Undone: The Dark Skies Trilogy Read online

  “I could wear a cold water wetsuit,” he counters. “The new neoprene fabrics are incredible. They’re warm and relatively light weight.”

  “We’ve already been over this,” I argue. “Whoever approaches the Draconian brain has to be under a 150 pounds including wetsuit and has to be able to maneuver quickly in the water. A wetsuit makes that impossible.”

  I know he’s worried. He’s trained me for practically my entire life for a situation like this, but now that it’s actually here, he can’t bear the idea of me getting hurt. Or, worse, killed.

  This last option seems highly likely because this is nothing less than a suicide mission if I’ve ever heard of one. The current plan calls for me to be dropped through a hole in the ice sheet that covers Lake Cami.

  Then I have to descend nearly a quarter mile down through the wicked lake current to the completely dark lake floor where the Draconian brain is nearly full grown. At that point, I must implant a small explosive in the exact right spot while avoiding the deadly two-headed alien sea monsters that will be guarding it.

  Piece of cake!

  “Don’t worry. I’m okay,” I force a smile, giving him a hug. “I promise to try hard not to get killed.”

  “Okay.” He squeezes me tight. “Please do that. For me.”

  “We’re ready, Astrid,” Fitz calls to us from the other side of the swimming pool. “Don’t be nervous. This is just a basic set of tests to see how well you can perform in the extreme cold, not only physically, but also mentally.”

  I know that it only takes three to five minutes from hypothermia to set in. You’ll be dead in ten.

  Even if you’re lucky, and for whatever reason hypothermia doesn’t set in, extreme cold can mess with your cognitive functions.

  All of this means, even if I don’t die underwater, I might not be able to think clearly. And if I can’t think clearly, I won’t be able to disable the brain.

  That’s why we’re all gathered around this shabby hotel swimming pool.

  “So all you need to do is find a ring of keys,” Fitz explains.

  “That’s it?” I ask, thinking that I must be missing something.

  “And then if you can locate the keys, then we want you to try to see if you can bring the liquid to the surface.”

  “What liquid? Isn’t the whole pool liquid?”

  “You’ll figure it out.” He grins. “We hope.”

  “Okay,” I say, waiting for more. But I don’t get any more information. “And..?”

  “It’s a puzzle. We want to see if you can solve it.”

  “I hate puzzles.”

  Fitz shrugs. “See if you can solve it anyway.”

  I frown. “Can you give me a little more info than just — solve a puzzle?”

  “Nope,” he says then claps his hands enthusiastically. “Let’s get this show on the road, people!”

  Keys, liquid, surface. How hard can that be?

  Chapter 38

  Wearing an incredibly lightweight diving mask with a built in air source, I dive head first into the water expecting the cold to overwhelm me. Initially, I feel the icy tendrils poking at me, even more than I expected.

  Maybe I’m not as immune to the cold as we thought.

  But as I reach the bottom of the pool, I notice that I’m slowly adjusting to the cold. It just seems to fade away, almost as if the water temperature is warming up. Which it is not. But still, it only takes a minute until the stinging cold feels all but gone.

  I kick my way down to the bottom of the twelve-foot deep pool. The glass of the diving mask is totally clear. No fogging at all. The tiled floor of the large rectangular swimming pool is littered with boxes, plastic bins, and a couple of wooden barrels.

  I feel like a guppy in a crowded aquarium filled with fish toys.

  Keys?

  What exactly does that mean?

  All I’ve been told is that I’m supposed to locate a ring of keys.

  I don’t have all day, so I just start swimming around skimming the floor of the pool. I spot a metal shelf with wire basket drawers. Everything in the drawers is metal. Seems like as good a place as any to hide keys.

  I dump out the first drawer. It contains a whole lot of spoons and forks. They clatter out onto the tile floor. It’s nothing but mismatched silverware.

  The second drawer is old metal tools: pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches.

  The third and final drawer is totally filled with a big spool of wire wrapped around a set of at least 100 keys. Keys!

