Ascendant Saga Collection: Sci-Fi Fantasy Techno Thriller Brandon Ellis (ebook reader for comics txt) 📖

guided her hand over Jaxx’s solar plexus, then took Fox’s hand and placed it over Rivkah’s.

“He must decide,” said Liberty. “Only he can activate the solution.”

Jaxx’s hand moved from his side and joined Fox and Rivkah’s.

“For you, Rivkah,” he said. “Always for you.”

He felt Rivkah’s hot tears on his bare chest.

He smiled and pressed down hard on the crystal that graced his sternum.

“What do you wish to do, Jaxx?” asked Liberty.

“Eliminate all the Kelhoons from Callisto.”

“Then it’s done.”

It started as a single wave, but built so fast he was tripping through the stars and catapulting around the galaxy, the songs of all his people pouring through his brain. He was part of The Law of One. He was Kaden Jaxx, eradicator of all Evil. He was loved and held.

He was the answer to Callisto’s prayers.

49

J-Quadrant, Solar System - Callisto

Rivkah leaped back, staring at where Jaxx had been. He disappeared before her eyes.

Fox put his hands out. “Where in death’s name did that guy go?” He turned and glared at Liberty with gritted teeth.

Rivkah took a step forward, wiping the watery mess from her eyes. Embarrassing, how could she let something like this affect her? Jaxx came back to save them all, and he did. Now he’s gone. Dead.

She fell to her knees, grabbing at her heart, and sobbed. Why did she have to have these feelings, this sensibility, this pain? In spite of all her good intentions that piece of shit, Jaxx, had grown on her to the point that she couldn’t help but long for him, think of him, and worst yet, cry for him. And, of all things, he just surprised the ever-living hell out of her by giving his life to these people, to her, for their ultimate survival.

He was gone. Screw everyone else. No matter how much he bothered her and for so long, that bastard deserved another starfighter battle, another swing at someone’s face.

She wiped more tears from her eyes and nose, flinging the blubbering discharge on the floor. She grabbed her hair and screamed from her belly, a scream she held in since she was a child, since her dad first pushed her to the floor, and kicked her while she was down. She screamed again. Harder. The pyramid shivered. Dust fell from the ceiling.

And then silence.

She acted like a fool. She raised her shoulders and swallowed the last of her sobs. Her armor clamored. She’d almost forgotten she was wearing the Atlantean war attire.

She cleared her throat. She had to forget Jaxx. She had to fight every feeling she had for the son of a bitch who saved her one moment and screwed her over the next.

She wiped off her knees. Her voice cracked. “I don’t feel him anymore. He’s gone. Dead.” She shook out her hands in an effort to relax her body, hoping the initial shock of his disappearance would soon pass. In fact, she wanted to kick the crap out of the initial pain, throw it in the garbage, and burn it.

Liberty’s eyes widened. “XO Katherine Bogle didn’t bear witness to this. How did I let this happen?” She raced out of the chamber and down the steep tunnel.

Rivkah and Fox gave each other a look.

“Fox, what’s happening?” asked Rivkah.

“Don’t ask me, Riv. I’m going to find out.” He tipped his head to the side, gesturing for her to go down the tunnel first.

“That your idea of chivalry?” Rivkah’s lip curled. She did nothing to hide her derision. Fox was a steaming sack of dog doo and she didn’t care who knew it. She walked around the sarcophagus and into the shallow tunnel, inching her way down. Liberty was already gone and the sound of her quick feet pounded on the ground outside. She made it to the bottom of the tunnel and looked over her shoulder.

Fox was on her tail, having a hard time. He tripped and tumbled, his armor clanging like tin against rock, arms flailing. He tried and failed to stop himself from twisting and turning as he spilled out onto the ground.

Rivkah raised her eyebrow, giving Fox a glassy stare. “And you made it to Captain? How?”

“Oh, screw off.” He put his hand up for her to help him stand.

She snorted and reached for his hand.

He swatted it away.

“Classy, Fox.” She turned her attention to the distant city, set deep in a crater and surrounded by a glass dome. Liberty ran toward the city.

“She’s headed towards Flood of Dawn,” said Rivkah. “Why is she freaking out?”

Fox swatted his pants. Small poofs of dust escaped at every swipe. “I don’t know. Don’t care.” He took several steps toward the city. “You coming along or do I have to carry you?”

Rivkah shook her head. “Keep going.” She took a seat on the cold, dusty ground and grabbed a handful of dirt. She let it fall through her fingertips.

“All right. Suit yourself.”

She watched Fox walk away. A smile touched her face. “So, Jaxx, this is what love is?” Her heart was numb and split in two. She eyed the sky. “You gave your life for ours and for people you barely knew.” She laughed. “I guess, deep down, you were a damn good man. And I guess I did, in some screwed up way, love you.”

She shifted. “And, don’t worry. Eventually I’ll forgive you. I love you, so I guess I’ll take that next step and erase whatever negative shit you’ve done to me.” She dropped her eyes to the ground. “Though I’ll never see you again, I think we had a good run.”

She winked, picturing Jaxx looking down on her. Another tear exited her eye. “I mean, look what you do to me? I’m a poor sap now.” She didn’t wipe her tear. She’d let it slide down as long as she could to savor this memory, the one where Jaxx helped her as much as he helped the rest of the Callisto’s inhabitants. She snorted another laugh and pushed herself up and walked toward the