CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

 

 

- Bren

I hear the dull roar of the crowd as we get close to the amphitheater. It sounds like half the planet is there and it wouldn’t be shocking if a large majority of them are. As we file in to a small area, there are five chairs waiting for us. We can’t see anything but black beyond that.

“Sit. This will start shortly.” All of us obediently drop into chairs and as I settle my breathing, I realize that Hannah is quite close.

Yes! But she is starting to panic. What could be going on?

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Please take your seats quickly. You have three minutes.” The speaker’s announcement area lights up and I listen carefully while the noise dies down and a hush falls over the massive audience that I still can’t see.

Hannah’s presence drops to a low throb in my heart although she is still worrying about something. I can relate.

“Remember brother, no matter what. I am here and with you. You can do this.” Clenching my jaw in anger, I nod briefly to Matthias, thankful for his support, even if it’s just to have someone with me.

Relaxing into Hannah’s familiar and comforting heartbeat, I let my own match hers and try to relax so she can feel me too. It’s less than a minute later that I notice her heart beat pick up with anxiety before a spike of fear travels through our connection. What could be going on?

Instantly, I know where she is in the darkened area across from me and I stare, trying to penetrate the cloud they put between us on the barrier. It’s frustrating to be so close and I wish that we could just communicate through our bond.

Of course, I can. Deliberately, I relax more instead of letting her fear affect me and then us both. I slow my breathing more and imagine reaching out to her through the darkness I know she is in. We don’t have long to wait. Once this is over, Matthias thinks they will let us be. I have to assume he’s correct and think positive.

The speaker announcement comes on giving us a one minute warning and the crowd becomes even quieter. Ignoring the distraction, I continue to dwell upon Hannah. Her soft skin and warm embrace and how loving she is. It calms me, and I can feel her settle down as I stare into the darkness. She needs me and right now this is all I can give her. It has to be enough until we are reunited.

If this doesn’t go well tonight, I won’t let them keep us apart. But for my brother and everyone’s else’s sake, I’d like to get through this and prove without a doubt that she is mine. Truly and in every way mine. It will give hope to so many.

Without any preamble, the stage lights up.

“Bren Khar, we are gathered here today to review the filed complaint from Vina Likana and the Likana Lineage, that you have defaulted on the Familial Commitment to her Line. As you are claiming that you now have taken a mate, and are now bound by a Mating Unit Lead, the classic trial by location will be used to test this bond. As the accused party, it will be up to you to locate your mate to show your tie.”

A low murmur goes through the crowd and I’m sure they are all wondering what the hell is the plan here. I’m actually curious myself. If my brother wasn’t here I would have been totally in the dark. “In order to continue,” her gaze turns directly to me, “Please point out the location in the amphitheater that your mate now occupies.”

Our area must be the only block that can’t see her. I can only imagine all eyes are locked on me. Standing, I point directly to where I know Hannah is located. The murmur grows into full out talking and a few indignant voices make comments about how this is all a trick, scam or some magic show for the public.

I really couldn’t care less if they think that. I just keep staring at where I know Hannah is. The lights snap on in the entire amphitheater and the thousands and thousands of spectators are revealed. Matthias stands up next to me as Hannah rises in her seat too. She’s less than a room away from us across the stage and she takes a step forward before the council member Marquel Sune, who she’s sitting next to, grabs her arm and pulls her back. Marquel leans over and whispers in her ear. Hannah’s mouth firms in displeasure but she turns back to her chair.

“Hannah obviously doesn’t understand our technology. She believes she could just come over to you.” Matthias’s sad voice is in my ear.

“Yes, and we’re showing her such a great side of our society.” My voice is a growl. “I promised her she would like it here. It isn’t beautiful any longer, but it’s our home. I thought we could be happy, but everyone views this as entertainment. And as if I’m a charlatan, conjuring up a trick. This is no joke, it’s my life.”

Matthias grabs my arm as council member Kirley Pelack, the commentator speaks again. “As the challenge has been accepted, there will be a two-hour head start for Bren Khar’s mate, known to be Hannah Becker from Earth, to be taken to the Malakin catacombs. Bren Khar will have an added two hours to locate her. If he fails, they will go their separate ways and Bren Khar will be obligated to fulfill his Familial Obligations to Vina Likana and the Likana Lineage and Hannah Becker of Earth will be escorted off planet. If he succeeds, there will be no other contesting to the bond. Hannah Becker from Earth will be bestowed all rights as a female of Quasar and Unit Lead.”

The murmuring starts again as everyone lets the repercussions of the situation sink in.

It’s bad enough that the Mate Trial seeking is in the Malakin catacombs. It’s a dangerous place and my gaze swings to my Matthias. “The Malakin catacombs? Must it be there? There is much Hannah does not know. We don’t know how any of our wildlife will effect her.”

“Bren, we must follow the old law.” It’s council member Kirley Pelack who answers my questions, even as she moves closer to our barrier and within feet of us. “It’s been two thousand, three hundred fifty two years since the last mate pairing. The laws still exist and we must follow them. The trials were done in the Malakin catacombs and in the tradition of our elders before us, we will follow them.”

She pauses as she looks down at me. Her eyes trace the mating marks on my neck that trail into my waistband. “This is a monumental day for us all. You give many hope. Best luck to you both.”

Spinning around, she strides quickly from the room. All the lights disappear in the other areas and it’s like we are back in our own small box of a room.

“It’s fine. She will be fine.” Matthias’s nonsense starts again and I try to pick up the chant in my head. I realize I am shaking, and it dawns on me why.

I fall into the chair as I notice Hannah moving away, our connection thinning.