  Great.

  I can’t get to the keys without getting them untangled from the wire. I spend nearly 60 seconds trying to get them out. But they won’t budge. They’re unusable this way.

  This can’t be right. Now what? Do I look for more?

  It occurs to me that this is a puzzle. I need to figure out how to solve this problem with what I have.

  Glancing at everything else on the ground, I wonder if there’s a pair of wire cutters in the heap of rusty old tools. Pushing them around a bit, I realize that there is one that looks workable.

  The cutting tool easily snip thought the layers of tangled wire freeing the keys.

  Holding the liberated ring in my hand, I swim onward wondering what they’re supposed to open? And which one am I supposed to use?

  Looking around, I suddenly notice that everything has a lock. How am I supposed to know which key to use in which lock?

  Gliding around the area filled with mismatched items, like plastic bins, metal lockers and old crates, it occurs to me that whatever it is, it’s probably something that I will recognize. But so far nothing looks familiar.

  Then I spot a wooden box. It’s not very big so I nearly missed it and swam right past.

  It’s my uncle’s spice box. We’ve brought it with us everywhere we’ve lived.

  But here’s what’s weird. I’m pretty sure it was destroyed when our house was burned down by Mr. Johnson and his creepy sons.

  I swim over and pick it up. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this is the original box. The wood grain looks the same, and there’s even a familiar little knick in the lid.

  What did the key for this box look like?

  It was my uncle’s box so he kept it in his room.

  I flip through the keys on the keyring. There must be 100. They look so similar. Finally, I come to a key that doesn’t look like it was forged on this planet. The metal is thinner than the other keys, yet it boasts an ornately scrolled design. This must be it.

  I insert the unearthly key into the box, turn it to a click. The top pops open. Inside sits a small silver thermos. I give it a quick shake and can hear liquid sloshing around. A waterproof sticker reads Mr. Mariposa’s vanilla caramel latte.

  My favorite latte on the planet!

  For a moment, I’m so eager that I almost open it. Luckily, it occurs to me that you can’t pour liquid underwater. Duh.

  I push off the smooth tile floor, ascending to the pool’s surface. As soon as my head’s out of the water, I hear applause.

  “Nice job, Astrid.” Fitz clicks a stopwatch. “You did that with twelve-point-five to spare.”

  “Twelve-point-five what to spare?” I ask, unaware that I was being timed.

  “Seconds,” My uncle explains. “That’s when your air would have run out.”

  “You didn’t tell me that.”

  “I know,” he says. “Did matter anyway, now did it?”

  Chapter 39

  I don’t know why I’m so nervous.

  Standing in the hallway, I look down at my hands to see that they’re trembling ever so slightly.

  Jax regained consciousness an hour ago. According to Dr. Maggie, the first thing he said was that he wanted to speak to me.

  “No,” I say to my uncle who relayed the message to me.

  “I think you should hear what he has to say.”

  “Why are you on his side?”

  “Jeez, gosh, I don’t know?” my uncle says in a sarcastic voice with
wide eyes. “Maybe because he risked his life for you.”

  I pause, consider my options. “Fine.”

  “Just hear him out.”

  I take a deep breath and shove my trembling hands into my pockets. Then I breeze through the door like it’s no big thing.

  Jax sits propped up in bed. He smiles when he sees me. “Hi.”

  “Hello,” I say, a smile creasing my lips even though I’m trying really hard not to smile back at him. My lips are not cooperating. “How are you feeling?”

  “Pretty good. Sick of being in this bed,” he says, swinging his legs over the side. “I was thinking maybe you could help me go for a walk.”

  He stands but looks pretty shaky, so I ask, “Did Dr. Maggie say that was okay? The going for a walk thing?”

  “Not exactly,” he says, trying to get his balance. “But, hey, I’m sure it’s fine.”

  Before I can object, he takes a wobbly step while reaching for my arm. I barely grab him an instant before he tumbles to the floor.

