Chapter 26

Judgement

Slowly, the world shifted back into focus. The deafening thrum of her heartbeat was loud in her ears and the worshipper perceived breathless, ragged sobbing. Terror paralysed her until a spark of realisation leapt, beckoned her out of feral bewilderment. Oh, Mother! It's over…

Aimless gaze wandering, Kala took in the gloomy surroundings and the ghastly scene that unfolded before her eyes. Rees. Like an anchor, the name dragged her out of her stupor. Sprawled on the floor, dark blood reflected the light from his coat; his eyes were closed. No. No, no, no…

Rees! Legs refusing to work properly, her arms trembled with adrenaline as she dragged her failing body across the endless strip of floor that separated them. Splinters, jagged as saws, cut into her hands and knees, but regardless, she dragged herself through the gore and debris, focussed solely on Rees. He will be all right, won't he? Oh, please! He can't be dead, he can't be!

Fumbling across the floor, she inched forward, like someone caught in the desert, craving water, every movement possibly the last one. In a pool of blood by the wayside, a dark shape huddled on the ground, the fallen form of the Commander. A sidelong glance at his limp body told her all she needed to know – he would no longer pose a threat. No one, not even a Wraith, could have his throat slit like that and manage to live. Later, she would have time to feel relief. Later, but not now.

"Rees? Can you hear me?" Her own voice startled her, hoarse and unnaturally loud. His chest rose and fell shallow and his eyelids moved. He lives! Pushing one hand carefully underneath his head, she tried to lift him to ease his breathing.

He took a shuddering breath and pushed himself upwards with a strained groan. Tangled and filthy, his long mane covered his face like a shaggy curtain as he crouched on the ground and Kala spoke to him softly. "Wait, don't strain yourself. Easy now."

"Kala…" He looked up at her through bloodshot eyes, with a weak smile tugging at his lips but then an unhealthy cough shook him. It rattled, had a distinctive wet tone. Cold fear froze the blood in her veins. How grave were his injuries? Ah, come on – he's a Wraith, he'll heal. We got through the worst part of it alive and now he'll heal. He will… won't he?

Grabbing his arm firmly with both hands, she tried to steady him, and only then did he move. She helped him settle against the wall, and when she was sure, he wouldn't slide down, Kala examined his wounds. The few cuts and bruises on his face and neck healed even as she watched – but they were supposed to heal much faster, weren't they?

With sudden terror, she gaped at her hands, dripping with dark blood from where she'd touched him. Hastily examining him closer, she found a large patch of his coat soaked with blood, barely visible on the black leather. A panicked search found the source – a vicious gash in his side that still lost a steady stream of blood. I need to stop it before he gets too weak, she thought, mind buzzing with effort to remember everything she knew about treating wounds – she had no idea if his physiology would respond like a human's but she had to try! The most important part is to stop the bleeding, stop the bleeding!

As she reached for the zipper of his coat, a low growl stopped her. Glazed cat eyes stared at her defiantly when she looked up. His growl drowned in another sickening cough and he told her with a weak voice, "What do you think you can do? A human can't help me, and no Wraith will. No one knows we are here." Another cough shook his body and Kala did her best to keep him from collapsing. "At least I got to see you one last time."

Oh, that's typical male. Why won't they ever be reasonable about their wounds and let themselves be treated? "Don't give me that 'I'm a badass Wraith' attitude," she chided him gently.

The zipper opened and she pushed his shirt up, and finally saw the gash. It was almost closed but the healing process seemed to have stopped midway through. Time was running out, slipping through her fingers like the damn constant trickle of blood.

The decision was made the moment he fell, she realised, with her heart dropping as she considered the only option.

Closing her fingers around his, she lifted his hand to her face. It felt weak - so pitifully weak – as she unfolded his palm with a gentle squeeze of her thumb, exposing the gaping maw of his handmouth. A single tear ran down her cheek as she kissed it, her lips brushed against the puckered edge, and his feeble gasp rang in her ears.

His eyes met hers, gazed up beneath heavy lids. "You must not," he mumbled, barely audible.

"I know," she said softly, her mouth still close to his palm.

"I might drink too deeply, you might not survive… It is too risky -"

"An appropriate end to a risky day," she interrupted his objections, speaking firmly to cover her worry. She knew he was right. He had never fed on her in earnest, not giving back what he took. Most humans would not survive even a partial feeding for long; she'd seen this terrifying truth. So much could go wrong…

But he had risked his life to save her, how could she not do the same for him? Before he had time to object further, she pressed his hand to her heart and felt his claws spread on her chest. As she had counted on, the touch triggered his instinct to survive and initiated the connection.

