Chapter 18

Brynn spotted the small entourage of people coming down the bulkhead between the ships. The sounds of their approach echoed down the narrow corridor, growing louder as the group drew closer. She shifted her weight, her fingers twitching at her sides as she tried to steady herself.

Captain Johansen was out in front, still wearing the same uniform she'd had when she rescued her and Idris from her sister. Her other sister, also wearing a different uniform, walked alongside her. Neither of them looked particularly excited. If anything, Brynn thought, they looked ready to punch holes in the bulkhead. The captain walked with the attitude of someone who was in charge of everything in sight.

Walking alongside them was a small cluster of officers and flight deck personnel trailing after them.

But it wasn't Johansen or the others that made Brynn's breath catch.

Behind them, walking in calm, measured steps, came multiple figures unlike anyone she had ever seen-massive even from a distance. As they drew closer, Brynn realized just how much taller they were than everyone else. Well over two meters, the humans seemed almost swallowed in their shadow, like children walking ahead of something ancient and dangerous.

The Ulratians moved with a quiet, unsettling grace, their long strides eating up the distance as though they had all the time in the world. Where the sounds of footfalls came from the humans around them, Brynn didn't hear a thing from their approach. Their bare feet seemed to pad along the bulkhead with the lightness of a feather.

Her chest tightened as she straightened her shoulders, willing herself not to shrink under their gaze as they approached. Whatever this was, whoever they were, they were here for her.

As they drew up in front of her, Brynn kept her expression as neutral as she could manage, though her heart thudded hard in her chest. Johansen spared a glance behind her, then looked straight at Brynn. She tried to smile, but it was the most forced smile Brynn had ever seen.

"Miss Phytrelia," she said, her voice cool and professional as always. "I've brought some visitors who appear to have come a long way to see you. I tried to assure them that you were not interested in being disturbed at the moment, but they were incredibly insistent."

She clenched her jaw, obviously trying for diplomacy in her explanation of how their conversation had gone. "This is-"

Before she could finish, one of the creatures stepped forward and reached out a hand toward Brynn, cutting off the captain's introduction rather abruptly.

"I am Ulch Seeker Korran, at your service. My leader, Szen Seeker Xedrin, and I have come for you."

Every instinct told Brynn to be afraid. Everything about them screamed power, danger, strength beyond anything she could match. And yet, when Korran-the one who had introduced himself-stepped forward and reached out a hand toward her, something in her chest shifted.

She stared at his hand, large enough to swallow her whole, and for a moment, her heart thundered against her ribs. But when she finally gathered the courage to reach out and take it, her fingers closing around his, a wave of calm washed over her. Warmth, steadiness-like the world had stopped spinning for just a moment.

Instead of fear, Brynn felt something she hadn't known in a long time-safe.

"Hello," she managed, her voice smaller than she wanted it to be.

The figure standing next to the one with the outstretched arm, a cloak clasped around his neck, let out a low chuckle at her response. She remembered herself and stretched out her hand again, allowing him to take it. She shook slowly, still trying to take them in.

Korran gave a slight incline of his head, still holding her hand gently as though waiting for her to find her footing. "You are taller than I expected," he said, his voice thoughtful, almost soft. "But I see strength in you."

Brynn blinked, unsure how to respond, and pulled her hand back, her fingers tingling from the strange calm that lingered.

"You must have many questions," Xedrin said, stepping forward now. His sharp gaze met hers, but there was no malice in it-only steady, patient watchfulness.

"Yeah..." Brynn breathed. "Starting with why you're here."

Korran's gaze didn't waver. "We are here for you."

Brynn's stomach twisted. "For me? Why? What did I do?"

"It is not what you think," Xedrin added quickly, a hint of warmth in his voice.

Brynn's eyes darted to Johansen, who still stood stiffly, arms crossed, jaw set tight. She looked like she wanted to argue but knew better-at least for now.

"Your gift has manifested, and we are here to help you," Korran continued, softer now. "There are those among you who have manifested but have been spoken for. The captain's sister, for example."

Johansen stiffened. "You leave my sister out of this, you-"

Korran cut her off, speaking as though he hadn't heard her. "We do not come for them. But you... we need you."

She looked between them, obviously confused. "Need me? For what? For..." She swallowed, hesitating. "For some kind of... experiment or something?"

Korran smiled, but Xedrin's laugh seemed to come from much deeper than before. "Play with humans?" he said, clearly finding the idea ridiculous. "Certainly not. No. Your gift has come to you naturally. We simply want to help you-the same way we would help any weapon. Like sharpening a blade before you plunge it into your opponent."

Brynn wasn't sure how she felt about that comparison. "Right. But my ability was taken. I didn't even know that I had anything left before... the incident." She paled a little, obviously still embarrassed about what had happened.

Xedrin and Korran immediately exchanged a glance before Xedrin spoke up. "You have been defiled by an agent of Delethire?"