  “Thanks for the assist,” he says, steadying himself with my help. He manages to take a couple more stable steps. “See. I’m totally fine.”

  Slowly, we make our way out of the room and into the hallway. He seems to be getting stronger with every step.

  “Thanks for giving me a chance to explain,” he finally says.

  “Sure. But I’m not exactly sure how you’re going to explain how you betrayed all of us then teamed up with that horrible Draconian-loving Pleiadian bitch to steal my sword and then go into hiding like a coward?”

  “Wow!” he laughs at my assessment of the situation. “That’s what you think happened?”

  “Isn’t it? Cause I’m all ears if you want to explain it all.”

  “I do want to explain… and apologize.” He takes a deep breath. “It’s not what it seems. None of it. When your uncle first asked me to get you to the Stargate, I didn’t really believe you were, you know, the Sisters of Light. No offense, but you just seemed like a spoiled college kid.”

  “This is your apology?”

  “Hang on. I’m getting to it,” he says. “But then as I spent more time with you, I got to witness your courage and bravery first hand. I saw how loyal you are to the people you care about. How hard you fought for them. And then, when you sacrificed your freedom for your uncle, I knew in my heart that you actually were the Chosen One. You had to be.”

  “I don't understand how this relates to you running off with Calliope?”

  “Because she was your biggest threat. Make no mistake about it. She wanted to kill you. Not just that. She wanted you to suffer. Fitz came to me and asked that I try to get in with her at St. Benedicts to get information. Apparently, they suspected that she had ties to the Draconians from the moment she arrived.”

  “How did they know?”

  “The death of her two previous guardians raised suspicion,” he explains. “Anyway, it didn’t take more than a few days to realize that she’d been sent to spy and gather intel on you. All I had to do was pretend to be disgruntled, and she believed me. Then once I was on the inside, Fitz used me as a double agent to get intel on the Draconians’ plans.”

  “So you didn’t actually fall for her?”

  “Her!” he laughs. “She’s nothing compared to you.”

  I feel my checks flush. I’m shocked to hear what he’s telling me, but at the same time, it makes perfect sense.

  “You put yourself in an incredibly dangerous situation,” I say, softening my tone. “You could have been killed.”

  “What choice did I have?” he counters. “If someone didn’t do it, then we may all be dead now.”

  So he’s not a traitor after all. He’s a hero.

  “I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry I misjudged you. I was certain that you’d betrayed me. Betrayed all of us.”

  “You don’t have to say anything,” he says, slowing to a stop.

  “Are you getting tired? Maybe we should head back.”

  “Not just yet.” He turns halfway but then stops when he’s facing me.

  “Do you need to sit down?” I ask, worried that he’s done too much.

  “No, that’s not what I need.” Before I know what’s happening, he kisses me.

  And this time, much to my total shock, unlike when Chad kissed me, it feels right. His kiss is like a dream. Like fireworks and chocolate ice cream and warm puppies.

  He wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer. I feel the warmth of his body.

  I didn’t even know I’d been waiting for this my whole life.

  We’re interrupted by the sound of a door opening. We pull apart to see Ruby, Phoebe and Chad staring at us in the doorway.

  Phoebe whistles a cat call, while Ruby looks uncomfortable.

  Jax and I are both embarrassed.

  And then, the worst thing happens, and I see the hurt look on Chad’s face. I instantly feel terrible. He whirls around, retreating.

  “Chad!” I call out to him, guilt swelling up in me.

  “No. I forgot my…,” he starts, stumbling over his words. “Forgot something back in my room.”

  Totally confused, Phoebe watches Chad hurry away, then looks back at the two of us. “Awkward,” she says.

  Chapter 40

  “But why?” I ask confused. I don’t like the conversation I’m having. “This makes no sense. It’s a bad idea.”

  “Yes, it makes perfect sense,” Chad replies with no trace of emotion in his voice. I know him well enough to know that he’s just masking whatever he’s truly feeling. But he shrugs like a guy who’s made up his mind. “And it’s the right thing to do too.”