This time there wasn't even enough time to feel the terrible pain, her life was drained so fast, no time to feel anything but darkness approaching fast, so fast! Utter desperation entered her unprotected mind – not her own emotion - but it roiled in thick waves from Rees. She felt his fight for life as he struggled to keep control, was lost between obeying his instinct while he battled it with every scrap of will power.

What if he can't stop? Was all of this for nothing, will I die nonetheless? Is there a destiny no one can escape? Did waking up in that hiveship cell mean inevitably that a Wraith would be my death, sooner or later…?

A horrible groan shook her consciousness. Rees jerked his hand away from her chest with an agonised expression, as if he'd been burned, and she felt the hard pull as the feeding organ disconnected. It left a gaping wound, and she thought her heart would simply drop out of this aching hole. It didn't though. Instead, it kept pumping, strenuous and sluggish, as if her blood had turned to sludge.

Her vision was clouded with milky fog and breathing was hard labour, as though her lungs were suddenly no longer capable of sucking in enough air. A blurry shape moved before her eyes; it became the concerned face of Rees as he came closer. Warm hands cradled her sunken cheeks and his voice drifted through her clouded mind, far away, as if he called from the other side of a chasm.

"Kala! Stay awake! You must not fall asleep, do you hear me?"

She felt tired, so cold and tired. Her throat was dry and though she wanted to reply, nothing but a croak came out.

"Kala, listen to me! You will feel cold and unable to move but it will pass, just remain strong. I know you can. Just don't give up, stay awake! It will soon be over. I will restore you!"

She drifted underwater, every noise, every colour subdued, desaturated and blurry, and her limbs felt like lead. Two arms pushed themselves underneath her body as Rees gathered her to his chest. He trembled with effort as he hauled himself upright.

"I will take you to your friends, you will be safe there to wait for me."

Kala shifted in and out of darkness while she was carried through the ship's endless corridors. They were bustling with people, movement was everywhere, All the while, Rees talked to her softly, trying to keep her awake, no doubt. But staying awake became more and more difficult…

oOo

Exhausted, Rees knew carrying her depleted his strength, but there were no other options. Even if he asked, none of his brothers would come to his aid. Nobody would risk losing precious energy in this menacing situation with battle lurking behind every corner – least of all for a human.

Rees wanted to get her to safety as fast as possible, so he could be on his way to the supply chamber. Replenishing his and Kala's energy was all that mattered. Enough time to sort out what had happened to the hive afterwards.

He could feel her slipping away, right through his fingers. Not her body that lay pitiful and limp against his chest, but her spirit. She was dozing again and he grew desperate. He'd only taken as much as he dared, not nearly enough, just what he needed. Already he felt his muscles weaken and drain.

He ignored the people passing him in a hurry left and right. Flashes of confusion hit his unprotected mind, but he knew the chance of learning anything useful was slim. The telepathic atmosphere was threaded with aggression, shooting in red, hot streaks through the overall mess and confusion. Apparently the fight still raged in parts of the ship. In his weakened state intervention would be stupid, and he could not take the risk, not with Kala's life at stake.

All around, humans hurried towards a common destination. The worshippers' quarters – the only place where they could weather this fight that wasn't theirs. Better not get in the way, better go to their own kind for support, they'd realised. They were talking, whispering and shrugging to each other, clearly as confused as their masters.

Curious and concerned glances were shot at Rees as he entered the main hall. A huddle of servants in a corner stood gaping at him. A Wraith carrying a human to safety – this was a sight to remember!

"You." He fixed a young man with his stare. "Fetch me your mistress. Now!"

The round-eyed boy dropped into a quick bow and sped away, glancing behind at Rees. His companions remained rooted to the spot, still speechless.

"Oi! Make room, you sissies, let me through!" A female pushed the youths away while making ruthless use of her elbows. A closer look told him he'd seen her before. Kala's friend, what's her name?

"Kala!" the worshipper exclaimed and bent over her friend, completely ignoring him. At any other time, this lack of respect would have annoyed him. She was obviously deeply troubled by Kala's appearance, and he couldn't blame her – it was indeed alarming! Though still recognisable, Kala looked like a woman of eighty years or more, her face wrinkled and sunken. Her silky dark hair was deprived of its healthy gleam, its colour drained and white like his own.

