Chapter Twelve – Sildon
The further he got from Jada, the more his stomach twisted. At first, he thought it was just nervousness, a sense of dread at seeing his mother's grave after all these years. But as he pushed himself forward, he realized it wasn't about his mother at all. It was Jada and Isabel. He had longed for so long to find his family… Maybe he had found it, but not in the place he was looking.
His mother was dead. His father probably didn't even know he existed. But who said that family had to be blood-related?
He stopped. Seeing his mother's grave wasn't going to bring back more memories. It wasn't going to create new ones with her. She had no answers for him. But Jada and Isabel… They were there, and he could make memories with them. He could be a mate and a father. Maybe Jada wouldn't want him, but somewhere along the line, her stubbornness and unpredictably had made him fall in love with her. And she had to know that.
With a grin, Sildon turned back. It was time to look to the future once more.
He ran all the way back to the village and headed for the ship. Halfway there, the sound of blaster fire and clashing swords reached his ears.
Somehow he knew. Jada was in danger.
He whipped his own sword out and raced towards the sound of battle. He arrived to see the three trackers from the Sanctuary fighting against a dozen or more Planchet soldiers. Sweat and blood gleamed in the sun. The three Sanctuary enforcers worked together like different parts of the same machine, perfectly in synch.
Sildon would have been in awe of them if Isabel's screams weren't permeating the air. A soldier was dragging Jada towards the ship, gripping Isabel upside down in his arm. The baby flailed about. Rage unlike anything he had ever known before welled in his chest. Bellowing out a challenge, he charged the soldier.
The man turned at the sound. He dropped Isabel. Jada lunged and caught her just in time, but it was too late for the soldier. A red haze washed over Sildon's vision. Two men jumped in his way, aiming blasters at him. He cut one down as he kicked the other in the knee. Grabbing the man's gun, he twisted it into his chest before pulling the trigger. Another soldier came at him, and he skewered the man.
Jada punched the soldier in the face and ran away from the battle, clutching the screaming baby to her chest. The man who had dropped Isabel started after her. Sildon pushed himself harder, jumping to kick down yet another soldier and use him as a springboard to give him more lift. He crashed down on the man's back, sword sticking down through the length of his body, entering the shoulder and coming out somewhere near the navel.
A blast of energy whipped by his ear. Sildon growled as he rolled away from the body, snatching up a blaster and pointing it back into the soldiers. They drew up short, aiming their weapons at him. On the other side of the battle, the soldiers were pulling back from the Sanctuary trio. A dozen soldiers lay dead on the ground, but a dozen more came from the ship, weapons at the ready.
"I won't let you hurt her," Sildon snarled. "I will kill every last one of you before I allow you to hurt my mate or our child!"
Isabel remained crying. Sildon wanted to turn and make sure she was unharmed, but he didn't dare move.
"Jada, get the baby out of here," he snarled.
"Sildon…"
He turned despite himself. A soldier had Jada by the arm, a blaster pressed against her ribs. All the air rushed from Sildon's lungs. He took a step forward but froze when the gun dug deeper. His heart pounded.
"Harm the human and the wrath of Zon will fall on your heads." Tom's voice rang through the air, full of power and authority. "Leave now and we'll let you live. But if you don't, then you and the corporation you serve will pay dearly."
The soldiers glanced at him and Sildon. A few of them lowered their weapons, but the rest of them focused on the man holding Jada. The crest on his uniform indicated he was a captain. His eyes darted around wildly. A grimace twisted his lips. He released Jada and stepped away from her. Sildon swore he heard a growl in his throat as he rejoined his men.
"Load the dead and wounded," he ordered. "We're letting the human go."
Tom and his companions moved around the circle, watching the Planchets as they loaded their fallen comrades. When they got to Sildon, Tom gestured with his chin for them to move. Sildon put an arm around Jada and started walking. There was no point in running or fighting here. Any disunity would invite the Planchets to attack again, and then they could all be killed.
They were hurried to the Sanctuary ship, a large, sleek vessel parked right next to theirs. It seemed that they had known exactly where to find them. Sildon couldn't really say he was angry about it. If they hadn't been here, Jada would already be gone.
Tom took Sildon's sword and looked through the diaper bag before ordering them into a cell. It was plain but comfortable. A nice-sized bed with warm blankets, a bathroom area, water fountain, and crib were all inside. Clearly, it had been put together with Sildon, Jada, and Isabel in mind.
"We'll be back at the Sanctuary in a standard week," Tom told them. "If there is anything special you need, let us know. When was the last time the baby ate?"
Jada narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you care?"
