Cloud Riders(43)

You okay, sweetheart? He relayed just to her.

She nodded.

Just remember, my men and I are used to handling these situations on our own. Therefore if you find a glitch with your powers, don’t sweat it. It’s not as if we’re up against a Supernova. We have you covered, okay, honey?

‘What’s a Supernova?’

Novas form from the death of an extremely massive star generally many times heavier than our sun. The star core reaches a certain mass or density limit and then explodes and the outer crust breaks away and travelling thousands of kilometres a second, destroying anything in its path.

Her silence told him that she got it and it was just one more bit of information he knew she would store away in that astute mind of hers. He found her so very intriguing the way she processed data, never needing further discussions. It was as if the lessons learned unlocked another part of the universal knowledge already deep inside her. She did it often and it fascinated him.

You knew that all ready though, hey, princess?

She leaned back into him. ‘Yes and much more. Yet I’m not sure how.’

Kayden squeezed his goddess, certain now that this was what she was. However, using his gift of selected telepathy that controlled who he could send his thoughts to and what he kept personal, he decided not to reveal this thought to the team or her for fear he might frighten her further. Her little heart was pumping louder and faster by the minute. ‘You belong here, princess. It’s the magic inside you,’ he whispered in her ear.

She turned her head slightly and he saw that her eyes reflected deep into her soul, ancient knowledge flickering within them.

Kayden had no idea why she had been sent to him yet he knew instantly that he would have to show great patience for what lay ahead in their future. Yes, he thought, settling her back in front of him as they arrived at the coordinates. He would go to the ends of the universe to keep her safe and protected.

As soon as they stopped, Kayden could feel that something was wrong. Moving his men and their horses into combat positions, he viewed the intruding Comets. He was picking up a different sound behind them. Ethan had extra-sensitive hearing up here and seeing his back go rigid confirmed that there was a disturbance behind the Comets.

Ethan, what you hearing, man?

He signalled three, plus something scattered behind it. Kayden waited for him to pick up what it was before he reacted. The rumbling and the speed of the Comets were disguising a threat they both knew was coming but until it came closer they were both clueless.

Zoltan, get your stallions ready for anything. If this goes down the way I’m feeling it will the Comets are not our only threat.

Ethan picked it up first and signalled Kayden.

Okay, men, we have a problem. Ethan’s just picked up that the Comets are magnetising and dragging meteors—some the size of a cricket field—with them. It looks like Aldebaran and Conom have broken the treaty with Zoren. This is not only a deliberate attack on the Three Sisters but us as well.

The team all looked surprised but not one of them showed fear, just pure and workable anger toppling into rage. Rage was not good.

Okay, I’m feeling you men, just settle. Anger is good—use it but don’t lose it and rage out on me. Last time you took some good with you so chill, okay? With all the missiles he’s sending our way it’ll be tough but we also have an advantage. In the wizard’s vision of this attack he mustn’t have foreseen our secret weapon. None of us knew Cassie would be on this trip. Let’s just say that tonight is as good a time as any to introduce evil himself to our demolition specialist.

The men all signalled with thumbs up that they agreed that Cassie was going to be some force to be reckoned with. Cassie didn’t move a muscle but her hackles were up, prickling the hair on Kayden’s arm where he held her. She had sat up straight from the minute they arrived, statue-perfect, alert as an alley cat ready to pounce. Her power was taking over her fear and replacing it with readiness for what lay ahead and he could feel her heart pacing comfortably now, her energy spiking and humming through him. Kayden analysed it and for what was coming he knew he needed much more from her.

Zoltan, reposition the squad. Give me double the parsec between the two teams. Jason and Conor, your target is the Comet on the left. Woody, you and Ethan handle the one on the right. Cassie will pick up anything floating in between. Well, we love a challenge, men and this is a doozy. Keep your wits about you; watch each others’ backs. I’ll be monitoring the debris. Keep yourselves tight with your ride in case I have to pull you out of the way of some rubble.

They nodded and signalled when they were ready. Kayden could feel them all link and start building their magic.