Deep furrows showed on her friend's forehead as the woman took Kala's hand. When she felt her friend's touch, Kala opened milky eyes, tried to focus. "Sarali," she whispered and drifted off instantly.

"No, don't go, stay with me, Kala!" Only now did Sarali look up, straight at Rees. "What has happened? Have you done this to her? Or was it some other green bastard? Ah, it doesn't matter! I knew it – knew it right from the start, you Wraith are lying swine, all of you!" Fear and wild defiance flickered in her eyes, and her face distorted to a mask of hatred. She must keep a level head at all cost – The last thing I need now is an overreacting worshipper!

"Get a grip on yourself, woman, or you will regret it. I will restore her but she needs your help now!" He snarled loudly and advanced on her, baring all his sharp teeth in a grimace of fury. She jumped at that and retreated a step, stared at him in shock. Satisfied with her reaction, Rees lowered his voice. "Take me to a safe place where I can lay her down."

Sarali nodded fervently in response and shook herself. "Of course… Silly, I could've thought of that myself." Turning around, she held a door open for him. "This way." It lead into a small infirmary that held a handful of beds and a disgruntled-looking nurse. Currently, she was treating the hand of a man who had cut himself with a knife by the looks of it. As she saw the Wraith enter, the nervous woman nearly dropped her bandages.

Laying his precious burden down on a mattress, Rees straightened, relieved to be free of the additional weight. At once, Sarali bustled about to cover Kala with a blanket and got a pillow which she carefully placed underneath her friend's head.

Sighing, Kala blinked and looked around. "Rees…" she mumbled.

"I'm here," he assured her and sat down on the edge of the bed, took her slim, wrinkled hand and squeezed it softly. Sudden dizziness made the room swim before his eyes and Rees placed a hand on the wall to steady himself. The feeling passed but he knew it would return, soon, and with force.

"You don't look like the picture of health either," Sarali observed drily. "What the heck has happened to you both?" she asked.

"I need to go now," Rees began, the question Sarali asked rhetorical, and therefore of little importance, and got up. Before she could object, he held up his hand. "But I will return as soon as possible, and I will restore Kala's life."

At that moment, Tarna rushed through the door, with her eyes darting to and fro until she fixed on the small group. "There you are! I was wondering whether Ryan was pulling my leg when he told me a Wraith carrying a human had entered." Quickly she came over and nodded her respect to Rees. With swift, experienced movements she examined Kala's eyes and vital signs.

"Go," she said without taking her eyes off Kala. "I have her, don't worry. I've seen worse." To the nurse who had dutifully come over to see if her help was needed, Tarna said, "Fetch me hot water bottles, we need to ward off the cold to help save her drained energy levels. Her temperature is falling, hurry up!" The nurse gave up her hovering stance and kicked into action.

Indecisive, Sarali looked from one to the other, obviously coming to the conclusion that she should make herself useful. "I'll help you!" she hollered after the nurse and sped away.

Tarna turned to look Rees in the eyes. "I can stabilise her until you return, but don't waste time. Go, and remember your oath. She deserves to live."

For an instant, white hot rage flashed through the dizziness. How dare she remind him of his responsibilities! The spark of anger was just enough to make him straighten up and glare at the small Mistress of Worshippers. Unwavering, she held his gaze with iron determination and he realised this short human would do everything within her powers to keep Kala safe – and that was all that mattered.

"Your master always spoke highly of you," he said, letting the words sink in and seeing the glint in Tarna's eyes as memory hit home. "He trusted you with his life and never regretted taking the Oath. I entrust you now with the life of my lover and I know you will not disappoint me."

Swallowing visibly, Tarna nodded, a curt, precise movement; her eyes were suddenly shimmering with emotion as she briskly turned back to Kala. With the comforting knowledge that his love would be safe here, Rees left the worshippers' quarters.

o.O.o

"Two?" He remembered the frown, the telepathic confusion of the supply keeper.

"Yes, two. I need to care for a wounded brother," Rees had confirmed his order. His own weak appearance and the genuine concern in his mind convinced the keeper. The older blade had felt the turmoil on the ship, of course, so Rees' request was reasonable to him.

"What has happened?" The man with a mind like dry desert sand was anxious to hear any snippets of news he could get, however tiny, yet Rees could offer him none. At least panic subsided – a few moments ago, the Queen's presence had returned to the hive's mind, and relief rippled through the troubled mass of emotions.

Dune led him to the cocoons and he greedily drank the life of two healthy, young humans. A man and a woman, that was all he registered. He could not afford to look at them too closely. Deep down he knew, Kala would not approve being given someone else's life but what choice did he have? Time to deal with that later when she was safely revived.

