Karac: Kaldar Warriors #1 Read online

  “You’re talking about Nathan.” Dad said in surprise. I was shocked he guessed so fast.

  “Yes, if he would be willing to have me stay with him. Do you think they would link me to him?” This was one thing I wasn’t sure about.

  “I don’t see how. We are neighbors but we hardly see his parents that often to raise alarms. And you have never gone out with him before.” Dad nodded. “I think it might work.”

  “You could just marry him then we wouldn’t have to worry about all of this.” Mom said softly waving her hand in frustration, but I still heard her.

  “MOM!” I gasped, eyes widening. Her head lifted as she looked at me. “Seriously? Why would you even suggest that?”

  “What? Don’t look at me like it is a crazy idea.” She shook her head before continuing. “He graduated two years ahead of you, he’s a nice boy, and has money to take care of you.”

  “Yeah, let’s just jump back 200 years and have an arranged marriage while we’re at it.” I replied heatedly. “I’m not asking the guy if he will marry me. That’s just crazy. We hardly talk twice a year.”

  “And asking to live with him isn’t crazy?” Mom countered.

  “Well, it’s definitely not as big a commitment as marriage. He has like, four bedrooms in that house. He’s a bachelor and probably needs help with household chores, even if I do hate them. It wouldn’t hurt to ask, right?”

  “I think it’s worth a shot,” Dad said slowly, gauging my mom’s reaction. “It would keep you close to home so we can keep an eye on you and be around in case you need something.”

  “Who knows?” Mom said a little too brightly. “Maybe living together you may develop feelings for each other and end up married anyway.”

  “Mom! Really?” I threw my hands up in exasperation, looking to Dad for help. None was forthcoming.

  “What? It could happen.” Mom shrugged.

  “Just because I am 23 years old and single doesn’t mean you can try your hand at match making, all right?” I fumed.

  “Fine, let’s focus on the immediate problem.” Mom looked back down to the paper in front of Dad. I knew it was a small reprieve but I’d take what I could get.

  “Right, the list.” I sighed and put my head in my hands. This was going to be a long night.

  Just then Mom’s cell phone rang and Mom reached over to answer it. Dad and I looked back to the list and started making suggestions on all the things that needed to be “erased”.

  “No, she’s here…Yes, we were talking about it…no we don’t know what we are doing…you’re coming right now? Ok, we’ll see you in a bit. Love you too, bye.”

  Mom turned to us and said my oldest sister, Kat, was coming with her husband and son. Apparently this deal with the aliens called for a family emergency. Well, aliens from outer space who come to kidnap your sister? Yeah, I guess that qualified.

  “We are going to have to come up with a story that everyone will follow if people start calling.” I stated, thinking of all the family and friends we have and how nosy or concerned they could be.

  “You’re right.” Dad said. “We can’t let anyone know that you might be staying at Nathan’s. The fewer people that have knowledge of your location the better off you’ll be.”

  “So what are we going to tell them?” Mom asked.

  “Tell them…I’m staying with Anne.” I crossed my arms as I thought it over, thinking of my other sister. “She’s 12 hours away so it might take a while to get there and then she can say that I was there but disappeared and hasn’t heard from me since.”

  “Solid, easy to remember,” Dad nodded to himself. “I like it. We’ll let everyone know that in two weeks you are going to Anne’s. Right now, you are here and will be staying with us. Otherwise it would be weird that you didn’t stay here at all when the news hit.”

  “Right, okay, then that’s the story we’re going with?” I asked, looking to both of them. Mom and Dad nodded. I took a deep breath for strength, and dipped my head in return. “Okay, back to the list, then.”

  For the next hour, Mom fielded calls from people who were concerned about my future. She stuck to the story fairly well. It was both flattering and embarrassing that so many people were worried about me and also aware of my single status. Who knew that many people cared? By the time my sister and her husband and son showed up, my head was starting to hurt. Our list had grown with the number of things to delete and how to go about doing them. Kat was barely in the door before she pulled me into a hug with tears in her eyes.

