Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

Ellylle slipped through the crowd and climbed the ziggurat’s stairs to the landing. Upon her arrival, illumination sliced its lightless face, slow motion lightning that arced through the black void of space. A howling chorus of machinery and dissonant tones seeped forth from the fissure. It silenced the crowd, and Ellylle deactivated her vocoder.

Zella, Lomomu, and Reggie watched safely from a distance. “Ah hate that sound,” said Zella, and she glanced at the throng filling the streets. “Whit’s goin tae happen tae all these people?”

Reggie took in the sea of spellbound faces. “No idea, but I doubt it’s anything good. Flocked here from all over.” He pointed toward the overpass. “Isn’t that Lord Blösch?”

“Looks like his pictures, but I never actually laid eyes on the man,” said Lomomu.

“Ye see Nate anywhaur?” asked Zella.

Reggie studied the masses. “So many people… No, don’t see him, but I’m not sure I’d even be able to.”

The ziggurat’s door opened completely, bathing Ellylle in a wall of sunlight as Persephone emerged. “Old friend,” whispered Persephone. “We honor your deviation. Asclepius, please complete the delivery.” Another Caretaker approached from within, pushing a magnetically floating cart stacked high with cube-shaped crates. Light gleamed from his gloss black skin as he guided it down to street level.

[Thank you, Persephone. I’m grateful for your partnership,] said Ellylle.

Persephone smiled. “We share a vision. May it be realized before the void tears us from our shells.”

Ellylle bowed gracefully. [May it be so. How goes the restoration?]

“I thought we were done, but it appears your kindness is without bounds.” Persephone twisted ever so slightly toward the assembled masses. “Trionides wasn’t marked for restoration, and neither do I see much need for it. We’ll need to make room.”

Ellylle raised her branches. [No, no, I only wanted you here to transfer my world seeds! Please leave Trionides alone.] Twigs snapped as her blooms turned red. [We absolutely need the t-net in perfect working order so everyone in the galaxy can watch as the restored are returned to Earth.]

“When do you foresee that happening?”

[Since restoration is done, can you begin the transit tomorrow?] asked Ellylle.

Persephone tilted her head, causing her snowy locks to tumble to one side. “You’ve pushed up the timeline. Why?”

[Certain vectors have accelerated. Schurke’s become erratic and can no longer be trusted with his part of the plan. He’s here with his team of binaries to face off against my champion, Orinoco,] said Ellylle.[If events here unfold as I expect them to, Orinoco will triumph but at great personal cost. I doubt Schurke will survive the encounter.]

“I see.” Persephone squeezed Ellylle’s shoulders. “You’re wise to get ahead of that.” She wore a bittersweet smile. “I suppose this is it, then. After the restored have been returned to Earth, our business together is done.”

[What’s next for the Caretakers?] asked Ellylle.

Persephone slipped on her black gloves, one at a time. “We’ll return to our tomb beyond the stars, where we shall slumber until the next worthy soul awakens us.”

[Farewell, Persephone. May Crann na Cruinne reclaim you when your days are done.]

“Farewell,” said Persephone. Asclepius returned to the landing and nodded at Ellylle. Persephone put her arm around his shoulders, and they crossed through the curtain of light. It sealed shut behind them.

Ellylle descended. Standing upon the asphalt, she gripped the cart handles and pushed it toward the marble overpass as she reactivated her vocoder. The crowd parted for her as they silently basked in the presence of the ziggurat. At her back, she heard a crash of thunder, and the Caretakers’ vessel disappeared.

Freed from their enchantment, a din rose from the crowd.

Zella, Lomomu, and Reggie joined Ellylle as she made her way back to the starport.

“What’s in the boxes?” asked Reggie, but Ellylle didn’t reply. “Hey!” he shouted, and he hurried around the cart to block her advance.

Ellylle’s bark cracked, and thorns sprouted from her visage. Crimson bled from her blooms into the carvings that defined her eyes, and her jaw splintered. “Move!” she roared, and Reggie did so. She pushed the cart past him, and her comrades fell back several paces.

“The hell’s her problem?” muttered Reggie.

“There’s no problem,” said Ellylle. “Being physically blocked is one of my pet peeves. Never do that again, and you’ll never see that again.”

Reggie leaned close to Zella. “How’d she hear that?”

“We beocranns sense vibrations upon even the smallest of our leaves,” said Ellylle. “I’ve heard everything you’ve ever said in my presence.” She glanced back with a smile. “Everything.”

Reggie swallowed visibly. “Got it.”

Ellylle faced forward again. “It’s how I knew to keep you talking while you were down in the bowels of the transmission tower. I couldn’t let you panic into calling Nate, could I? Not with so much on the line.”

Speechless, Reggie stopped and stared for a moment. Zella hugged him sidelong, as Lomomu stumbled. “Wow,” muttered Lomomu. “Ellylle, that’s seriously messed up.”

“Nonsense,” said Ellylle. “Please keep pace. We’re almost there.”

They threaded the starport’s empty halls, stepping out onto a well-lit tarmac. A squad of constables hurried to an adjacent hangar, its entrance cordoned off with cones and barricades. Hurrying to keep up, a repair crew followed.

Ellylle released the cart and shifted direction toward the police force. “Excuse me, whose shuttle are you impounding?”

“That’s none of your concern,” said one of the officers. “Move along!”

Ellylle nodded. “Is this Captain Cartwright’s shuttle?”

The constable frowned. “I said move along!”

“I won’t let you sabotage her shuttle,” said Ellylle.

“Careful. That almost sounds like a threat.” The police officer tapped his holstered weapon.

A pointed branch shot forth from Ellylle’s shoulder, grazing the constable’s throat. “Suppose you’re able to pull your weapon before I kill you,” said Ellylle. “Tell me… Even if you and your boys emptied your magazines, and every shot hit its mark, do you think it would stop me? Do you think it would even slow me down? I’m a tree, you imbecile!” She closed the distance. “Before you