Daybreak Read online

  Girl from the Stars

  Book 1

  Daybreak

  By Cheree L. Alsop

  Copyright © 2015 by Cheree L. Alsop

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design by Conzpiracy Digital Arts

  Editing by Sue Player

  www.ChereeAlsop.com

  To the best family a mother could ever hope for-

  To my husband, Michael, my soul mate,

  For bringing a new meaning to love.

  And to my children, Myree, Ashton, and Aiden-

  For adding so much joy, love, and adventure

  To each and every day.

  Never stop dreaming, and maybe someday

  You’ll have your own space adventures.

  Don’t eat the banarang.

  Equality of race,

  Exploration of the Macrocosm,

  And advancement of knowledge for the

  Growth and understanding of mortalkind.

  Chapter 1

  A bright light pierced the darkness. Tiny motes of dust danced within the beam. Liora’s muscles tightened. The urge to run filled her despite the pressure of the bars against her back. She had tested them a thousand times, yet the need to do so again was difficult to suppress.

  “Can you believe this?” a male voice asked. “I’ve never seen such a collection.”

  “Yeah, and to think they were just left to rot. This has to be worth thousands,” a second voice mused.

  Liora listened to their footsteps. Occupants in the other cages snarled, yipped, hissed, or ignored the men’s presence.

  “What a freak show,” the first said. “Whoever ditched this carrier must have been collecting for quite some time.” He paused, then said, “I think this one’s from the Ursa Minor Galaxy.”

  “Careful,” the other man warned. “Its venom can burn through your suit.”

  “I don’t think it’s- ahh!” the man yelled.

  The crashing sound of cages being knocked over followed.

  The second man chuckled. “Told you.”

  Liora’s heartbeat sped up when they rounded the last aisle. Their heavy boots thudded along the floor and the beams of their flashlights swept to the left and right. She wanted to duck, to hide, to fight, anything but be caught like the spectacles around her, yet she had no escape.

  The light crossed her face and the man on the left paused. He brought the flashlight back and she blinked at the brightness.

  “Look at that,” the man whispered.

  His companion’s light followed. Liora stared back. It had been a very long time since she had seen a true human. Now, two of them stood in full form-fit Coalition atmosphere suits in the belly of the Iridium Osprey Kirkos. Their lights reflected on the glass of their close-fitting face shields, highlighting cheekbones and startled gazes.

  “Tariq, is she human?” the first man asked.

  The second shook his head. “Look at the tattoos on her neck and arms. She’s Damaclan.” The hate Liora expected showed in his gaze and the tightening of his jaw. As much as she resented the expression, she knew it was very well deserved.

  Liora glanced at the other man, expecting to see the same revulsion. Instead, he took a step closer. “Shouldn’t we let her out?”

  Liora stared at him. The man’s dark eyes showed curiosity and a hint of something that resembled pity. Hope, an emotion Liora hadn’t felt in so long she barely recognized it, sparked in her chest.

  “No,” Tariq said; his tone left no room for argument. “Leave her, Devren. We’ll report it and see what the captain decides.”

  “I see you’ve found my ship.”

  A chill ran down Liora’s spine at the sound of Malivian’s voice. She had hoped he was killed in the dispute, but apparently she had no such luck.

  Both men drew their guns.

  Malivian stepped into view and raised his hands. A half-smirk, half-smile touched his reptilian lips.

  “Now, gentlemen, let’s be reasonable. According to the Coalition Laws of Ownership, you are trespassing on my ship. Pointing weapons at me only makes it that much more of an offense. I’d recommend lowering those guns before you harm my own precious being or any of my private collection.” Malivian’s voice dropped and his lizard-like eyes blinked sideways once. “And by private, I mean I’ve paid a pretty copper for them. You wouldn’t want to reimburse me for any damage you might cause, would you?”

  The men glanced at each other, then slid their guns back into the sheaths on their atmosphere suits.

  Malivian gave a nod of approval. “Good choice. I’ve already spoken with your captain. He has agreed to taxi my ship to the closest Gaulded so that I can see about repairing the damages done by the Revolutionaries.” His eyes glittered greedily in a look Liora knew too well. “The sooner I get my show back on the road, so to speak, the better.”

  “Your show?” Devren asked.

  Malivian gave a sweeping gesture with both arms, encompassing the contents of the huge room.

  “My circus,” he said. His forked tongue slid out on the last syllable.

  Both men winced visibly.

  “Why is she in here?” Devren pressed.

  Malivian glanced back and his eyes locked on Liora. The reptilian smile returned.

  “Ah, I see. Liora’s captured your thoughts, has she? She has a way of doing that, you know.” Malivian tapped his forehead with a clawed finger. “She stays in your mind, that one does.”

  “I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Devren whispered to Tariq.

  Tariq shook his head with suspicion in his gaze. “We need to get out of here.”

  “But,” Malivian said in the earsplitting tone that he used to capture the attention of crowds and drew spectators to his tent, “Don’t be fooled by Liora’s beauty, for once a Damaclan, always a Damaclan.”

  He leaned closer and the men took a step back.