Now he was on his way back to Kala, brimming with energy and anxiety. A tingling sensation in his handmouth made him flex his hand in anticipation. Soon, not long now…

"Halt!" A harsh voice, spoken both aloud and in his mind, made him freeze. There was no doubt, he was being addressed and for a moment his heart stopped. Chill crept up his spine as he slowly turned around to face his opponent. It took only seconds to identify him and Rees' shoulders sagged in relief as he recognised the bright, warm touch of the other's mind. Goldfire, one of the Queen's favourites, faced him, accompanied by five drones.

Whatever you want, just don't get me involved in some time-consuming task right now, please. Confidently, Rees nodded to Goldfire. "The Queen is well, I hope?"

At the mentioning of her, Goldfire's mouth set in a grim line, and for a moment, Rees feared she might be hurt. But it was something else entirely.

"She is well. And very upset. I have never seen her in such state before." Before Rees could say anything in response, Goldfire continued, "She wants to see you. Now."

Rees swallowed hard. No, not now of all times! "Would you grant me five minutes? I will go to her, I just need to check on –"

"She inists that I bring you immediately", the other blade interrupted. "I am sorry," Goldfire added in the quiet of their minds, a taste of regret in his telepathic voice. "Normally I would let you go and do whatever needs to be done without question, but not this time, old friend."

No, not when I have nearly reached her! So near and yet so far! An image of Kala lying in the infirmary bed flashed across his mind, and Rees made an instinctive step backwards. But the drones were raising their stun rifles, and he could hear heavy footsteps from behind. Another couple of drones approached from the other side of the corridor to surround him. For a crazy second he considered fighting but just in time he remembered these Wraith were not his enemies.

Sighing heavily, he stood with his hands down, palms facing outwards in the universal Wraith gesture of surrender.

oOo

When he entered the throne room a wave of distrust and anger hit him with almost physical force. The Queen paced like a caged animal, back and forth, back and forth. Crimson stains on her dress oddly complimented her dark, red hair in a twisted irony of style. Creek, the young cleverman, hovered next to the throne, hands fidgeting, obviously out of his depth.

Behind Rees, Goldfire stood frozen, mind shut tight, not giving away anything. The one telepathic presence in this room that outshone everyone else was that of his mother, Queen Storm of the lineage of Osprey.

Jade eyes narrowed on him underneath long lashes as she advanced on him. "You." Neither a hiss nor scream yet it distilled fathomless anger, distrust, disappointment and regret into one syllable. "You have endangered the hive. You knew of this scheme, yet you did not come to me in proper time -"

"My Queen," he interjected but she cut through his words with an impatient wave of her hand.

"I am not finished yet," she proclaimed in icy tones. The feel of her mind registered somewhere close to absolute zero. "You have disappointed me in the most serious manner. You should have come to me directly, instead you sent this inexperienced, uninvolved man."

Creek gave a start at the mention of his person. His features showed clearly that he craved to be somewhere – anywhere – else but here. The Queen turned to the insecure young man. "You did well, cleverman, and you will be rewarded." Belatedly, he sprang into action and gave a shaky bow.

Rees used the pause to speak up. "My Queen, there were difficulties, obstacles that could not be circumvented." She spun around and glowered at him. 'How dare he speak' implicit from her stance! But he would not be intimidated, not this time when so much was at stake! "I will explain, if I may. I was hunted by the traitor! His men were everywhere. By the time I could have reached you, it would have been too late, so I sent someone inconspicuous who could get to you without being intercepted." Rees had her full attention, and she did not interrupt this time. "Although I had observed the traitor and suspected him for a long time, the true nature of his plans were not clear. Not until today... and by then, it was almost too late."

Her face betrayed nothing as she listened. When he finished, she took a deep breath. "I know you have served the hive well in the past, and I was willing to think the best of you. But you have not told me everything, you kept important information to yourself, and that will not do."

What is she playing at? Does she know of Kala? Did someone track me? Rees dared not to look at her but pointedly stared at the ground. His mind raced and he fought the urge to clench his fists.

"You did not tell me what kept you from contacting me directly," the Queen mused as she drew closer. "Reliable sources informed me that you were seen heading towards the worshippers' quarters in the midst of the battle. And you were not alone." Her unyielding mind held him in a firm grip, and suddenly he felt a sharp burst of pain as she emitted pressure. "I would rather not have to do this but you leave me no choice… Kneel!"

