aura fluctuating as he processed Ryzen’s words. “What could be worse than the Yarrkins?” he demanded, though the fierceness in his tone had softened slightly. “We just ended a war. Are you saying we will be thrust into another?”
Ryzen’s eyes softened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. “My brother and I are Verya,” he began, his tone somber, carrying the weight of old wounds and deep truths. “We’re a psychic species responsible for leading the Axxel Galactic Federation. Our government fought valiantly against the Vhalxt and Yarrkins.”
Ryzen’s words painted a picture of a galaxy in turmoil, battles fought on multiple fronts. His voice grew more urgent as he continued. “The Yarrkins found themselves besieged on both sides—attacked by the Vhalxt and the Federation. They were desperate, cornered. In a last-ditch effort, they invaded the outskirts of your galaxy, conquering and decimating species as they traveled. It seems they met their demise by the Aldawi’s hand, with your government’s aid.”
“Which is how Earth got attacked, and humans were captured and experimented on,” I muttered, frowning. The bitter truth about how I came to be didn’t hurt any less no matter how many times I was told.
Mwe’s magenta aura dimmed slightly, his intense gaze fixed on Ryzen as the gravity of Ryzen’s revelation fell upon us. I could see the struggle in Mwe’s eyes, the battle between his anger and the understanding of a larger conflict at play.
“The Vhalxt and the Verya,” he mused. “Whom should I be concerned about?”
Ryzen didn’t hesitate. “Both are dangerous. The Vhalxt invade planets and ravage their populations. They use any species strong enough to sustain their eggs as incubators. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae eat their way out from within.”
Mwe’s wings fluttered in agitation, his magenta aura pulsing with unease. “And your species, the Verya? What should we worry about? They control the galactic government, do they not?”
Ryzen met Mwe’s gaze steadily. “The Verya are powerful psychics. Our abilities vary depending on rune color and number—the more we have, the more powerful we are. Knowing this, our own leaders decided to set up a breeding program to excel our species to the position they are right now.”
“Tell me,” Mwe ordered, his voice slipping into the professional mask he employed to bring Assembly meetings to order. “What’s threatening the CEG?”
“Mwe,” I soothed, grabbing his wrist, throwing aside decorum. “I wanted the two of you to talk for this reason. Ryzen has seen things and faced nightmares, as have the rest of my ambassadors. He’s warning us now so that what happened with the Yarrkins doesn’t happen again because the CEG is blind to any new threat.”
“I understand that, now.” He glanced down at where my hand held his wrist and smirked. “You’re a bold one, Daughter .”
“I had to be in order to survive as long as I have.” I winked, returned the smirk, and then sighed, letting go of his hand. “Can you promise me you’ll play nice and hear him out?”
“Play nice, huh?” Mwe shook his head, uttered a tsk , and then gestured skyward. “Do I have any other option?”
“Honestly, either of you could probably brute force your way through my psychic construct if you truly wanted.” I shrugged and lifted myself onto the ledge, kicking my feet as I watched them both. “Shields may be my strength, but I know my limits. And the two of you are among the most powerful telepaths I know.”
“I haven’t tried to break free.” Mwe frowned and turned to Ryzen. “Have you?”
Ryzen flicked his hair behind his shoulder and shook his head. “I don’t want to accidentally harm Selena in the process. She’s pregnant and has been through enough. If having this private chat in here is what’s needed to keep both of us from—as I believe Selena calls it— peacocking , then I’ll stay in here as long as it’s necessary.”
“Agreed.” Mwe nodded. “The last thing I need is for one of Selena’s feral mates to overreact and try to kill us.”
“It’s already too late for that.” Vowels appeared next to me, his back to the railing I perched on. His golden form wore a sleeveless jacket and baggy pants that cinched at his ankles, similar to Ryzen’s clothing. “Kaede decided to draw his psydagger and press it against Ryzen’s neck for his…enthusiastic display.”
Ryzen grimaced and clutched his neck, as if to check for any marks. “I remember. I seemed to have mistaken his…skills regarding your security.”
“I keep telling you, Selena.” Mwe chuckled. “You keep surrounding yourself with all these aggressive virile mates, ready to defend you in the blink of an eye.”
