Broken: The Discordant Earth Series 1.0 Read online

  “Kora, do you remember what they taught us in class?” Alyssa asked, spreading the cool cloth over Kora’s fevered forehead. “Did they say you were going to be this sick?”

  “I don’t know. Ela said labor is hard on humans, but I don’t remember her saying anything about being this sick. Alyssa, I feel awful.”

  When Kora doubled over, moaning, Alyssa worried she might be in distress and turned to Jordan in a panic. He grabbed the cloth from her, telling her to find Sebastian.

  Suddenly, Kora doubled over, gasping in pain, then fell back against the bed, unconscious. Alyssa dashed out to search the hallways, finding Sebastian rushing toward her with Nurse Kelly in tow.

  “How is she?” Sebastian grabbed Alyssa’s hand, concern lining his face.

  “Not good, Sebastian. Nurse Kelly, she just passed out, please hurry!”

  “Keep calm, hon, that’s not unusual, she’s going to be fine. And, please, just call me Kelly.”

  “Sorry, Nur—er—Kelly,” Alyssa said, flustered.

  “Take me to her.”

  “Shar’s on her way,” Sebastian said, as they sped through the hallways. “She had to make arrangements for someone to assist Ela with the prenatal class without telling Ela why.”

  “Oh, crap, is that going to cause problems?”

  “Not really. It’s Kelly’s day off, and Shar regularly goes into town to see patients, so no one should notice them missing from the med pod. No worries.”

  “Phew, okay.”

  Kelly made a beeline to Kora as soon as they arrived. Getting out of the way, Alyssa and Sebastian hung back on the sofa, his arm wrapped around her to calm her nervous fidgeting.

  “I’m really worried, Sebastian.”

  “Don’t be. Kelly’s a great nurse, and Shar’ll be here soon, besides Kora’s stronger now than a few days ago, it’ll be fine.”

  “What if the baby doesn’t make it? Not many of them survive,” Alyssa said, tucking her hands in her lap. “I sure hope I don’t get that sick, Sebastian.”

  “Calm down, darlin’. There’s still time before your baby is born.” He pulled her against him, tucking her under his arm. “We’ll make sure we have a good plan for you and keep you as comfortable as possible.”

  Alyssa gaped at Sebastian, her heart skipping a beat. “You want to help me plan for the baby?”

  “You shouldn’t be so shocked,” he said with a low chuckle. “I told you I’ll always be here for you.”

  “Yes, but that’s not the kind of promise anyone can or should make. My parents thought they would always be there for me too.”

  “True enough, but wild horses couldn’t drag me away. As long as I’m alive, I’ll be here for you.”

  “What about war?”

  “Okay, yes, if I have absolutely no choice, I may have to fight—” Sebastian exhaled, his eyes dark with emotion “—but listen, if it comes down to sitting here and watching humanity perish to the Szu’Kara, I’ll do what I have to because I’ll be fighting to save your life. Until then, you’re stuck with me. If you’ll have me that is.”

  Alyssa gasped, teary-eyed. “Of course! You’re the best thing to happen to me in a long time, Sebastian, and I want you in my life for... well... forever!”

  Stunned, Alyssa thanked the heavens for sending her such an amazing man as he leaned over to give her a steamy kiss. Finally feeling calmer, she curled up against him, soaking up his affection.

  “Sebastian?”

  “Hmm?”

  “What about Kayn?”

  “Huh?”

  “Kayn... it’s his baby. How do we deal with him?”

  “One day at a time, darlin’.” He patted her leg. “We’ll deal with him later. Today, let’s handle Kora’s issues.”

  “If she has the baby today, you probably want to keep her in this room. At least until she and Jordan get into a baby routine.”

  “You’re probably right, and I think I’ll be moving in next door until then.”

  “What for?”

  “I don’t like them being over here all alone, and we don’t have any other guests right now, so even though it’s relatively secure, I’d feel better if they had someone nearby.”

  “Oh good, that makes me feel better too. You’re a good person, Sebastian Roberts.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose and smiled, and as they gazed at each other, someone cleared their throat, a sudden reminder they weren’t alone.

  “You lovebirds got a minute?” Jordan watched them with his arms crossed, tapping his foot.