  Malivian lowered his voice dramatically. “What’s worse than a trained killer, gentlemen?” He gave a knowing smile and said, “A trained killer with the beauty of a goddess. I’ve always felt it unfair that the Damaclan race was gifted with such an attractive outward appearance, yet they remain so lethal to the touch.”

  Tariq grabbed Devren’s arm. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Good choice,” Malivian said. He turned with a shake of his head as though bored of them and muttered just loud enough for Liora to overhear, “The sooner we can get underway, the faster I can be clear of this Coalition scum.”

  Devren glanced at Liora once more before following his friend. Liora saw her chance to escape fading quickly. She didn’t have a choice. She had to at least try.

  Don’t leave me here.

  Devren stopped in his tracks.

  “Did you hear that?” he asked Tariq.

  His companion looked around. “I hear enough screeching and hooting to last a lifetime. The sooner we get clear of this ship, the better.”

  Devren met Liora’s eyes. She didn’t dare speak again. If Malivian knew, he would punish her. He already thought she had been pushing; a shiver ran down her spine at the knowledge of what her disobedience would bring. She dropped her gaze.

  When Liora looked up again, Devren and Tariq were gone. The glimmer of hope fled, leaving Liora feeling empty and numb. She slid down the cold metal bars and rested her head on her knees. The pressure of the steel on her back reminde
d her of the punishment she would soon receive. Her hands balled into fists and a tear slid down the side of her nose. Liora gritted her teeth and wiped the drop away. Malivian would never see her cry.

  “Liora?”

  The voice was muffled.

  Liora jerked awake. The fight or flight surge of adrenaline that rushed through her body tightened her muscles and caused her back to ache. Liora grimaced and the form in front of her drew back.

  Her eyes focused in the darkness. The beasts in the cages around her either slept or appeared entirely unalarmed at the presence of the human who watched her from the other side of the bars.

  “I’m getting you out,” Devren said.

  He put a pair of bolt cutters up to the lock on her door. With one push, the lock snapped and the door swung free.

  Liora stared. It felt too easy. Part of her wondered if Malivian had come up with another cruel trick while the other part toyed with the hope that had been dashed hours ago.

  “Come on,” Devren urged. “If we don’t leave now, we’ll be caught for sure.”

  He reached a hand inside the cage as if to help her. Liora met his searching gaze. He withdrew his hand and waited.

  Liora shoved down the trepidation that made it hard to breathe and stepped out.

  The tiled floor felt cool. The slight swishing sound her bare feet made as she followed Devren’s clipped strides barely reached her ears. The creatures around them stirred. A three-headed bird with only two beaks gave a small squawk and ruffled its feathers. A scaled beast with six legs turned in a circle and whined. Two creatures with flippers and fangs barked when they paused near the door.

  Devren held up a hand and peered out.

  “It’s clear,” he whispered. He opened the door and motioned for her to pass.

  Liora shook her head and motioned for him to go first. Devren did so with only a hint of concern showing on his face.

  She followed Devren down a long, clean hallway. The ship appeared older but tidy, its white tiles washed and ceiling panels whole unlike several places in Malivian’s ship that were in dire need of repair.

  At the first hallway junction, Liora’s attention was captured by the paintings that garnished each corner. At first, she thought they were posters like those of past circus gatherings that littered the halls of the Kirkos Malivian continued to plaster over because he was too lazy to take any of them down, but a closer look showed paintbrush strokes. Each painting had been done by a careful hand as though the flowers and sunsets she viewed were memories preserved by a loving artist.

  “You can stay in my quarters until we break free of this wreck,” Devren whispered as he led her down the hall. “I just hope we’ll have enough time to—”

  Voices caught Liora’s keen ears and she grabbed his arm. Devren stared at her with a mixture of trepidation and fear as though he had just realized that freeing a Damaclan may not have been the best idea.

  Liora motioned over his shoulder. The voices grew louder. Devren touched his palm to a reader and a closet door slid open. He waited until Liora crouched beside him, then hit the button for the door to shut. They listened with bated breaths as the footsteps drew near and then passed them without pausing.

  Devren didn’t talk during the rest of the winding journey through the ship. From what Liora could tell, it looked like an Iron Falcon, a Coalition starship crewed by trained military personnel. Liora knew it was the last place she should be. The irony that she had left one cage to possibly be trapped in another wasn’t lost on her.

  “Here it is,” Devren said. He put his palm on the print reader and the door slid open. He lifted a hand as though to motion for her to enter, then dropped it and walked in first.

  Liora glanced down each side of the hall. Her ears strained for signs of pursuit; hearing none, she followed the officer inside.

  When the door slid shut, Devren put his hands on either side of his helmet, pressing the release buttons and lifting at the same time. The airlock shield slid free. He pulled the helmet off and took a breath of the clean air.

  Dark brown hair fell around Devren’s face. Liora was surprised to realize that they were roughly the same age. He had looked older with the helmet on. Early twenties was young for someone with a lieutenant’s stripes. His handsome face was balanced by the knowledge in his gaze as if he had seen far more of the galaxy than his years let on.