  “Sheesh, did someone die or something?” I mumbled into her neck. Humor was my safety net.

  “Oh shut up, I’m just worried about you.” Kat smiled through her tears.

  “Mom,” James, my four year old nephew, piped up from her side, “you can’t tell people to shut up. It’s not nice.”

  “I’m sorry James, I didn’t mean anything by it.” Kat rolled her eyes at me because of his antics. I smiled at her in humor.

  “Hey Ashley?” I looked down at James and then crouched to his level.

  “Yeah buddy?”

  “Are the big aliens with swords going to take you away?” His question left me speechless for a second before I tried to cover my shock.

  “Not a chance, bud. They won’t catch me.” I give him a big smile which had him grinning in return.

  “Good, cause I don’t want you to leave.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be able to see you once in a while.”

  “Good, will you come play with me then?” His mind was already on toys and I had to laugh.

  “Sure, bud, just let me say hi to your Daddy first, okay?”

  “K.” He stayed by my side as I hugged Mark who was setting down their bags.

  “You doin’ all right?” Mark asked with concern in his eyes.

  “Yeah, I don’t think the news has had time to totally set in yet.” I shrugged it off. “Dad and I made a list of things to do, I’ll let him fill you in.” Just then the phone rang, again, and Mom picked it up to answer.

  “Hello? Oh, hi sweetheart…yes, she’s here. I’ll put her on for you.” Mom handed the phone to me and I knew it was Anne, my other sister.

  “Hello?”

  “Oh my God Ashley, what the hell is going on?” Anne asked frantically. “I got out of class and everyone was talking about some press conference the President had with people from outer space and I thought they were all on something. I pulled up the news and watched the video and I can’t believe it! What’s the plan? What do you need me and Chris to do?”

  “Whoa! Slow down there killer.” I chuckled at Anne’s crazy personality. She had always been a bit excitable and apparently this latest news had been the icing on the cake. “Right now the plan is to make me disappear.” I stated slowly, trying to calm her down. “We are making a list of everything that makes me traceable and going to cancel, delete, or whatever, to make it go away. The story is that I will be driving down to stay with you in two weeks.”

  “The story? So you’re not coming?” I could hear the disappointment in her voice. I understood that. She was 12 hours away and we didn’t get to see each other as much as we wanted to.

  “No because family is the first place they will look, if they come looking.” I added. I still wasn’t sure how determined these guys were going to be.

  “Right…and friends are the second. So where are you going?”

  “This doesn’t go beyond you and Chris, okay? The fewer people who know the better off everyone is.”

  “Of course, I get that.” She said in annoyance. “So where are you staying?”

  “It’s not cemented yet, but I was leaning towards Nathan’s.”

  “Nathan? The neighbor boy?” Anne asked surprised.

  “Yep.” I waited for her to mull that over. I didn’t have to wait long.

  “That actually is a good idea. It’s like hiding in plain sight.”

  “Don’t sound so surprised.” I chuckled.


  “No I didn’t mean it like that. Nathan’s place would keep you close and there isn’t a clear connection from him to you.” She paused for a second before adding, “And he would keep you safe.”

  “Um…not sure what you mean by that.” I questioned hesitantly.

  “Ashley, come on. The guy is practically the same age as you, never had a serious girlfriend, if he ever has, and has always had eyes for you.”

  “Uh…What?! Why the he---ah,“ seeing James waiting patiently for me to play with him made me rethink my choice of words. “Why would you think that?”

  “Just trust me, ok? He’ll agree to it. I know he will.”

  “Fine, whatever, I don’t have the energy to argue that point. I’m going to hand you over to Dad so he can talk to you about the list.”

  “Kay, I love you!”