  “Of course, anything for you, little brother.”

  “Kora’s awake, finally. Kelly says she’s definitely in labor, and wants us to grab supplies for the delivery, plus I need to get some baby stuff.”

  “Look at you!” Sebastian chuckled at Jordan’s serious expression. “One week and you’re practically a daddy. You going to make her an honest woman?”

  “Jeez, Bas. It’s a little early to be talking marriage, don’t you think?”

  “I’m just messing with you.” Sebastian pounced on Jordan and put him in a headlock.

  “Come on, man!” Jordan swatted at him. “We got shit to do!”

  “Heh, sorry,” Sebastian said. “Let’s go.”

  The three of them spent the next couple of hours scouring every room and closet for supplies. Jordan managed to locate a cradle and some cloth diapers in a daycare room tucked away in the dormitory, but for the rest of the supplies, they looted the hospital wing.

  By the time they returned, Shar had arrived, and Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the alien nurse, immediately flushing with shame when Kelly snorted at her reaction.

  “No worries, honey.” Kelly tweaked Alyssa’s cheek and grinned. “I’m well trained for this kind of thing. Together, Shar and I have this well in hand.”

  “I’m so happy you were here, Kelly. I didn’t know what to do. I haven’t been to many of the classes. Is this normal, how sick she is, I mean?”

  “Well, the abuse has taken a toll on her body. She’s pretty weak. We have her sedated for now, but Shar will wake her up when it gets closer to baby time.”

  “I didn’t realize she was still so weak. She seemed to be getting better. She’s been thriving in this friendly environment.”

  “I’m sure she has, but Sen caused a lot of damage over time. When she came to the clinic that last time, if you hadn’t been there to rescue her, I would have admitted her and kept her indefinitely. That girl needs a lot of time and rest before she’ll be healthy again. Having this baby isn’t doing her any good, either.”

  “She’s going to make it though, right?”

  “We’re going to do everything we can to help her through this, but I can’t guarantee anything, honey. Her poor little body has been through so much already.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” Alyssa asked, desperate to save her friend.

  “All you can do is wait and pray. Her progress is slow, so it could be a while before the baby comes. Why don’t you go get some rest? Call your Granny. We’ll get you when it’s time or if anything changes.”

  “Thanks, Kelly.”

  “Oh, quick question... Her and Jordan? Are they a thing now?”

  “Yep.” Alyssa huffed a little laugh. “He’s been watching over her since we picked her up at the compound. Pretty sure he’s going to be the substitute daddy from now on.”

  “Wow, nice. Good for her,” she said, nodding, “and him. He’s a good egg that one.”

  “He sure is.”

  Alyssa sidled up to Sebastian, who hovered over Jordan at Kora’s bedside.

  “Kelly says it’s going to be a while before the action starts. We should get out of the way and let them rest. Jordan, you need anything before we go?”

  “Thanks,” he said, “I’m good here. Just going to hang out, keep an eye on things.”

  “Okay, bro. We’ll be in our room. Get us if you need anything. I’ll come in and check on you in a couple
of hours.”

  With that, they left Jordan to watch over Kora. Alyssa hesitated at the door, briefly panicking that this may be the last time she saw her friend alive. Sebastian slid his arm around her waist to guide her away as tears flowed unfettered from her eyes.

  “Come on, darlin’, you need a nap.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”

  “Sure you will. Your substitute teddy bear will be with you.”

  She giggled and swatted his chest.

  Surprisingly, Alyssa fell asleep as soon as Sebastian tucked her in.

  ***

  Silence.

  Complete and utter silence.

  Alyssa had clung to Sebastian, terrified of the silence. For hours, they’d listened to her moaning and groaning, and before the silence, the poor woman had screamed so loud for so long Alyssa had clamped her hands over her ears.

  A couple of times it got quiet for a few minutes before Kora began again, a hollow echo of screams filtering through the wall, making Alyssa want to crawl out of her skin. When the silence stretched on for more than a few minutes, she and Sebastian got anxious, her more so than him with his natural mellowness.