  Devren walked the few short steps to the bed and turned on his heel as though he had followed the same path thousands of times.

  “We have to hide you,” he said. “If they find you here, we could both get quartered.” His gaze traveled over the tattered robe that was the only clothing Malivian had allowed her to wear. A brush of red touched his cheeks. “Let me find you something a bit more concealing,” he offered.

  Devren slid the door of a small closet open and rummaged inside. A few seconds later, he withdrew a faded uniform top and a pair of black pants with patched knees.

  “I’m not sure on the sizes,” he said apologetically.

  The thought of wearing anything other than the tattered robe that was barely more than rags by that point meant more than Liora could express.

  “They’ll be fine,” she said, her throat tight.

  Devren turned away. She had just finished buttoning the shirt when the door to Devren’s quarters slid open.

  “Communications are down and I need—” The man with salt and pepper hair and captain’s stripes on his uniform stared from Devren to Liora.

  “Captain Metis, I can explain,” Devren began.

  The captain’s jaw clenched and he straightened his shoulders. “Officer Straham, take these two to the brig.”

  “Yes, Captain,” a skinny man behind him answered.

  “But Captain Metis,” Devren replied, “You need me on the bridge.”

  The captain shook his head. “I’ll deal with both of you later.” He disappeared back up the hallway.

  Chapter 2

  Liora fought down a rise of panic. They were in a tiny room handcuffed to rings in the wall. It sent chills across her skin at the thought that she had just traded one prison for another.

  “Why didn’t you fight him?” she asked quietly.

  Devren glanced at her. “Officer Straham was just doing his job.”

  “You could have beaten him.”

  She should have beaten him, she reminded herself. Her jaw clenched. When Captain Metis turned them over, it was only Devren’s minute shake of the head that kept her from ending any hope Officer Straham had of ever shooting a gun again. As it was, she had obeyed and could only blame herself for the position she was in.

  “Beating him would have only made things worse. I committed treason by bringing you on board. An action like that risks the life of every member of this ship. It wasn’t my decision to make.”

  Liora made herself ask the question that burned inside her. “So why did you?”

  Devren let out a quiet breath and averted his gaze. It was a few minutes before he said, “Tell me I risked my career for a good reason.”

  Liora owed him at least that much. Even though she had traded one cage for another, so far the brig was far better than the situation from which he had freed her.

  “I’ll show you,” she said quietly.

  The image was rough at first. Liora hadn’t used the ability since Malivian became her captor. She concentrated, pushing the memory forward so that it reached Devren’s mind.

  The image was from the third person. It was a memory of earlier that day after the two officers had left. Despite Malivian’s nonchalant attitude about Liora, he had returned with fire in his eyes just like she knew he would. The cords hung from his clawed hand and the twinkle of glee glimmered in his reptilian gaze as it did every time.

  “Talking to strangers without my command, are we?” he asked.

  Liora shook her head.

  “Come now,” Malivian cooed. “I saw the way he looked at you. You called them here, didn’t you?”

&
nbsp; Liora shook her head again.

  Malivian’s eyes narrowed. “Speak to me, Liora.”

  “I-I didn’t,” Liora said, her voice raspy from lack of use.

  Malivian’s tongue flicked out between his lips. “You know what I mean,” he said. “Send your voice inside my head.” The tongue ran the length of his lips as though he relished the idea.

  Liora turned away.

  “Fine,” Malivian spat. “Then you deserve your punishment.”

  Liora grabbed the bars. She heard the flick of Malivian’s wrist and felt the answering pain when the two small half-circle blades embedded in her back. Blood trickled from the wounds that would later look like small piranth bites. If that was all Malivian did, Liora could handle it; but she knew the worst was yet to come.

  “Speak to me, Liora.”

  Liora ground her teeth together so tight they felt like they would break. She gripped the bars in both hands.

  “Now, Liora!” Malivian demanded.

  At her lack of obedience, the dreaded click sounded. The creatures from across the hull of the Iridium Osprey Kirkos fell silent and a moment of fearful anticipation filled the air. Liora’s back arched at the surge of electricity that flooded her body. The scent of burning flesh touched her nose. She bit back a scream and tasted blood.

  I’m sorry! She finally pleaded, pushing her words into his mind.

  Malivian let the device run for another full minute. When he finally left, Liora lay immobilized on the floor.

  She shut off the image in time to see Devren stumble. His handcuffs kept him from falling. He caught himself against the wall and leaned there for a moment.

  “I forgot pushing can be hard on a person if you’re not used to it,” she said quietly.

  She watched him, certain when he met her gaze that she would read loathing and disgust on his face. She was Malivian’s possession, his pet. Maybe Devren would send her back.

  “Liora,” he said.

  “Don’t—”

  Her words were cut off by a huge bang and a shudder that shook the Iron Falcon. Sirens sounded and the lights in the brig flashed white and red. Explosions caught Liora’s ears and another shock hit them so hard it threw Liora and Devren against the wall. Liora’s handcuffs bit painfully into her wrists as she fought to steady herself.