  “Love you too,” I replied shaking my head. I handed the phone over to Dad and smiled down at James. “Ready?” James grabbed my hand and pulled me into the living room. The rest of the night passed in a blur. My family helped finalize a list and divided up tasks to try to erase anything linked to me. Out of everything, I think losing my phone was going to be the worst. Was that sad? Probably, but it was my lifeline to my friends, family, email…everything. In 30 days I was going to be without a phone, car, internet access, and all those other things we take for granted in our day to day lives. But at least I’d be free under my terms.

  I stepped out onto the porch, alone, later that night. Kat, Mark and James decided to sleep over at Mom and Dad’s, I was too. Everyone was getting ready for bed but I needed a little time alone to think. I looked up at the stars. Crazy to think that the aliens were up there, just waiting us out. There was more news coverage of the aliens on the 10 o’ clock news. Funny how I was more than willing to watch it now. I found out the aliens have a name for their race, Kaldarhns – which I guess wasn’t too big a surprise when Karac said he was from Kaldar. The news showed pictures and videos of the Kaldarhns arriving and leaving in an odd looking plane. I suppose it wasn’t really a plane but their space ship. I caught a few more glances of their representative, Karac, and he always seemed to have those bodyguards with him, just a few paces behind. Sometimes there was more than two. I wonder how many of them there were. They were still dressed the same, him in flowing clothes and the ones behind him dressed for battle.

  I wondered what kind of race they were. Did they have a similar government? Was their planet stable? How much trade did they do with other planets? The news had interviewed some college girls that were obviously excited about the new aliens. They were smiling ear to ear and flashing their scantily clad bodies in the camera. Apparently they found the muscled Kaldarhns to their favor. The girls were already set to go to the local police station to get registered, hoping they were chosen by the, and I quote, “studs from space.”

  I almost felt sorry for them. Almost. They seem so young and naïve. I wasn’t that much older than them but at least I had a little bit of caution. There was no sense in rushing into something when you only had half the information, less than half really. The Kaldarhns still hadn’t told us what happened in 30 days or how the database really worked. That was pertinent information I would want to know before going off and doing something that might change the rest of my life. Of course, hiding was also going to change my life. I didn’t know if the Kaldarhns would hunt down every female in the age range but I had 13 years before I was safe. Hiding was my only option. But that was only 13 years of my life. I could hide for 13 years. When I turned 36, I was going to resume my life and snub those alien bastards for screwing with my future.

  Chapter 2: Preparation

  Ashley

  The next morning I woke up with James standing in the doorway of my bedroom, looking at me. I smiled at him as he grinned and rushed me. He jumped on the bed and gave me a big hug.

  “Hey, you’re up early.” I told him. He pulled back and sat beside me as I pulled myself into a sitting position.

  “Nah, you’re up late. It’s almost 10 o’clock.” He said in an all-knowing, four-year-old way.

  “What? Really? Well I suppose I should get up then. Surprised you didn’t pounce on me earlier.”

  “I wanted to, but Mommy told me to let you sleep. Grandma made breakfast but I said I didn’t want to eat without you. I’m hungry so will you come down now?”

  Laughing, I replied, “Yeah, just let me use the bathroom quick and I’ll be down in a bit.”

  “K, you can sit by me.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He ran from my room as I climbed from my bed. Taking a deep breath, I tried not to let yesterday come rushing back all at once. I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind as I made my way to the bathroom. A few minutes later, I was sitting by a happy James who was telling me all about what he did this morning while I was asleep. I nodded and laughed while looking at my family who had converged on the kitchen counter when I sat down. They all wore tight smiles and that never boded well.

  While James was taking a drink of his milk, I turned to my family and asked, “What’s up?”

  “The agreement between us and them has been released.” Mark paused as my attention drifted to him. “We all read through it and it is pretty cut and dry from what they said last night. With a few more details.” Mark added.

  “What details?” I asked. Dad cleared his throat before answering.

  “Well, they included that bit about having 30 days to register at which point the Kaldarhns are granted unrestricted access to locate unregistered females.”

