Page 33 of Interstellar Love Song (Villains in Space #3)

MICAH

The last time we’d visited Dionaea was to tell the Hydrassians they’d fucked around and found out, so it was no surprise sisters Uulvin and Uuktar were less than thrilled by our unannounced arrival.

Good thing I brought some terror twins of my own.

“And to what do we owe the pleasure of such an esteemed visit to our lowly planet?” Uuktar hissed, rolling all six sets of snake eyes in Leeloo’s direction. “Are the Eki planning to trap us within our own caverns next?—”

“Pipe down, danger noodle,” Dre scoffed. “Or we’ll fry your little brains.”

Well, this is off to a good start.

“We actually come in peace,” I cut in, giving Dre a warning look to simmer down. “But we expect your complete cooperation with today’s exchange.”

“Or we’ll fry your brains,” Dre repeated .

Before I could put this fool in his place, the bossier twin winced and rubbed his temple.

“Brat,” he muttered.

“Behave,” Gabe snickered. “Listen to Daddy Sunshine.”

Daddy Sunshine?!

I was already in danger of losing control of my first official mission as Interstellar Ambassador, but if there was one thing I could count on, it was for these psychic snakes to take the attention off me by flapping their gums.

“What sort of compensation will we receive for our presumed cooperation?” Uulvin sneered. “Considering you successfully stripped us of our ability to earn a living wage.”

I already have a headache.

“Has your extensive treasure trove of ill-gotten gains not sufficed during these trying times?” Ziggy snarked from where he stood in the back of our group, arms awkwardly crossed over his hot AF baby bump.

I did that.

“You are with child?” Uulvin craned their necks for a better look at my Space Daddy, always on gossip watch.

“Interesting…” Uuktar added, slyly glancing at their sister. “It reminds us of the prophecy concerning the rise of the Morning Light, does it not?”

Oh?

“Indeed,” Uulvin confirmed, but didn’t elaborate.

Of all the times to shut your traps …

Sighing, I glanced around, noticing there seemed to be more Dionaea muscipula out in the open than I remembered.

They didn’t seem particularly interested in us, but the Hydrassians kept shooting the oversized Venus flytraps nervous glances anyway.

I suddenly recalled Ziggy explaining how planets tended to be named after their most powerful inhabitants, which meant—in this case—the flora was more formidable than the fauna.

Now I wonder if the hierarchy was being psychically manipulated before now…

Determined to stay on track, I returned my focus to the not-so-welcoming party. “Okay, here’s the plan. We’ll start today’s negotiations with everything you know about this prophecy, and then we’ll discuss how you can get your psychic powers back.”

“If you behave, that is,” Dre unnecessarily added, and I wished I could bitch-slap his brain the way his twin could.

No wonder Theo acts out.

By some miracle, Theo hadn’t joined us today.

This was thanks to Bron reminding him that the nearest Muonova had some of the best adult stalls of any red light market around.

It actually sounded like Bron wanted to tag along with the chaos gremlin, but Honnor quickly tasked their life partner with helping the True Stellarians settle in instead.

Buddy disaster movie averted.

So it was just me, Zig, Leeloo, and the twins who’d arrived via Lodger or star hopping. I’d offered to star hop the entire ship to get us to Dionaea faster, but my mentor had advised against it, warning that even seemingly unlimited power needed to be conserved for when it counts.

My biggest concern was that the Planet Eater would not be satisfied by munching on the moons. Their motives were clearly more calculated than random, and I couldn’t shake the suspicion there was a predetermined end game here we just couldn’t see.

Maybe because it’s in another dimension…

While following the grumbling Hydrassians into their Eki-created cavernous compound, I couldn’t help wondering what was on the other side of the Planet Eater’s black hole.

As predicted, the Star Unit soldier who’d returned couldn’t remember much from their experience.

It was as if passing through the in-between space had wiped their memory clean.

Like a dream you forget the instant you wake up.

“We will see you in our grandest receiving room,” Uulvin’s voice echoed off the sedimentary walls as they arrogantly waved us on, as if we were just another gaggle of eager customers ready to suck their psychic dicks for vague prophecies.

The delusions persist.

The Hydrassians had legitimate powers of prophecy, but that didn’t mean we’d forgotten how they’d chosen greed over the greater good. Their lies had nearly caused Pedro’s species to go extinct, and we wouldn’t have reached out unless we were desperate for help.