  After Chad walked in on Jax and me while we were kissing, I knew I had to find him to explain.

  Except what exactly do I say?

  Yeah, I thought I had feelings for you, but I don’t. Well I do. But turns out I have bigger feelings for the guy I thought I hated. Still, I really hope we can be friends.

  That’s not exactly going to work. And I feel so weird about the whole thing. It’s crazy how quickly everything changed.

  Six months ago I would have given anything to even have a short conversation with Chad Olson. Just a couple of words would have rocked my world. I literally crushed on him from afar forever.

  But now, as shocking as it sounds, when I look into those beautiful eyes, I search myself and find that I don’t have any romantic feelings for him.

  “Is it because…” I hesitate. “You know, because of Jax?”

  “No,” he smiles sadly. “That’s not it. I want you to be happy. And if he makes you happy, then that’s all good.”

  I nod. Chad is the most honorable guy I have ever met.

  “My parents think I’m dead,” he says, emotion finally breaking through his voice. His eyes search the floor like he’s trying to find the right words to say down on the ground. Finally, he confesses the truth. “If those alien monsters are going to invade and take over, then I want to go home. I need to spend whatever time I have left there with the people who love me the most.”

  “I understand,” I nod. And I do. “I’m sorry I got you involved in this. Took you away from your family.”

  “No. Don’t say that, Astrid.” He reaches out and takes my hand. “I’m grateful that I was able to play some small part in your cause. In your destiny. It’s bigger than all of us. If there’s anything that gives me hope, it’s that I believe in you. And I believe in the people here who are sworn to protect and serve you.”

  Before I know it, he and I are wrapped up in a hug. It’s a warm, safe hug. The embrace of a friend and a treasured teammate.

  “I’ll miss you,” I whisper.

  “Perhaps we’ll meet again,” he replies, then he lets go, turns quickly and walks away.

  Later, when Ruby learns that Chad is returning to California, she and her family request to do the same.

  At first, Fitz refuses. They won’t be safe. The Draconians will come after them because her parents and sist
er have seen their secret alien facility in Mexico.

  But the Lees make the point that at this moment, no one on planet Earth is safe. You know, with a potential Draconian invasion imminent and all that.

  After some arguing back and forth, they convince Fitz that they have the right to be in their home, surrounded by their extended family and community.

  When the Lees swear never to reveal that they know anything about the alien swarm or the existence of the Eye in the Sky organization, Fitz finally relents. Besides, they know they’ll sound like crackpots if they say anything.

  After Dr. Maggie gives Ruby’s dad the okay to be cared for under the supervision of his own doctor, everyone packs up and flies back to California.

  It’s the third time I’ve traveled in the extra-supersonic alien craft that cloaks itself into a helicopter. The trip to the West Coast takes just over an hour and most of that time seems to be spent in the ascending and descending to a height that keeps us off the radar so we can travel at our crazy fast speed.

  Chad is quiet on the drive from the heliport out to his parents’ house. Watching the beautiful California scenery pass by the car’s window, it’s easy to understand why the Olsons chose to live outside of Ocean Grove on the edge of the national forest. It’s about as serene and peaceful as any place on the planet.

  Their quaint family cottage sits at the top of a lonely bluff overlooking a vast canyon filled with towering redwoods and swaying pines. Birdsong is the dominant sound all around us.

  Fitz pulls over just past their house. He parks the SUV and swivels in his seat so he can directly address Chad. “Would you like me to come with you? Help explain the… situation?”

  “No, thanks,” Chad says firmly like he’s already considered this. “I want to go alone. I think it will be easier for them.”

  Fitz nods, then unexpectedly hands Chad a white business card with only a phone number on it. “Thank you, young man, for your service to our cause. You’ve been a great asset. In fact, after you spend a little time with your family, I’d like to offer you an official job with the Eye-in-the-Sky.”