  Alyssa had started nervously pacing the room, so Sebastian ushered her out into the hallway, knocking on the door, trying to get some news on the mother and baby. Kelly poked her head out and waved them away, her face giving away nothing as she quietly shut the door in their faces.

  Now, after hours of pacing the hallway, Alyssa leaned against Sebastian, the wall barely holding them up as he drifted in and out of sleep. She felt so wired she barely blinked.

  “She’s still alive, right?” Alyssa whispered. “They would have told us if she were dead, wouldn’t they, Sebastian?”

  “Mm hmm.” He squeezed the arm draped over her shoulders.

  “Maybe they sedated her again... maybe the pain was too much and they mercifully knocked her out for a C-section.”

  “Maybe...”

  Alyssa banged her head against Sebastian’s arm, gnashing her teeth. “Ugh, this not knowing is killing me!”

  “I know, darlin’, but you’ve got to be patient. There’s nothing you can do right now. Kora knows you’re here, and I’m sure she appreciates the moral support.”

  “Patient...? It’s been over twenty-four hours, Sebastian. How much more patience do I need? Why hasn’t Jordan come out here to update us? Or Kelly? They know we’re waiting!”

  “Darlin’, chill. Waiting isn’t dangerous for us, but leaving Kora’s side might be dangerous to her. They have to manage their priorities.”

  “I’m sorry.” She turned away, blushing. “You’re absolutely right. I think I’m just so tired my brain has given up being civil. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

  Grateful for his unending patience, Alyssa hugged Sebastian tight and reached up to kiss him on the chin, making him chuckle. When the door to Kora’s room squeaked open, Alyssa pounced on the emerging person as Sebastian stumbled to the side after losing his resting post.

  “Whoa, girl, back off some, would you?” Jordan held up his hands to fend her off, dark circles surrounding his bloodshot eyes.

  “Oh, my God, Jordan! What the hell is going on? Why is it so damn quiet in there?”

  “Sorry about that. I should’ve let you know what was happening but I was too worried about Kora to think about anything else.”

  “Sure, bro, we understand.” Sebastian thumped Jordan on the back.

  “Well? Is she alive?”

  “What?” Jordan yelped, his face screwed up in confusion. “Yeah—of course, she’s alive. Damn.”

  “Oh, thank heavens,” Alyssa said with a sigh, falling against Sebastian. “It’s been so damn quiet after all that screaming, Jordan. We didn’t know what to think.”

  “She’s alive and exhausted.” He scrubbed his face with both hands. “She’s feeding the baby right now, but we had to prop her arms up because she’s so weak.”

  “The baby?” Alyssa squeaked, shock stiffening her body. “The baby’s here? Why didn’t we hear it crying? Oh, my God, the baby’s here!”

  Alyssa slapped her palms on Sebastian’s chest, a huge grin growing on her face, before grabbing Jordan in a bear hug as the guys both laughed at her.

  “The baby...” Alyssa’s eye glazed over for a second. “Jordan, what is it? Boy or a girl?”

  “Girl.” Jordan puffed his chest up, eyes glittering. “Kora named her Lyssa.”

  Stunned, Alyssa fell back against the front of Sebastian’s body, tears popping up, blurring her vision. “No way... That’s, that’s just wow.”

  “Come on, Kora wants you to see Lyssa before they take a nap.”

  In a daze, Alyssa followed Jordan, Sebastian guiding her by the arm, and as soon as she entered the room, her eyes locked onto the tiny bundle cradled in Kora’s arms.

  Kora’s eyes were closed but she opened them when she sensed the three of them standing over her. She gave them a weak smile, and Alyssa grinned back, putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “You want to hold her?” Kora whispered with a strained, raspy voice.

  “Can I?”

  Alyssa reached for the swaddled infant Kora’s shaky arms offered up. Snuggling the tiny bundle, she nudged the pink blanket away from the precious little face, sucking in a shocked breath as her heart melted at the sight of this newborn baby of mixed alien and human DNA.

  Baby Lyssa, so beautiful, so stunning, so... angelic. Her eyes were closed, but Alyssa could tell they were larger than a normal baby’s eyes, and her soft, little head was free of any hair but she was a newborn... she could get hair later. Her pale skin had a noticeable shimmer, almost opalescent, and her tiny fingers were long and thin, her alien traits definitely noticeable, but human newborns always look a little alien, right?