The last word echoed in his head, each ripple tearing at the fabric of his consciousness, and he dropped to his knees. The decision to do so never even reached his brain – the urge to drop was ingrained in his very substance, for disobedience meant unbearable torment, and, ultimately, death.

At the nod of the Queen, the doors of the chamber opened and in came two drones, dragging a limp figure between them. Horror filled Rees's veins like lead and time slowed down – Kala!

"Instead of joining our forces to fight the enemy, you went chasing after your pet." Still her voice was deceivingly calm, but he knew it was only a matter of time before the tides turned. Sweat formed on his forehead and his palms, made his hands slippery. If only he could think clearly! Think! Think fast! Steel-cold fingers grabbed his chin and jerked his head upwards. "Look!" she exclaimed. "Look closely and tell me, is this your human? The one my man saw you carrying to the worshippers' quarters?"

The room and its inhabitants dropped away, reduced to insignificance. All that existed in his world now was the pitiful creature, hanging like a rag doll between the fleshy arms of the drones. Without a doubt it was Kala, her head rolled from one side to the other as she struggled to gain consciousness. A spark of recognition flared in her dull eyes and her dry lips moved, as if to call his name. Needles of hot pain seared his heart at the sight and he bared his teeth in silent anguish. No! No, not now… Not when he have come so far!

Throat parched, his mind a tangled mess, he couldn't find words. Blurry, he was aware of the Queen's presence in his head. She probed his mind but only found incoherent horror and pain – it was all the confirmation she needed. Goldfire had the decency to look ahead, he fixed a point just above the throne, pretended he did not care.

"You know the law; the price you have to pay for this kind of misled affection. Your failure is doubly grave in this situation as the security of the hive was your responsibility." The Queen's fingers withdrew from his face yet he could still feel the heat where her claws had rested; it burned into his flesh. "Do you not agree with me?" "An answer is required, son!"

"Yes, my Queen." His voice broke. It took all his willpower to not crumple to the floor at her feet, to not wail and beg for Kala's life. He was reduced to the little boy he once was under the stone-hard gaze of his mother. But five thousand years of training and experience told him relentlessly that breaking down was not an option – not ever in front of a Queen and her court.

Instead he locked his eyes on hers, willed her to understand without words that he was ready to take the punishment – any punishment! – if only she spared Kala's life. And for the fraction of a second he saw uncertainty flicker in the jade depths, but it was only a fleeting speck of hope in his life's vast abyss of misery. Regret touched his mind and sadness tinged her telepathic voice. "You know I cannot do that."

Before he could react, before he could so much as utter a cry, she whirled around with inhuman speed and brought her feeding hand down on Kala's chest, the force of the impact nearly ripping the human arms out of the drones' grasp.

All he could do was watch in transfixed horror as her body shrivelled up to a dried husk, with just the barest of noises, a weak gasp. A process he'd witnessed so often, he'd never thought it could touch him. But this was the woman he loved, her soul no longer in that body, the beloved face a cruel parody of her once luminous beauty. It felt as if the Queen had sucked the life out of his own chest, and no amount of training or experience could prevent him from slumping forward, dropping down hard on the floor and roaring in agony.

"Take this away," her cold voice ordered. Indifferent, as if she sent the drones to dispatch of a disgusting heap of rubbish on the floor. Then she turned to Goldfire and Creek. "You may leave and go back to your duties."

In a detached way, Rees registered that people were leaving the room and doors were closing. But what difference did it make? What difference did anything make? Despair and loneliness filled his being, cast him into eternal darkness. And nothing would ever change that.

"Get up, the witnesses have left." There was that cold voice again. It was giving an order but he would not move. What for? What was there left that was worth moving?

"Get up. You are making a fool of yourself over that human and I will not tolerate it any longer." A hand touched him, not cold as he expected but gentle and the pressure on his mind was gone. It didn't matter to him. All that was left of the proud blade he'd been, was an empty hull. He got up and looked into the Queen's face; he wanted to hate that face, wanted to feel something – anything – but his soul remained hollow and bleak.

She looked back at him with sorrowful eyes. "It would have been my duty to kill you both, but as you have always served the hive well before, you are allowed to live."

"And what good will that do? You might as well have killed me too, it would have been mercy." He didn't recognise his own voice, it was flat, deprived of all emotion.

Her mind closed at that remark, became impenetrable as a solid wall. All sympathy disappeared from her voice. "You are allowed to live, but you will leave the hive within the hour. A transport will be prepared for you. Leave, and do not ever come back." "I am sorry, my son but there is no other way."

