The Friend

"What do you mean I'm one of you?" Eli gasped as the ground continued to shake.

Before Kael could answer, a bright light flashed around them. When Eli could see again, they were in a forest, their car nowhere in sight.

I teleported us again, Kael explained, leaning against a tree. His silver skin looked almost gray now. But I cannot do it again. I am too weak.

Eli looked around, trying to figure out where they were. Tall pine trees circled them, and in the distance, he could see mountains.

"Is this near where your ship piece is buried?" Eli asked.

Yes. About ten miles north. Kael slid down to sit at the base of the tree. But I need to rest first.

Eli sat beside him, his mind spinning with questions. "Kael, you said I'm one of you. What did you mean?"

Kael's violet eyes met his. Your DNA is partly Lumari. One of your predecessors was my kind.

"That's impossible," Eli whispered.

It explains why you can hear me when no other person can. Why we connected so quickly.

Eli touched his very human-looking skin. "But I don't look like you."

The Lumari genes are hidden in you, dormant. But they are there.

As Eli tried to process this shocking news, his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, shocked it still worked. The screen showed Marcus's name.

"It's Marcus," Eli said, his voice tight with anger. "He betrayed us."

Answer it, Kael pushed. We need to know what they're planning.

Eli paused, then accepted the call. "What do you want, traitor?"

"Eli, thank God," Marcus's voice sounded strange, strained. "Where are you? Are you safe?"

"Like you care," Eli snapped. "You led Kane's men right to us."

"That wasn't me, Eli. I mean, it was me, but not... Look, I need to see you. Alone. I can explain everything."

Eli laughed bitterly. "So you can trap us again? No thanks."

"They have my sister," Marcus said, his voice shaking. "They threatened to hurt her if I didn't help them. But I'm done being their puppet. I want to help you."

He is telling the truth, Kael's voice flowed into Eli's mind. I can feel his fear... and his sadness.

Eli covered the phone. "How can you know that? You're not even hearing him."

Your connection to him allows me to sense his feelings through you. He is scared, but earnest.

Eli took a deep breath. "Fine, Marcus. Where do you want to meet?"

"There's a diner called Ruby's about twenty miles west of the institute. I can be there in an hour."

"Make it two hours," Eli said. "And come alone."

"I will. And Eli... I'm sorry."

Eli hung up without answering. He looked at Kael. "This could be a trap."

It could be. But we need friends. And if he truly wants to help...

"Then we need him," Eli finished. "But I can't leave you alone."

I will heal enough to go with you. But I should stay hidden. Your friend must make his choice without my involvement.

Two hours later, they reached Ruby's Diner, a small building with peeling red paint and a blinking "OPEN" sign. Kael, wearing Eli's hoodie pulled low over his face, waited in the woods behind the diner.

I will watch through our connection, Kael assured him. If anything feels wrong, I will know.

Inside, the diner was nearly empty. A waitress wiped down counters while an old man drank a cup of coffee in the corner. Marcus sat in a seat at the back, nervously tapping his fingers on the table.

"Eli," he said, standing as Eli neared. "You came."

"Sit down," Eli ordered coldly. "And tell me why I shouldn't turn around and walk out right now."

Marcus slumped back into the seat. "I deserve that. But please, just listen."

As Eli sat down, he felt Kael's presence in his mind, watching, listening.

"Three months ago," Marcus began, "men came to my apartment. They showed me pictures of my sister being followed. They said if I didn't help them, she would have a 'accident.' I didn't have a choice."

"You could have told me," Eli said.

"They were watching me every second." Marcus ran a hand through his hair. "But when I saw what they were planning to do to your alien friend... I couldn't be part of it anymore."

"His name is Kael," Eli said. "And he's not just an alien. He's a person."

Marcus leaned forward. "Is he really from another planet? Kane says he's just a genetic experiment gone wrong."

Eli snorted. "Kane is a liar. Kael is a prince from a world called Astoria. His people are peaceful. They were trying to make contact with Earth when his ship crashed."

"A prince?" Marcus's eyes widened. "You're joking, right?"

"No, I'm dead serious. His people are called the Lumari. They have silver skin and can do things with their minds that seem like magic to us."

Marcus shook his head in disbelief. "Next you'll tell me he can read minds."

Tell him I can hear him right now, Kael proposed in Eli's head.