  “Meaning those records which we can’t erase.” I commented, sighing. I knew we wouldn’t be able to do everything but dang, I was hoping it wouldn’t be easy for them.

  “Right.” Dad answered.

  “So, ok, we figured that, what else?” I questioned.

  “The ones who registered are put into a database that the Kaldar males flip through to find their truemate.” Dad said. “They mention the word truemate a lot in the agreement, but there is no definition listed. They must think they can identify their truemate by sight with those pictures.”

  “Well,” I thought out loud, “going back to my fictional books I’ve read and from what they said about them mating for life, I’d say they are looking for one female in particular for each of them. Kind of like a soulmate.”

  “How can a picture or blood sample tell them they found their soulmate?” Mom asked.

  “I don’t know, I’m just speculating.” I shrugged. “Any other details I should know about?”

  “Yes,” Dad continued, “after the 30 days are up, the Kaldarhns are allowed to court their chosen woman that registered for one month before she decides if she wants to leave with them.” I choked on my bacon I just tried to swallow.

  “One month?!? They expect women to fall in love with them in one month?” I put my food aside for a second to preempt any more mishaps.

  “Apparently.” Mark replied dryly.

  “What happens to the registered women who choose to stay?” I asked skeptically.

  “That part isn’t clear but the news people are saying the women are free to stay here if they choose.” Kat said. “No one really heard the aliens say that, but the news people are.”

  “But they don’t know for sure? I mean, the media could just be saying that to ease our fears.”

  “No, I don’t think anyone has a clear idea of what happens if a woman says no.” Kat replied.

  “And the women who don’t register? Any word what will happen to them?” I asked. Things were piling up quickly.

  “No more than what we already know.” Dad said.

  “Ashley, are you sure you want to go through with this?” Mom looked at me questioningly. “If you register, there is still a chance that you won’t be chosen. If you are, you’d only have to withstand a month spent with one of them. You could do that, right?” I thought about that for a minute and figured she was probably right. I didn’t open up well and definitely wouldn’t be
comfortable with someone after only a month, soulmate or not. But we still didn’t know what happens after the month was up and if I said no, what would happen then. That uncertainty was what scared me the most.

  “I know this is going to be difficult, I totally understand that. But not knowing what happens if I say no is a big red flag for me. And honestly, what if this whole truemate thing is a ploy? What if they are actually after something else and they are just wrapping it up nice and tight in a pretty package to make it look good? We have no idea if we can trust them.” I shrugged, waving my hand in frustration. “I say we stick with the original plan. It is 13 years of my life that I can spend close to home and family, versus the worst case scenario of being ripped away to a far off world and never see my family again.” Looking around at everyone, I could tell they were all on the same page as me. Even James was nodding along with the rest of us.

  “That’s settled then.” Dad said and gave me a big hug. “I’ll call Nathan’s Dad to ask if we can borrow the small covered trailer to pack up your things at the apartment.”

  “I should probably go with you.” I said and Dad looked at me questioningly. “To talk to Nathan.”

  “Ok, but are you sure you want to do that today?”

  “The sooner I have things planned out, the sooner we can find any loopholes we are missing.” I sighed and stood up. “Let me go shower and change first.”

  “I want to go with you to pick up the trailer, Ashley,” James piped up. I looked to Kat and she shrugged.

  “Ok, make sure you eat all your food and go to the bathroom first. And don’t forget your shoes.” He nodded to me and started shoveling food into his mouth. I smiled and jogged upstairs to get ready.

  When I came back down with jeans and a sweatshirt, Dad had his keys and was ready to go. Where yesterday we had the air conditioning on, this morning was a bit chilly if the thermometer was to be believed. I helped James get his shoes on, the kid never listens the first time around, grabbed his jacket, and the three of us made our way to the truck. After I snapped James in, I climbed into the front passenger seat and looked at Dad expectantly.