He pointed to the ground, curling his hand into a fist and raising it. A golden cushioned stool rose from the ground, and he sat on it, fluttering his wings as he settled there.
My jaw dropped in awe. I had never seen anyone control this space, nor had I ever tried to do it myself, outside of my dreamscape world. He had to have seen my startled look, because he laughed and carried on making more chairs for us, this time with padded backs.
“I’ve never been in someone else’s psychic construct before. I’ve always been the one to create them, and mine are never this beautiful,” Mwe explained. “I am merely making your already nice environment a little more comfortable while we have this vital chat.”
Swinging myself off the railing, I joined him and settled into one of his psychically crafted chairs, taking in the way my body sank into the plush cushions.
Ryzen looked at both of us as if we were insane, then sighed and grabbed the seat across from Mwe, leaving the other one for Vowels.
“Care to join us, Vowels?” I gestured to my Oetsae to join us.
“I believe we haven’t officially met, Chamber Master.” Vowels nodded to Mwe as he gracefully sat down. “I’m honored to have Selena as my host. In return, I keep her healthy and safe to the best of my capabilities.”
Mwe’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Euouae. “What exactly are you?”
Euouae leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his head cradled in his hands. “I am the least of your worries,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “But know this: My kind is loyal to Selena and the Aldawi Empire.”
Mwe lifted an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to me. “I’ll repeat what I said earlier—you hold many secrets, Daughter.”
I met his gaze steadily. “I hope that just like Oeta, you will promise not to share them with the rest of the universe.”
Mwe tilted his head in Ryzen’s direction. “And what about him?”
Ryzen huffed and shook his head. “I’ve observed enough to put together many pieces of Selena’s life, more so every day.” He paused, his voice softening. “I owe her not just one life debt, but two—and have already sworn my life to her.”
Mwe’s expression softened slightly, the tension in his posture easing. “Two life debts?” he repeated, his tone curious. “How?”
“The first was when she saved me from the abyss. I almost lost myself at death’s door, to forever be with the Stars. The second was when she risked everything to bring me here and meet you.”
A flicker of understanding passed through Mwe’s eyes as he turned back to me. “You’re always full of surprises, Selena.”
I smiled, feeling warmth spread through my chest. “It’s just part of who I am.”
Mwe sighed, his wings fluttering slightly. “All right. I swear, I’ll keep your secrets.”
Relief washed over me, and I reached out to squeeze his hand. “Thank you, Mwe. It means more than you know.”
He nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You make it hard not to. In a way, I too owe you a life debt. You took Oeta in, so she can finish her late mother’s fertility research. For that, I am forever thankful.”
I looked into Mwe’s intense gaze, my resolve unwavering. “I’m doing what’s best for everyone,” I said, hoping he could see the sincerity in my eyes.
Mwe shook his head slightly, his expression softened, though a mix of admiration and concern lingered in his eyes. “You’re too kind, Selena. I hope no one ever abuses that kindness or takes away your light.”
A blush crept up my cheeks, and I quickly changed the subject. “You should hear Ryzen out. Let him share his truth with you. Then you can use that knowledge to protect the galaxy. And, hopefully, you’ll let me share my light with those refugees in need.”
Mwe’s demeanor shifted instantly, the playful edge gone, his focus sharpening as he turned to Ryzen. “Tell me more about your species and those runes that materialize your weapons.”
Ryzen inclined his head, his eyes flickering with the soft glow of his runes. “Each Verya has a spirit weapon born within them, which manifests when we reach maturity. We learn to become one with our weapons, summoning them whenever needed.”
Intrigued, I leaned closer. “What do the colors of your runes mean? Does everyone have multiple weapons like you?”
A shadow crossed Ryzen’s face; his expression grew guarded. “Some things are meant to be kept secret, at least until my base is granted a safe haven and citizenship. Forgive me, but some of my people with…special abilities have been abused and tortured in the past.”
Mwe muttered, “Your Cosmic Soul, I take it?”
Ryzen nodded solemnly. “Yes. Many believed that he could grant them the power to change the Stars’ Will, when all he can do is voice their warnings.”
Mwe crossed his arms and gave Ryzen a measured look. “I won’t harass any of your people, regardless of their abilities. I was just curious about how your powers worked and what you’ve seen. But I understand why you’re being protective.” He turned his gaze to me, his expression softening. “I’m protective of Selena as well.”