Accepting the order, Rees pulled the remnants of his heart together. A transport. A way to escape. Newfound resolve filled him up. On board, I will set the last course I'll ever fly. Into the heart of a star where blissful obliteration will welcome me. Without another glance at the woman who was his mother, he left.

o.O.o

Kala woke up with a shock. A flaming shot of energy jolted her upright and she gasped for air like a surfacing diver breaking through waves. The sensation of life was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. A storm raging through her body, thunderous and sparkling with lightning, setting her nerves on fire. Life was given back to her!

Instantly she remembered all that happened and a flood of images poured into her mind. Of Rees, his skin on hers, the commander hunting her, shifting shadows in the dark, the storeroom, the fight … And pain, tremendous pain – it was too much to bear and she wanted the images to stop!

Strong, clawed fingers on her chest began to move, dug into her flesh and a voice rang in her head, issuing an order that allowed no defiance. "Show me more!"

From the moment she woke up, she'd known this wasn't Rees – she would have recognised his soothing mental presence. This Wraith was far from soothing, the presence was harsh and unyielding with dangerous torrents of raw energy, like a thunder storm in Kala's mind. It's the Queen! she realised as the presence continued drawing images from her memory.

Eventually, the fog in her vision lifted and her eyes came back into focus, and now she could see the face of her torturer-saviour in the gloom. The Queen's eyes were intent on her, the slit pupils unfamiliar and dilated, like windows into outer space, into a darkness so black not even stars could survive in it. Hair the colour of blood framed her face in intricately braided strands. "I want to know everything you have seen!", the alien woman hissed.

From this predatory mind there was no protection. Kala's every thought was ripped from her until she felt naked and exposed. For what felt like hours, the Queen lingered on seemingly unimportant details. Small things, like the way she remembered Rees's breath on her skin. Why? she wondered. Why would a Wraith Queen be interested in the way a human felt for one of her crew?

Finally, the Queen turned away and withdrew her hand from Kala's chest. Deep gasps brought fresh air to fill her lungs. Shakily, she got into a sitting position and observed the Wraith woman warily. The Queen, however, had moved away and looked at the wall, lost in thought it seemed.

After making sure her legs would support her, Kala got up, reached behind her to find solace in the firm surface of the uneven wall at her back. She was alone with the Wraith so she decided to speak.

"Thank you for restoring me… I guess," she stuttered. Upon being addressed, the Queen turned back to Kala, slowly, as if surprised that a human would dare to speak to her. I have her attention, no turning back now. "I would like to ask a question if I may."

The Queen's eyes were unreadable, her expression set in what looked like cultivated boredom.

Encouraged she wasn't attacked, Kala continued, "Now that you have restored me, what is going to happen with me? And where is my master? … Did he survive?" She felt cold and alone as she waited for an answer.

The Wraith tipped her head to one side and approached in slow, measured steps. "My son is alive," she began and a thousand wheels spun into life in Kala's head, clicking and whirring as her thoughts picked up speed. Her son? Kala intently watched the Queen who began to pace. "Because of you he is in trouble. You brought doom over him by trapping him in silly emotions, luring him to betraying his own kind."

Eyes the colour of jade, and equally hard, narrowed on Kala. In a low voice, barely audible, she continued, looking thoughtful, "I truly hope you are worthy. Listen closely, human." She raised her hand, feeding maw open – a threat if Kala had ever seen one. "If you ever let him down, I will personally hunt you. Even if I have to search the whole galaxy, and I will finish what I began in the throne room, slowly and painfully. You will live up to the Oath you gave and will loyally remain at his side until he chooses otherwise, do I make myself clear?"

Clear as ice. Kala nodded, unable to talk because of a cold lump in her throat. The Queen stared at her, letting it all sink in. She is concerned. She really is concerned about his well-being… Her son. Kala had no idea what blood relationships – family ties – meant to a Wraith, but from the way this woman spoke to her, they meant a lot.

"Stay out of sight," the Wraith ordered. "You will know when to reveal yourself." Without another glance, the Queen left and the door closed behind her.

For the first time, Kala sighed in relief. Safe. for the moment, at least. Stay out of sight… How am I going to do that? Letting her gaze wander over her surroundings, she realised what she had mistaken for a cell was actually some sort of spacecraft. In an adjacent room she discovered a cockpit, its viewscreen empty and instruments dormant. It was a small vehicle, apparently built to hold a crew of four or five. A scout ship perhaps? A closer inspection showed two narrow beds in a tiny alcove and a storage room holding four cocoons – fortunately empty!