Johansen scoffed. "Nonsense. Delethire is a myth, made up by that buffoon, Chariton, to explain his mistakes."

Korran spun to look at her. Before she knew it, Captain Johansen was lifted off the deck, her feet hanging as Korran clutched the front of her uniform. He brought his face centimeters from hers, deceptively calm.

"Are you to imply that Szen Seeker Xedrin... is a liar?"

Captain Johansen held up her hands, obviously afraid. The soldiers around them instinctively drew their weapons and pointed them at Korran. He didn't seem to notice. She shook her head, trembling. "No. It's just... it's not real. It's part of that story that idiot captain made up after my sister died."

Xedrin reached forward and put a hand on Korran's shoulder. "Brother, she meant no offense. Let her go."

Korran scowled into Johansen's face, clearly disgusted, but released her. She dropped to the deck, falling to her knees before standing again. "Stand down," she commanded, and the weapons were holstered.

Brynn wrinkled her forehead. "Defiled? No... She just... After she captured us, she hurt Idris, and then... she did something to me. My fire manifested in a way that I'd never been able to conjure in all the experience I've had with it, and then it was gone. Idris said she stole it from me. But then there was that incident in the flag bridge. I still don't even really know what happened."

Korran and Xedrin exchanged another look. Xedrin nodded, and Korran looked back to her.

"Sometimes there are many facets to how it manifests. Perhaps there are some that are unexplored in you."

"Unexplored? What do you mean?"

"In time," Xedrin said. "If you come with us, all will be revealed. With patience and training, we will rectify this transgression that has been cast upon you."

She frowned, her hands clenching at her sides, but before she could speak again, Korran stepped closer, his tone softening. "You were not meant to carry this alone."

She looked down, swallowing hard. "Why do you care? Why me?"

Korran's voice gentled, and there was something almost reverent in the way he answered. "Because such precious potential deserves the most profound attention. You will not find that training here among the other humans. This is why the agreement exists."

His words hit harder than she expected, and Brynn felt her throat tighten.

She looked back up, her hands trembling slightly. "You think you can fix this?"

Xedrin's lips twitched into something like a smile-calm, but with a fierce edge beneath. "No," he said, surprising her. "We can't fix you. But we can show you how to fix yourself."

Brynn let out a slow breath, her gaze flicking to Johansen-still glaring, still silent-and then back to the Ulratians.

"Alright," she said again, stronger this time. "But... what about Attulanta? What about Idris? They took him!"

Brynn's heart was thudding against her ribs, but she found herself standing a little straighter, watching Korran with new eyes.

"We have had... limited encounters with Gifted who have been tainted by an agent of Delethire," Xedrin said carefully, as though measuring each word. "Those touched by them do not emerge unscathed. Their gifts-your gift-have been defiled. Perhaps buried deep inside you."

Brynn felt her stomach twist at the word, but Xedrin met her gaze with a gentleness that softened the blow.

"We have endeavored to meet this new enemy in righteous combat, but our efforts have borne no fruit. They elude us like some dark demon. They are afraid. Your captain-if he was taken by them-could lead us to the victory we seek. Come with us. Bring your ship. We will hone you into the deadliest of warriors and bring you with us into the heat of battle. Should you choose, of course."

"It is our duty to help you," he continued.

She frowned, her hands clenching at her sides, but before she could speak again, Korran touched her shoulder, gently soothing. "We would not take you without your will. But we ask-come with us. Let us help you. Let us get you back what was stolen."

Brynn swallowed hard, her voice small. "And my ship? My captain?"

The question hung in the air like a challenge, and for the first time since Korran had confronted Johansen, everyone turned to look at her.

Johansen's jaw was tight, her eyes dark with unspoken words.

Korran turned to her slowly, with a look that said he wasn't about to argue or ask permission. "She will come with us. And the ship will go with her."

Johansen's lips thinned. "I don't-"

Xedrin cut in smoothly, though his gaze was sharp. "Your agreement with us stands, Captain. Gifted are ours to protect. Those unspoken for, of course."

Johansen's hands twitched, but she said nothing, her silence loud enough to fill the space.

Korran looked back at Brynn, softer now. "Come with us, and we will help you. And when you are ready-we will help you find him. Find Idris. And together, we will bring the fight to those who harmed you both."

Brynn stared at them, her heart pounding. She thought of Idris, alone-or worse-and something inside her finally stopped running.

She took a slow, steadying breath. "Alright," she said again, her voice rough. "I'll go.."

Korran gave a faint nod, and for the first time, something like approval flickered in his dark eyes.

As the weight of her decision settled on her shoulders, Brynn glanced up the ramp and then back out to look at the rows of fighter craft lined up around her.

She exhaled slowly, feeling the eyes of everyone on her as she gathered herself.

Whatever comes next... she thought, at least I'm not facing it alone.

Korran stepped to her side. "When you are ready."

Brynn squared her shoulders. She wasn't ready-not yet-but she stepped forward anyway.