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

“I’m so sorry you had to experience that,” said Casey. She opened her mouth to say more, but Nimbus’s body and belongings turned to sand. In that instant, the team’s consciousnesses returned to their proper states, causing them all to collapse.

“We’re back,” said Mike, and he ran his fingers through the sand before sitting up.

Casey slowly stood and began changing into her clothes. “I guess someone broke the spell.”

“What just happened?” groaned Torsha.

“We’re back in our own bodies,” said Shona, and she flexed her hands.

“I realize,” said Torsha. She coughed and held the sides of her head as her ears swiveled back. “I meant before. Casey, what happened to your body? How did you come back like that?”

“Casey’s a binary,” said Malmoradan. “Just before we switched back, I saw it.”

Shivering, Casey climbed into her BICOM vest. “Well?”

“Well what?” asked Malmoradan.

Casey stared defiantly. “Did you like what you saw?”

“I ain’t sure what I saw, to be honest,” said Malmoradan. “Casey, why did you lie to me? You could’ve told me anything!”

“You and Cassie were so close, I was scared you’d turn me in,” said Casey. “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life rotting away in some dungeon.”

“You’re not her?” asked Malmoradan. “What did you do to her?”

“Seven years ago, I locked her in a cryo tube and buried it,” said Casey. “It’s where she belongs.”

Malmoradan’s face looked pained. “Why would you do that to my friend?”

“She was going to turn April over to some dirtbag for a poor man’s bounty.” Casey wiped the tears gathering in her eyes. “I did the only thing I could think to do, okay? I’m sorry!”

Malmoradan took a step back. “I don’t know you at all.”

Torsha tilted her head and stood akimbo. “Malmoradan, you’re being ridiculous. How can you honestly claim not to know Casey when you’ve spent the past seven years working closely with her? If the old Casey—”

“Cassie,” said Malmoradan.

“Whatever,” said Torsha. “If the old captain would’ve turned on her own family, don’t you think it’s just a matter of time before she turned on you?”

“Maybe.” Malmoradan glared. “Probably.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t like what you saw in me,” said Casey. “Imagine how I feel. I’m not even alive, and if Cassie ever finds me, that’s it! Everything I’ve ever done on my own becomes hers.”

“That’s not true,” said April. “You’re your own person now, and I suspect reintegration is no longer possible.”

“You don’t know how it works,” said Casey. “She takes and she takes, and she doesn’t care who she hurts!”

“I know how your powers work,” said April. “I’ve seen your file, Constant Cartwright.”

Casey looked surprised. “How? They were sealed when I left the agency!”

“I wonder,” said April, and she chuckled. “As to your state of being, you’ve had a soul of your own for at least the last five years, that I’m aware of. It feels like it wandered in from the nightmare, but I can’t be sure.”

“I have a demon soul?” asked Casey.

April held Casey’s hands. “Demons are entities of myth and legend. Whatever lifeforce is powering you, your actions tell the story of a hero, not a villain.”

Casey clipped her vest into place and stood a moment in silence. “But what does that make me?”

“My captain,” said Mike,

“Our captain,” said Shona.

Torsha crossed her arms. “My captain, also?”

“It makes you Casey.” Malmoradan’s expression softened. “It makes you my friend, but no more lying! And it’s going to be a few days before I know exactly how I feel about all this.”

“Thank you,” said Casey, and she hugged Malmoradan close. “Thank you, all of you.”

“I hate to disrupt the mood,” said Mike. “But where’s Nimbus?”

Chapter 38

Waking Nightmare

“You misunderstand my intent,” said Ellylle. “You and I are allies! That hasn’t changed. Your friends are important to you, and you’ll need their help in the days ahead. More importantly, they’re loyal to you, which makes them easy to control.”

“That’s tyranny, not friendship,” said Orin.

Ellylle sneered. “Don’t be naïve.”

“Tell me where they are!”

Her leaves rustled as her vines and branches formed a circular bower around her trunk. “They’re in one of these.” She briefly revealed the world seed nestled deep within her heart. “It’s germinating somewhere nearby, and it’s the only way your friends’ safety is guaranteed while Earth is resurrected.”

“While Earth is resurrected? What does that mean?” asked Orin.

“Imagine a world without industry, without chemical refineries, without poisoned air or water,” said Ellylle. “Now imagine the mix of horror and wonder on the faces of everyone watching as this event unfolds—every building pulled under, every vehicle consumed, every road broken apart and devoured!”

Orin stared at her, appalled. “There are billions still in shelters. What happens to them?”

“They’ll be fine. My seeds cannot harm the living,” said Ellylle.

“How many will die when their shelters vanish—when they’re cast down into God-knows-what? And what about everyone that’s physically vulnerable?” asked Orin. “Will your seed provide for them?”

“In my world, when something begins to wilt, it gets pruned for the sake of the whole,” said Ellylle. “Perhaps you can take comfort in seeing things through my eyes during this transformation.”

“I won’t let you do this.”

“How will you stop me?” Her blooms turned orange as she regarded him curiously. “You’re holding back. Why are you holding back?”

“I want you to see reason,” said Orin.

Her face creaked and cracked. “Perhaps, but there’s another reason too, isn’t there? What are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything! If you have the power to reset an entire planet, then you must have the power to ignore the shelters,” said Orin. “That’s all I’m asking! If you really want me to work with you, that’s how you’ll convince me.”

“An intriguing challenge,” said Ellylle.

“And no more sleep spores!” said Orin.

Ellylle nodded, and her blooms shifted to pastel blue. “That was necessary to keep you safe. If you’d attacked the Caretakers, you would never have survived their wrath.” Her vines grew into her trunk, surrounding Earth’s world seed. “Why don’t you lie