Footsteps! With a shock, she spun around. Stay out of sight, she'd said. Hurriedly, Kala jumped into the sleeping chamber and pressed herself into the dark niche, wanted to melt into the wall.

She tried to count the people heading towards the ship but there were too many pairs of feet. Thus, thud, thud. The heavy stomp of bulky drones, not bred for stealth and grace. Among the stomping, she heard the lighter patter of someone else, an officer or two? Or maybe the Queen was returning? Oh, how she wished she could peek around the corner!

The heavy steps stopped outside the ship and the lighter steps proceeded inside, halted just outside her door. From behind her hiding place, Kala could see long, white hair swishing – someone was turning around. Rees? Her heart beat furiously as she stood, waited for an eternity, it seemed. A clear voice rang through the ship, startling her with its rich, multi-toned intensity.

"You know, I really do not want to do this. You have been a reliable blade to this hive, and moreover, I have considered you a good friend. I am truly sorry but now is the time for you to leave." A pause that rang louder in Kala's ears than the spoken words, then, the unknown officer continued in low tones. "Be safe, perhaps we will meet again some day. The galaxy is vast, and there are many hives."

Kala didn't dare breathing as she feverishly hoped for an answer, wished her mere willpower would urge the hitherto unknown Wraith to speak. Her thoughts raced like wild horses inside her head. This vessel was meant to take off, with herself and the stranger on board… It had to be Rees, didn't it? Who else could it be? Speak, let me hear your voice, please!

Silence, for a long while. A telepathic exchange maybe? Then, one set of footsteps walked out of the ship. A hissing noise followed, that was the pressure door closing. Kala forced herself to count to ten under her breath. Too early, stay put for another moment! Stay hidden, you will know when to come out.

Suddenly, she was shaking on her feet. A low rumble crept up from the floor as the ship was coming alive all around her, with the thrum of whatever heart was pulsing in its belly. Steadying herself against the doorframe, she risked a quick glance – the room outside was empty. Rees must have gone to the cockpit.

Inch by slow inch, she crept along the walls, anxious to avoid any windows; if they were still inside the hive, no one must see her! The rumbling got stronger and the engine's tone pitched up. We're flying! We're leaving the hive!

But why wasn't he calling for her? Was he still waiting to get to a safe distance first? What if it wasn't Rees? What if the Queen was playing a cruel trick on her? For getting her son into trouble?

The lighting inside the ship changed from light to dark and light again as reflections filtered in through the small windows mirrored their course through the hive's hangars. Then, a sudden darkness. Noises became more subdued as the echoes of the confining hive walls fell behind and the small vessel shot out into the freedom of open space. Kala took this for a good sign and risked a look outside. Distant stars glittering on velvet black greeted her, and she saw the massive bulk of the hive drop away behind. For a moment its sheer overwhelming size awed her, an entire city floating peacefully in the cold vacuum of space. No wonder it's taken me months to investigate it – and I still haven't seen all of it!

She watched it disappear, half-expecting to see a squadron of darts shoot out, ready to hunt her down, but nothing happened. Now. Now is the right time…

Her hands trembled as she approached the cockpit. Stopping in the entry of the cockpit, she took a deep breath. With his back to her, Rees was at the main console, his hands on the controls. It truly was him, no mistake. His hair with its thin braids was still tangled and matted and his coat still stained from the fight. He looked unhealthy, his whole stance betrayed fatigue. His claws gripped the edge of the console, so hard his knuckles showed white underneath the skin.

A strangled noise, almost a sob, made Kala freeze in uncertainty. Something about him seemed off, unhinged, as if he was close to having a fit. He doesn't know yet. The truth dawned on her. The Queen hasn't told him… Oh, Mother, he thinks, I'm dead.

"Rees?"

His head came up and slowly, he turned around. Grief and desperation were clear on his features, as well as a darkness that spoke of loss far beyond human comprehension.

"Kala…" Not more than a hoarse whisper. A spark of life returned into his eyes, erased the darkness; wild hope and disbelief alternated rapidly on his face, and suddenly, he sprang into action. Faster than a human, he was at her side and she found herself sinking into his embrace as his arms closed around her with force. And she clung to his neck, burying her face in his hair and inhaling his scent, and even though the smell of sweat and blood stung in her nose, it was a divine experience. As she pressed herself against his reassuring, solid body, she sent a silent prayer of gratitude to the Mother. She felt him stir in her embrace and looked up into his concerned face.

