Destiny's Blood by Marie Bilodeau (superbooks4u txt) 📕

up the shuttle, as Josmere had taught her. Yet, everything was different without Josmere beside her, joking and laughing.

“I thought you were gone.” Jaru entered with two other crewmembers. “Well, I guess you’re not, since you’re here, but still. It’s odd that you’re here.”

The shuttle bay opened again and Avienne’s laughter collided with the stern silence of the room. Ardin mumbled something and the siblings shared a chuckle. Layela could hear them approach as she returned to Josmere’s side, and then she finally saw them from where she knelt by her friend. Ardin saw her first, his eyes growing wide for an instant as though not understanding. Then his brow furrowed and, before Layela could say anything, Avienne was rushing towards them.

“What happened to you?” Avienne asked, her wide eyes searching Josmere’s.

Josmere managed a small grin. “Getting slow in my old age.”

Avienne pulled her coat off and laid it gently on the Berganda, eyeing the wound on her stomach. Layela saw what Avienne did — a constant trickle of bubbling green blood, as though Josmere was deflating.

“You’re not really going to let a little wound like that get to you?” Avienne asked with a lift of an eyebrow. Josmere gave her a strained smile, but her reply was stolen as a spasm shook her body. A small sob escaped her lips, but when it was over, she was smiling again.

“I’d hate to miss out on the fun.”

Avienne grinned. “It’d be less fun without you.” She squeezed the Berganda’s shoulder and paused as though she wanted to say more, but remained silent. Her eyes caught Layela’s for an instant and then she stood up and walked towards the shuttles.

“I thought you were on the Victory,” Ardin said. He remained standing, observing her and Josmere.

Layela whispered a reply. “That was my sister.”

Ardin looked down at her for a moment longer, then simply nodded and knelt by Josmere.

“Let’s get you on a shuttle,” Ardin said. He lifted her easily, surprise flickering in his eyes at how light she had become.

“My hero,” Josmere whispered. She leaned her head against Ardin’s shoulder, too tired to hold herself up. “I like this one, Layela.” She ended with a slight grin, eyes closed tightly.

“I’m not leaving her side,” Layela heard Zortan say. She squeezed Josmere’s hand and left her in Ardin’s care.

“There’s only enough air for three in each shuttle, and only three shuttles are left,” Cailan said, turning to Jaru. “And why are you still here? Go now, or I will blow you out an airlock!”

Jaru nodded and began turning before taking a pause and facing him, his hand coming up to his forehead in salute. “It’s been an honour, Captain.”

He turned and dragged the other two crewmen to the shuttle before Cailan could respond, but he whispered loud enough for them to hear, “The honour was all mine.”

Layela thought they stood straighter as the shuttle doors closed, and then the small ship was rolled to the exit bay. They were gone.

“Avienne and Ardin are the only two who can fly these shuttles,” Cailan turned back to Zortan. “Unless you’re qualified in Tri-Pak shuttle flight manoeuvres. Considering these were the only ones ever created, I somehow doubt you are.”

Zortan tensed and was about to protest when a crack broke through the silence. Destiny moaned as a piece of her gave out.

Layela’s whisper carried over the moan. “I’m not leaving Josmere.”

Cailan looked at Layela and spoke gently to her. “No one would expect you to leave your friend.” He shot Zortan a pointed look.

“I can take them down to Mirial,” Ardin said as he joined them. All that Layela could see were the green flecks clinging to his shirt.

“We can join up on Mirial,” Avienne said, holding the last word captive a moment longer than necessary.

“If Mirial still exists,” Lang muttered.

“I’ll take care of her,” Ardin spoke up in the silence that followed. Zortan slowly turned to face him as Ardin continued. “I’ll take care of Layela and Josmere until we meet with you again on the planet.”

Zortan examined Ardin closely. Ardin met his gaze and straightened his spine. The two summed each other up. Layela wondered what it would take to impress Zortan, remembering his speed and inhuman ability to avoid bullets. And the sword that had cleaved the Kilita like bread.

After a time, Zortan nodded, his eyes still fixed on Ardin’s. “We must also remember that Yoma lives and she’s only safe as long as they believe her to be Layela, the only heir.”

“My sister can take care of herself,” Layela said, flushing. Her own words implied that she could not.

“Nevertheless, let us be careful.”

“See you on the planet, and…thank you for saving Josmere and me back there.”

Zortan nodded slightly. “It’s my duty.” His eyes softened. “I’m only sorry I couldn’t always be there when you needed rescuing.”

Destiny shuddered and her lights flickered. Ardin cast a look at Cailan. “You’re sure she’ll hold all the way to Mirial?”

“She’ll hold. Her hull is reinforced by ether now that we’re nearing Mirial.” Ardin hesitated, and Cailan repeated, “She’ll hold.”

Ardin nodded and turned to his sister. “Would you please at least try to stay out of trouble until we meet again?”

Avienne grinned. “I will. It’s no fun making trouble when you’re not there to witness it!”

Ardin closed the gap quickly and bear-hugged his sister, lifting her off the ground. She swore as the air was squeezed out of her. He dropped her just as suddenly.

“I’ll throw the emergency locator as soon as we land. Come find us.” He cast one more glance at Cailan and headed for the shuttle.

“Keep him out of trouble,” Avienne asked of Layela, who nodded in response.

Layela turned to go, but Zortan held her arm fast. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “There will be dangers there that even I can’t predict, but your powers will grow stronger. Believe in yourself, and you’ll be fine.”

He released her arm and walked toward the other shuttle, picking up supplies and stacking them inside.

Destiny shuddered with a