Star Seed

Prologue

We all heard the stories of the battles. Earthlings weren't alone in the universe. They came in peace, and everything was fine for a while: but their arrival opened up our planet to others. Species who were driven to conquer, not coexist. It was these aliens, the Navratri race that struck fear into the hearts of millions. Their name, now synonymous with destruction still lived on. Most of the population was wiped out, the war was over but at what cost? We rebuilt our world and the stories became legends and the species blended together, forgetting after so many centuries their differences until one day, it was nothing more than a fable kids were told at night.

The world was now divided into two classes of people, those who took the invaders technology and morphed it into frightening advances, and those who rejected all changes that had ever been made. In this great divide of humanity there were still those who lived among us who believed in the stories. Those who knew the real reason for the visitor’s journey to earth. They say that all legends are based in truth, and this one was no different. I didn’t know just how true they were though. At least not until it was too late. Too late to save anyone, including myself.

Every good fable needs a lynchpin and this one was no different. The aliens said they would return, using the cover of night to exact their revenge on our war-torn world. It was a threat that faded with the stories until they were all but gone. Nothing more than a mother’s threat to her unruly children at the end of a long day. No one expected for them to return, there was nothing left for them to take. At least that’s what we thought. How we knew so little would always amaze me. How could we know that earth held the key for them? In a world of darkness, where anger and violence ruled, how would one woman change the fate of an entire race, let alone two?

Chapter One

The warm August air whipped across my face. Sending strands of my golden hair whipping free from the loose tie I used to pull it back. I glared out into the woods, angry with myself for letting my mother talk me into not cutting my hair once again. She thought it was beautiful, like a halo sent from heaven. I just thought it was a pain in the ass. How could I hunt and provide for us both if I had to keep stopping to control the unruly locks?

Movement from the far corner of my eye made me freeze and raise my bow in the direction it came from. A small elk moved into my sightline as I steadied my breathing. Slowly and silently, I drew back, ready to take down the animal. The familiar sound of an arrow being released made me look up before I could fire. I watched as the elk dropped to the ground, killed by another hunter.

Son of a, I muttered.

Don’t worry kid, maybe you’ll get one next time, said Collin.

I glared at him, That was my shot you prick, you already have your two for the season.

He grinned at me, I know, this one is for the elders of the village. You can never be too helpful you know.

My cheeks started to flush, I knew that I was going to lose my temper. Collin was two years my senior at twenty. He was the village’s golden boy. All the girls wanted to be with him and all of the adults loved him to pieces. All I saw in him was a pompous jerk though. He was always looking for the next great conquest and a few months ago, he had set his sights on me. I wasn’t biting, I didn’t want anything to do with him. Of course, that made him want me all the more.

Until now, I had just ignored him. As my birthday approached though and I became eligible to take a partner, he had become increasingly persistent. When that hadn’t worked, he’d all but promised me that he would find a way to make me need him. Collin had no idea that I was one step ahead of him. I had enough small game in my cellar to keep me and my mother both for the winter. It was one of the few perks of not having a father around to enforce the village curfew. I could sneak out and hunt when the rest of the world slept.

Whatever, enjoy your prize. I hissed as I turned away.

He grabbed my arm to stop me. I would be more than happy to share with you, for a small favor.

Unless that favor includes me slicing off a few of those grimy fingers of yours, then no thanks.

He turned red but didn’t let go, instead, his fingers dug deeper into my arm. One of these days Mira, you are going to be mine.

Not a chance in hell Collin.

You think just because your mother is around to protect you that you can do whatever you want? Sooner or later the council will realize that you haven’t wed, and I will be right there to take your hand.

Then I will cut it off and still live a better life than I would as your partner.

I jerked my arm free from his grasp and jogged away from him. I hadn’t let him see it but his words had shaken me. I knew only too well what the elders were capable of. Collin was more than just a pretty face; he was the high councilmen’s son. It wasn’t often that he didn’t get what he wanted. I had thought about running away but I couldn’t leave my mother alone, not with her poor health. I would just have to stay and fight for as long as possible. Then, if things became unbearable, we would leave together and risk the wastelands together. I would die before handing myself over to Collin willingly.

I burst through the door of our small cabin just in time to see Heather, my mother’s nurse, leave her room.

How is she? I asked.

Heather shook her head, I don’t know what ails her Mira, but it’s pulling her into the darkness quickly.

Is there nothing that you can do? I begged.

"I can make her comfortable,