Ryzen smiled, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “I’m starting to see why.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and shake my head, though a smile tugged at my lips and heat crept into my cheeks. “You two shouldn’t gang up on me like this.”
Ryzen chuckled. “I would never. After all, you’re the one in control of this psychic construct.”
Vowels, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “I believe Selena wants to change the subject from herself and is asking for Ryzen to relate his warning about the Verya.”
Ryzen’s demeanor instantly sobered, and he sat up straighter, making me feel a pang of guilt for diverting the conversation.
“I am concerned,” I said, my voice steady but tinged with urgency, “that the longer we stay in here, the more worried those we left behind will be. Let’s get these politics over with, so we can enjoy ourselves during your visit. We’ve got a Harvest Festival to attend in about a day’s time.”
Ryzen nodded. “You’re right. We need to focus on what’s important.” He met Mwe’s gaze steadily. “The Verya are powerful psychics. Some have the ability to influence, even control, other species’ minds. Originally, our intentions were to maintain order and protect the galaxy from threats like the Vhalxt. But our leaders let our people’s growing power go to their heads, and they’ve become corrupted, seeking to use our abilities for domination rather than protection.”
Mwe’s wings twitched, his aura fluctuating as he processed the information. “If what you say is true, then I have no choice but to warn the Assembly,” he said, his voice measured and low. “How big of a threat do you think we’re facing?”
Ryzen shrugged. “That, I don’t know. My brother and I were once a part of a secret department within the Axxel Galactic Federation, overseeing the abduction and sale of protected species. Ever since your galaxy was discovered, pirates have been using the galactic war as a cover to kidnap lifeforms and auction them off for a hefty price.”
I frowned, not liking the direction the story was going. It appeared the base’s history was darker than I’d originally believed. “Why would the Verya support trafficking?”
“The pirates caught news about what the Yarrkins were doing to humans—creating a hybrid capable of absorbing the sire’s attributes and passing them along to their offspring. The Yarrkins wanted to make the ultimate lifeform, which could rapidly evolve, adapting with each generation to settle on any planet they conquered.”
“Selena was a product of that research,” Mwe muttered, glancing my way. “ Project: Adapt , am I correct?”
Swallowing, I nodded. “Yes, I am the only survivor of that line of experiments. Kaede and his half-sisters came from another project, one designed to create the ultimate assassin soldiers. All the other demihumans were products of their testing, to see what was transferable through breeding alone.”
“The pleasure cruisers.”
“Correct.” I sighed, not wanting to delve further into my past, but I knew it was needed. “Those who weren’t worthy to take part in either project were used as bait to gather more DNA samples. If they fell pregnant, their offspring was used in any way the Yarrkins deemed fit.”
“Which is what the Verya government wants to do,” Ryzen explained. “They want to expand our existing breeding projects. Currently, our species’ next generations are determined by a program that analyzes our DNA, spirit weapon, psychic powers and its strength. We’re collected to donate our gametes whenever the fertility scientists determine a perfect match to pass along chosen traits. Neither parent is involved beyond their original donation. Children are born in artificial wombs, then raised and educated by government-appointed caregivers.”
“So you don’t know your biological parents?” I asked, unable to believe that he was just like Kaede and I.
“Sadly, I do.” He frowned as a haunting look crossed his face. “But that’s a story for another time.”
“I’m sorry,” I said softly, reaching for his hand, but he snatched it away before I could touch his skin.
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Ryzen rushed out, cradling his hands in his lap as he gave me a pained expression. “They knew what they were doing…”
He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Anyway, my brother and I didn’t like the direction the Federation was going. What they’re doing was morally wrong—they’re promoting the very practices we were once fighting against. So, we left our positions at the Federation and built a secret base away from prying eyes, a sanctuary of sorts to allow the abducted a place to live. But sadly, less than a year ago, the base was discovered and attacked. I used all my power to defeat the attackers and give Xenak a chance to run with those left. That’s how I fell unconscious, and why my brother thought he needed Selena’s help. He felt like he couldn’t rule the asteroid base without me, and was desperate for help—”
“Which was why he had me kidnapped, and I ultimately managed to free you from the Stars’ pull.”