  Alyssa stared, awed and elated, running a finger across Lyssa’s cheek, feeling the silky-smooth baby skin. The touch made the infant open her eyes, and staring up at Alyssa were the most mesmerizing orbs she’d ever seen.

  Clear, sky-blue irises surrounded a pin-point pupil, set in a brilliant-white surface with swirly veins of glittery silver marbling the sclera. The size and shape of the infant’s eyes reminded Alyssa of the cartoon characters from her childhood coloring books, large, almost caricature size, but not scary bulbous.

  Sebastian peeked over Alyssa’s shoulder at the angelic bundle, and overjoyed at the beauty laying in her arms, she leaned her head against his.

  “Isn’t she amazing?”

  “She sure is, darlin’.”

  “Kora?” Alyssa asked, startling the dozing mother. “Why’d you name her Lyssa?”

  “Because I want her to always know who saved her and her mom.”

  Alyssa’s heart melted into a puddle, and tears sprang up in her eyes again, spilling down her cheeks. “That’s so sweet, Kora. She is so amazing, like a little angel. And her eyes, oh gosh, they are just so stunning.”

  “They are, aren’t they? I’ve never seen anything like them.”

  “Me neither... Shar? Why have we never seen pictures of babies in our class?”

  “The commander does not allow photographs of the children. It could be dangerous for the radicals to know what the children look like. Humanity is not known for accepting that which it does not understand. We keep our young at the secure Nursery, and those that make it to adulthood are employed only at the most secure sites with little to no human interaction.”

  “Wow... that’s kind of scary. Are there very many adult half-breeds?”

  “There are about two to three hundred worldwide. Only an average of one in five hundred offspring survives to adulthood.”

  “You’re kidding,” Alyssa said, scoffing. “Those numbers are awful. What does that mean for my baby?”

  “Normally, we would carefully monitor your progress with the other women,” Shar said. “Since you have been living off-compound for the past month, we have been somewhat lax in your care. You will need to return to a reg
ular schedule of checkups and classes, as soon as possible. Ela is quite concerned.”

  “I understand,” Alyssa said. “I figured I’d need to get back into the swing of things soon anyway. I need to talk to Kayn about a part-time work schedule.”

  “I’m sure he will be amenable once you have gotten a full checkup from Ela.”

  “I’ll call him tomorrow after I get some sleep.”

  Kelly slid her hands under the baby, taking her from Alyssa, and placed her in the cradle beside Kora’s bed. Jordan rushed to hover over the child, fussing with her blanket as Alyssa and Sebastian excused themselves, giving the little family some privacy.

  In their room, they crawled into bed exhausted, Alyssa curling up against Sebastian’s side and watching him from under his arm. His eyes were shut, his face relaxed and peaceful.

  “I’m so relieved Kora and the baby are alive.”

  “Yep.”

  “Sebastian, we need to talk about what happens next.”

  His eyes popped open and he glanced down at her, his brow furrowed in confusion.

  “I’m going to have to return to work if I plan to help the coalition. Plus, I have my prenatal classes to attend and my regular checkups. I can’t stay here anymore, and I have to decide if I want to continue living at Granny’s or move back into my quarters on the compound.”

  “Okay…”

  “If I stay at Granny’s, I’m going to have to see about getting a vehicle. I can’t walk back and forth to the compound all the time.”

  “No, you can’t. Especially since you’re going to get big and fat.” He winked and poked her belly.

  Alyssa giggled softly, poking him back until he chuckled.

  “Will you still like me when I’m fat and wobbly?”

  “I’ll still like you if I have to haul you around in a wheelbarrow.”

  Alyssa scowled at him, her lips puckering as she tried not to grin, and pinched his side.

  “Ow—” he howled, pretending to be hurt “—be nice. You’re not fat yet.”

  “Well, I will be, and I’m probably going to be way bigger than Kora was, you know.”

  “Really?” Sebastian gasped, eyes wide and glittering.

  “You know that.” Alyssa swatted at him. “Kora is so much smaller than I am. My baby is going to be a giant.”