"If she needs a bottle, we'll prepare one for her." Tom leaned against the doorframe, gaze steady on Jada. "During our investigation, we learned that you stole her from the Planchets. Risky. But admirable. It will help your case when we return to the Sanctuary."
Sildon put his hand on Jada's shoulder and stepped in front of her. "Her case? She didn't do anything wrong. I kidnapped her and forced her to stay with me. She's the victim here. I accept that I must pay for what I did, but Jada is innocent."
"And we assumed that, to begin with. But it's clear that she helped you. She contacted the Sanctuary saying that you were killed and asking for funds to return. Instead, she used those funds to get you here. I'm sure you have a reason… We'll be testing your blood for musth hormones. If you used your musth to make her act out of character—"
"He didn't."
Sildon turned to tell Jada not to incriminate herself. As long as they had excuses, they could avoid jail for her. He had satisfied himself with thinking that he would be put away, and it wasn't like it was an unpleasant thought. Considering the circumstances, and the fact that he hadn't actually hurt any Sanctuary personnel and Jada was unharmed, he thought he could get mercy. But if Jada went to jail… what would become of Isabel?
Jada stepped closer to him, her eyes burning. "He didn't use me at all. I helped him because he helped me save this baby from a life of experimentation and slavery. He's a good man who was just looking for his family, and if you're too dumb to see that, then—"
"Everything you need for the baby is provided," Tom interrupted. "You'll find diapers and other supplies under the bed."
He stepped back and the doors slid shut. Jada opened her mouth, but Isabel let out an angry scream at that moment, and she turned her attention back to the baby. As she tried to soothe Isabel, Sildon went to the bed and found the promised diapers. Knowing that Isabel liked warm baths, he checked the water fountain and was glad when he found he could adjust the temperature.
"Let's give her a bath," he suggested. "We can see if she was hurt at all."
Jada nodded. They bathed her, finding not a bruise on her, then dressed her. Sildon found a medical scanner and took some time looking over them all to make sure there were no internal injuries. Both Isabel and Jada seemed to be fine, and he sat on the edge of the bed while Jada cuddled the baby. The adrenaline wore off quickly, sending them to sleep.
Weariness and dread pulled at Sildon's own limbs, but he pushed it aside. He had spent the last few days poring over the belongings that were once his mother, but he hadn't read her letter. He couldn't even say why he hadn't. Now, jailed and being taken to an unknown fate, he wanted to read it before it was too late.
She had written on paper, an ancient technique that few used anymore. It was such a delicate material. Sildon opened it, careful not to rip the corners, and settled down to read.
His hands shook and he took a deep breath to calm himself. The letter might not even be for him. It could be a grocery list for all he knew. His stomach twisted as he read the first words. My dearest son.
His heart leaped. It was for him! He clutched the letter tighter, eagerly reading the few lines of writing.
If you are reading this, it means I am dead. I have entrusted this letter to Pogi to give to you. I know she will do her best to raise you. I only hope that she develops better patience before I am taken.
Sildon shook his head. On that planet, what choice had his mother had but to trust the deceitful Trioeil? Pogi had lived with them. She would have given Matka no reason to think that she wouldn't take care of him. And perhaps things would have been worse if she had kept him.
You have often asked me who your father was. Sildon swallowed. He was finally going to learn… I never told you. I wanted you to be mine alone. Your father is a great warrior, and if you knew who he was, you would have wanted to be just like him. But his life is dangerous. I don't even know if he's dead or alive. I only wanted you to be safe. But as I am now gone from your life, I want you to have a family. Your father is the warlord Zon.
His breath caught in his chest. What? Zon? The founder of the Sanctuary? Tom's father? Sildon's hands began to tremble.
I'm sorry that I never told you. I'm sorry that I'm not there for you right now, my son, my brave Sildon. You are strong and mighty. Be the man you were meant to be. I love you.
That was it. Sildon read it again, hoping the words had changed. They didn't. His stomach churned. Zon was a famous man. Yes, he was derided as a murderer and criminal by some, but most lauded his name. Sildon crumpled the letter into a ball. If Zon was his father, then he was going to meet him at last.
Rage began to bubble in his chest. Pogi had told him what killed his mother. It was a common, preventable disease. Zon was rich. Powerful. He commanded a massive fleet and controlled many planets. He had the resources to provide for Sildon's home planet.
But he had slept with Sildon's mother, gotten her pregnant… and then abandoned her. His rage burned hotter. If Zon hadn't left her on that backwater planet, she wouldn't have died. Sildon wouldn't have been given away to people who stripped his culture from him. Everything that had gone wrong in his life was because of Zon.
I'm going to kill him, Sildon realized. If it's the last thing I do.