Free Polaris by Beth Bowland Page B

nodded. “Yes. Earth’s atmosphere has that odd effect on us for some reason. But, we’ve learned that if we have to interface with your environment on a regular basis, we need to keep a fresh supply available,” she said as she ran her fingers across her wool collar.
    “The carpet that Zion brought home will keep me vitalized for several months.”
    Aaron’s thoughts shifted when he heard a tapping against glass. He looked around, trying to see where the sound was coming from when Zion rose and went to the window. She pulled back the curtains and opened the window. In flew a falcon. It wore a small gold chain around its neck with a tiny diamond medallion hanging from it.
    “Run,” Aaron screamed as he scrambled to hide beneath the table. “He’s after me!”

Chapter 8

     
     
    Zion’s smile turned into a broad grin. “Hello, Zimmare. We just finished dinner. Would you care for a bite to eat?” she asked as she closed the window.
    D1 stooped and poked his head under the table. “Why are you hiding down there?”
    “I dunno. I’m not so sure that falcon is not somehow related to Nakal and those Annihilators.”
    “Oh, pish-posh,” Zion said and reached under the table to help Aaron out. “The only person he is related to is me.”
    Aaron crawled from beneath the table and reluctantly sat back on his chair.
    “Aaron,” Zion began. “I’d like you to meet my brother, Zimmare.”
    The falcon nodded at Aaron, and his diamond medallion sparkled. A silvery aura rose up around the falcon until he was barely visible. Slowly, a metamorphosis took place. When the aura vanished, standing before Aaron was a man, sharply dressed, clean-cut, and with the same translucent gray eyes as Zion.
    “You two sorta look alike.”
    Zion looped her arm through her brother’s. “We’re twins.” She did a little dance on her toes.
    “At ease, soldier,” Zimmare said. His monotone voice didn’t give a hint of his current mood.
    Aaron gulped. Zimmare’s personality was much different from his lively sister’s.
    Zimmare crossed his arms and stared directly at Aaron for a moment before speaking. “I’ll only be with you for a moment. I’ve come to deliver a clue.”
    “Oh, I love clues!” Zion clapped her hands and did another twirl on her toes. “Let us hear it. I hope it’s a good one.” She stopped twirling, winked at Aaron, and gave Zimmare her full attention.
    “Zimmare,” Aaron began, “may I ask you a question?”
    Zimmare nodded. “Certainly.”
    Aaron pulled the necklace that held the falcons from beneath his shirt. “I’m trying to understand the game, and I was told in order to get your help I had to hold this and think about the falcons. But earlier, you and your crew came barreling out of the sky to my rescue without me doing that. How?”
    “Yes, I can understand your confusion,” Zimmare answered. “Anytime a member of the opposing team is found to have broken any of the rules—in your case Sirius did a false start in a poor attempt to get ahead—the other team will get an extra clue or free card to use at their discretion.”
    “Oh, okay,” Aaron replied. “Mr. Kessler mentioned something about that, but he didn’t seem to be so sure of himself. So, it was a free card that was used. Thanks for the help.”
    “Your team members will have us watching out for you even during times you think you’re alone,” Zimmare said. “Also, be careful of Mr. Kessler. He appears to want to help you, but trust me, he does nothing unless it benefits him as well.”
    Zion sighed. “He’s been a stinker ever since he played and lost.”
    Aaron sat up. “I thought if you lost you were sent to the nothingness ?”
    “Yes, he was at one point,” Zimmare answered. “But you can also be removed and used as an initiator in future games.”
    D1 cleared his throat. “He was a great initiator, and he actually won that match and received his new life, but he became greedy and wasn’t happy being the