"Actually, he can," Eli said. "In fact, he can hear you right now. Through me."

Marcus laughed nervously. "Come on, Eli. I know things are crazy, but—"

Tell him about the scar on his right shoulder from when he fell off his bike at age nine.

Eli frowned. "How did you know that?"

I saw it in his memories when we connected. The memories he connects with you.

"Kael says you have a scar on your right shoulder from falling off your bike when you were nine."

The color drained from Marcus's face. "How could you possibly know that? I've never told anyone at work about that."

"Because Kael is reading your thoughts through me. He's real, Marcus. Everything I'm telling you is real."

Marcus looked around nervously. "Is he... here?"

"He's waiting outside. I can bring you to meet him, but I need to know I can trust you. Really trust you."

Marcus took a deep breath. "My sister is safe now. I sent her to stay with our cousins in Canada. Kane doesn't know yet." He pulled out his phone and slid it across the table. "Take it. They might be tracking it."

He is being honest, Kael revealed.

"Okay," Eli said, making his choice. "I'll take you to him. But understand something—if you betray us again, Kael won't be as forgiving as me."

They left the diner and walked toward the woods. As they reached the tree line, Eli called out, "Kael? It's safe."

A figure stepped out from behind a big oak tree. Kael had the hoodie pulled down now, showing his silver face and glowing violet eyes.

Marcus stopped in his tracks, his mouth hanging open. "Oh my God," he whispered. "He's real. He's actually real."

"Prince Kael of Astoria," Eli said, "meet Dr. Marcus Reed."

Kael inclined his head in a slight bow. It is good to meet you properly, Marcus Reed.

Marcus jumped. "I heard him! In my head! How is that possible?"

"Kael can connect with human minds," Eli stated. "Especially mine, because..." He paused, still not ready to share his own secret.

"Because you've built a bond," Marcus finished for him. "This is incredible. The most important scientific discovery in history, and Kane wants to cut him up like a lab rat."

We need to move, Kael reminded them. Kane will be looking.

"Where are we going?" Marcus asked as they started walking deeper into the trees.

"The mountains," Eli said. "There's a piece of Kael's ship buried there. It has technology that can help him contact his people."

Marcus nodded. "I can help. I know these woods—I used to hike here. And I have supplies in my car."

As they reached Marcus's car hidden on a dirt road, Eli felt something strange. A tingle at the back of his neck. He looked at Kael, who had gone very still.

We are being watched, Kael warned.

Marcus opened his trunk to show camping gear, food, and water. "I came prepared," he said proudly.

Eli scanned the trees but saw nothing. "How close are they?"

Not human watchers, Kael said, his mental voice tight with fear. Something else.

A high-pitched whine filled the air. Overhead, the clouds began to swirl, making a perfect circle. Light poured down from the center of the circle, getting brighter and brighter.

"What is that?" Marcus asked, covering his eyes.

That is not my people, Kael said. And not your government either.

The light began to take shape, making what looked like a doorway in the air. Through it, Eli could see stars and blackness.

"What's happening?" Eli asked, grabbing Kael's arm.

Someone else has found us, Kael said, his voice grim. Someone who has been hunting my kind for ages.

A figure appears in the doorway of light. Tall and thin, with skin like black oil and eyes that glowed red. It looked at them and smiled, showing rows of needle-like teeth.

"Prince Kael," it said in a voice like breaking glass. "At last."

Run, Kael ordered, pushing Eli toward the car. Both of you. NOW!

They rushed into Marcus's car. Marcus stumbled with the keys, his hands shaking badly.

"What is that thing?" he shouted as the engine roared to life.

"Just drive!" Eli yelled.

As they sped away, Eli looked back. The thing was floating down from its light doorway, more of its kind appearing behind it.

It found me because of our link, Kael's voice was filled with guilt. I should have been more careful.

"What is it, Kael?" Eli asked. "What are those things?"

They are called the Void. Hunters. Collectors. Kael's eyes were wide with fear. And they don't just want my technology, Eli.

The car swerved around a corner, tires screeching.

They want something far more valuable.

The road ahead suddenly erupted in black flames, causing Marcus to slam on the brakes. They skidded to a stop as three more of the dark creatures appeared in front of them.

They want you, Eli, Kael whispered in his mind. Because you are the last member of the Lumari royal family on Earth.