"I thought I had lost you…" he whispered.

Gently tracing his features with her fingertips, she replied. "I'm here and I won't leave you. Not ever. I love you."

Tears streamed down her face unhindered, a broken dam, and all her pent-up fear and anger swept away by an unstoppable flood, purged from her soul until only blissful relief was left.

o.O.o

Her eyes were still fixed on the viewport long after the scout ship disappeared from sight and only a blinking dot on the sensor screen betrayed its presence. Goldfire stood quietly at her side, a soothing shadow on whom she could rely. He, of all, would feel the loss, would glimpse her pain. She knew he was losing a dear friend with every parsec. It was hard to see her son go like this – harder than she could ever have imagined. Exiled, an outcast, condemned to lead a lone life without the comforting touch of his hive's mind. What have I done? Could I have acted otherwise? Are we so bound by traditions that we cannot value the worth of love any more?

It did not happen often but right now she loathed leadership, to be in charge. To make decisions that were not right, decisions that hurt those she loved and would haunt her for the rest of her life. Exiling her own son…

At least, she'd made sure he wasn't alone. It had taken a lot of experience and skill to feign the human's death; to find the thin line that separated light from darkness, and to keep the light from slipping over the edge… What she had seen in the woman's mind was enough to convince her it had been worth the effort. The only thing left now was the hope her life would last for a couple of centuries.

May he find her presence to be a comfort at all times. He's so very much like his father. When was the last time, I told my son how much I valued him? She blinked. It would not do to shed a tear in the presence of her crew.

With her back straight and her chin held high, she strode out of the room, ignoring the admiring glances from her men. To them, she was Queen and none dared question her decisions. For she held up the law and that was all that mattered, because otherwise, chaos would prevail. Wraith culture and order could only be maintained if the borders between hunter and prey were clear. These were the hard lessons she learned at her mother's knee, and that great queen in turn at her own mother's and beyond, so that Wraith could survive, be strong. But was it really the only way?

o.O.o

"What's this dot?" Kala observed the head-up display with rapt attention and seemed giddy with excitement. He smiled at her enthusiasm.

"It's a swarm of comets. Shooting stars," he added as he saw her puzzled expression.

"Comets?" she asked, interest lighting up her face.

"Small clumps of ice. They are circling this star," he explained and pointed at a bright blue dot on the screen. Obediently, the neural interface zoomed in and displayed a large, life-like image of the star, with statistics of its distance, size and energy output scrolling at the sides. "Actually, it's much more impressive when seen in real life."

With a quick touch of his mind, he deactivated the head-up display and the real starscape appeared in the viewport, undisturbed by technical data.

In silent wonder, Kala gazed at the comets and warmth spread inside him as he saw her growing smile. Expertly handling the controls, he let the ship dip and bank to the left, closer to the glittering cloud of comet trails until they were nearly brushing them. Myriads of tiny ice particles sparkled like a magical shower of blue-white fairy-dust in the sunlight.

"We used to get them once a year, in the summer, when the days were longest," she said dreamily. "Shooting stars… We called them Bringers of Autumn. Some believe a wish made to them means it will come true."

Looking at her fondly, he committed this moment to memory, to never loose it. He wanted nothing more than to make her smile. To wake every single day next to her and to see this smile first thing for the rest of his life.

He had risked everything, including his life and lost his hive, his home, his brothers. It stung and would always be an aching hole in his heart. And yet … Looking at this remarkable woman at his side, he smiled. The homeless human and the homeless Wraith, both taken from their families, littered with scars that would never heal. Yet they had each other and that was all that mattered. And now they were embarking on an adventure; the whole galaxy was their home. There were other hives, other men he could call brothers. The comets continued their endless journey through the night and Rees made a wish.

The End

Thank you for reading this story. Wraith Games took four and a half years to complete and could not have been done without your support, dear readers. I thank all of you for your patience and I hope in the end, you are not disappointed by the outcome.

Though I've been writing all my life, Wraith Games is the first story I published anywhere. Only through all the wonderful, encouraging and highly creative people I met in Wraith fandom did I find the confidence to show my work to a broad audience. Also, it is the first story I wrote in English which is not my native language. This is why the earlier chapters are quite clumsy and have erratic grammar. At this point, I cannot thank Isolde Jansma enough who betaed the later chapters and improved my writing by quantum leaps.

Rees and Kala are still very much alive in a wraithy corner of my mind and may return here some time in the future.