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

“Indeed, you do,” said Persephone. “It may seem unfortunate from your point of view, but I’m not here to help you escape or to face your foes.”

Ellylle scowled. “You’re being cryptic.”

Persephone smiled cordially. “I’m here to offer you the chance to start anew, away from all the hate and fury that has consumed you.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Ellylle. “You know what? Forget it! If you won’t help me, then just leave!”

“I can’t do that,” said Persephone.

“Yes, you can,” said Ellylle. “It’s easy. Just go back through the door you made.”

“True, but that would upset my employers. You see, I now represent another party.” Hands upturned, Persephone reached out and extracted a tiny, glowing sapling from deep within Ellylle. “They’re looking forward to meeting you, and I’d hate to keep them waiting.” She beckoned the ghostly sprout to follow, and they both vanished into the light.

The flow of time returned. Where she had been standing, Ellylle’s body cracked and splintered, littering the ground with her desiccated remains.

“Whit just happened?” asked Zella.

“Looks like she up and died,” said Reggie.

Lomomu hurried down the ramp and gathered dried pieces of wood. He cast a beaming smile toward Zella and Reggie. “I think you’re right!”

“Campfire, anyone?” asked Zella. “S’mores?”

Chapter 39

Where the Rivers Flow

Working with Earth’s governments, Eridani guided the spheres to land in dozens of vast wilderness expanses located across the globe. As the vessels touched down, their lower hemispheres reconfigured to form concentric rings radiating out from their upper halves. As soon as each sphere had settled completely, its numerical identifier turned gray on the Porrima menu, marked as delivered.

After the last vessel landed, bright white fissures opened at the spheres’ equators. From inside each, cheerful tones slowly reached their crescendo, mixed with the sounds of rain and waterfalls, carried upon the air across the entire planet. News airships circled the landing zones, and the world watched as the first of the occupants emerged.

Somewhere in southern Egypt, Hector set foot on the Saharan sands. Squinting, covering his eyes, he took stock of the first responders that surrounded the site. “What the hell happened?” he muttered, and he glanced down at his lower body. “I really do have my legs back. It wasn’t a dream.”

“I’m exactly the same,” said Rusty, and he approached Hector from behind.

Hector raised his brow. “I should hope so. You’re one of the few I never worked on.”

Directly ahead of them, cool mist flowed from the eaves of the rings. Pitch black doorways offered shady rooms, furnished with simple chairs and bedrolls. On the far side of each abode, a door offered passage into a covered walkway.

“What’s all this?” asked Apple.

“Something good,” said Hector.

“Somebody call the skyman,” said Rusty.

Apple, Hector, and Rusty crossed the short distance to the first ring and cautiously explored the residence. Hundreds more gathered near the sphere’s doorway amidst cries of astonishment as they marveled at the healing they had received. They made room for the skyman as he crossed the deck and paused at the threshold. Breathing deeply, he shielded his eyes and approached the team of medics headed their way.

◆◆◆

“It’s been a few days, and there’s no sign of Ellylle,” said Edison. “Is she really gone?” Aboard Imperium’s command deck, he sat before the scanning station, intently studying the battle reports. “Need I remind everyone that she can burrow. It’s possible she found a way to escape detection.”

“No, she’s gone,” said Orin. “I can feel it.”

Edison gave him a relieved look. “Thank God.”

“Is she deceased?” asked Katsinki. He maintained his human form.

“Not exactly.” Orin shook his head. “It’s hard to explain.”

Katsinki nodded. “I am patient.”

Casey watched the viewscreen as it displayed dozens of news feeds. “I don’t envy those poor saps from Old Siberian. I can’t even imagine the hell Ellylle put them through. Imagine reliving those moments over and over for every major network in the galaxy.”

“I hope they’re getting paid for it,” said Grostonk.

“They’ll be fine,” said Gretchen. “Studios are already bidding for exclusive right to their story.”

◆◆◆

On Imperium’s main mess deck, Torsha sat down across from Eleski. Engrossed in her datapad, Eleski remained in her true form, wearing a look of wonder. “What are you watching?” asked Torsha.

“It is amazing,” said Eleski, and she rose from the bench. Unhurried, she rounded the table and sat next to Torsha. “Behold!”

“Yuck,” said Torsha. “The Science Channel? That stuff’s all sensationalized, you know. It’s the only way they can get people to watch all those boring shows.”

“Their shows are not boring,” said Eleski. “I hereby challenge you to watch just one episode of Gearworx Gladiators. If you are not hooked, I will consume my headwear.”

“You don’t have any headwear.” Torsha narrowed her eyes. “Anyway, what am I looking at?”

“These are the refugees from the spheres,” said Eleski.

“Why are they being featured on the Science Channel?”

“According to their polls, more than fifty percent of the refugees had been amputees of one kind or another,” said Eleski. “During their time within the spheres, they have been completely healed! The medical experts they have interviewed are confounded.”

“Doctors grow and graft replacement limbs all the time,” said Torsha. “It’s expensive, not miraculous. What’s the big deal?”

Eleski beamed. “You do not understand. Their bodies spontaneously regenerated!”

Torsha shrugged. “Caretaker science is so advanced it looks like magic to us.”

“Clearly, but it is the first time in recorded history that they have healed any member of an outside race! We could learn so much from this one act, alone. Think of the possibilities!” She studied Torsha’s expression. “That does not excite you?”

“Tell me how we’re supposed to reverse engineer spontaneous regeneration, and I’ll hire a DJ,” said Torsha. “I appreciate your optimism, though. It’s refreshing.”

Eleski’s smile persisted. “I retain hope. We must wait and see.”

At that moment, Eridani stepped through the far doorway, carrying a weighty, paper-wrapped parcel against her chest. She scanned the tables and spotted Eleski as she waved to her. Taking a deep breath, Eridani hurried across the deck, nodding