All that aside, today’s visit was more about us needing their numbers —as a psychic distraction while the twins infiltrated the collective well. Unfortunately, this meant their considerable egos were inevitably going to get stroked, but I could still preemptively put ‘em in their place.

“This is your one and only chance to redeem yourselves,” I announced as we entered the large antechamber lit with bioluminescent sconces. “So no tricks.”

Or else we’ll fry your brains.

The seers sourly nodded as they sat across from us in the circle of cushions filling the space.

Dre plopped down on my right, radiating FAFO energy, while Gabe got comfortable on my left.

Zig loomed behind me, per usual, while Leeloo chose to casually stroll around the circle and lean against the wall just out of the sisters’ periphery.

“Why must you lurk, sorcerer?” Uuktar hissed, awkwardly glaring over their shoulder. “It is unnecessary to crowd us in such a large space. We require concentration!”

“What is the matter, Uuktar?” Leeloo purred. “Do you miss the peaceful seaside lodging we so graciously constructed for you on Lacertus?”

They’re an icon and a legend.

Before the drama could escalate, a dozen Hydrassians shuffled in behind us to fill the remaining cushions, and I realized things were about to get extra witchy up in here.

Once everyone was seated, Uulvin spread their arms wide in greeting, but before they could open their mouths for a grandiose speech, my man interrupted.

“Prophesy first,” Ziggy growled, taking charge like the bad bitch he was.

Mine. All mine .

Uulvin huffed but obeyed. “Very well. As you know, the previous Astrum Force Command sought out our unique services to ensure their power would remain unchallenged. We confirmed none posed a threat to their rule… except one of their own. A ‘child of two rebels,’ destined to connect to their stellar collision and lead their people out of the dark of ignorance and into the light of awareness.”

“Astrum Force did not listen,” Leeloo cut in—a statement, not a question.

“Of course not!” Uuktar snapped, half-turning to glare at the lurker again. “Astrum Force Command did not believe in the existence of stellar collisions—could not fathom that, at one time, their own people existed more in the spirit realm than the physical?—”

“The collective well,” Ziggy interrupted, successfully silencing the tirade. “Yes, we are familiar with this realm now, thanks to our stellar collision bond.”

Uuktar squinted in our direction. “If you are so well-versed, why are you seeking our services?”

“Prophecy first,” I reminded them with a smirk.

Uuktar grumbled, so Uulvin continued on their behalf.

“All this you know, as you have lived it, but our original warning heralded ‘a child of two rebels twice over.’ Astrum Force disregarded this detail, along with the rest, but my sister and I often wondered if it meant the rebellion would span generations.”

Ziggy sharply inhaled, and I glanced up to see him covering his belly protectively. “I will not force my child to fight.”

Oh, Space Daddy…

Uulvin appeared to soften, reminding me they weren’t completely evil. “As you know, Stellarian, we cannot outrun our destiny. If it eases your mind, please know the prophecy implied the existence of this child would simply spark great change—a new dawn filled with true purpose.”

This vague reassurance seemed to placate my starry ball of anxiety, but I still had questions.

I mean… have we met?

“A true purpose for Stellarians specifically, or all species on the Caelestis family tree?” I bluntly asked, knowing the Hydrassians had a history of lying by omission.

I’d never seen a snake look surprised before, but all twelve heads on the sisters were uncharacteristically speechless. Momentarily.

“While it has seemed as if the events of the prophecy have set off a positive chain reaction throughout the Caelestis lineage, there is always an opposing force.” Uulvin paused before adding, “For example, with creation…”

“Comes destruction,” Ziggy murmured, sadness flavoring our bond as he no doubt thought of Stellaria’s missing moons.

I couldn’t save them all…

“Exactly.” Uuktar nodded decisively. “And it appears you and your stellar collision—a Caelestis from a different branch—have merged these opposing forces to potentially create the next catalyst.”

They pointed at Ziggy’s baby bump, causing me to narrow my eyes while the twins growled protectively.

Don’t mess with the family, fam .

Uulvin raised their clawed hands in surrender. “We mean your child no harm! We have simply never heard of a Stellarian and an Eki reproducing, but it is a good thing in our opinions. Opposing forces are the foundation of the universe and duality is necessary for balance.”

There’s the witchy woo we came for!

“If that is so, why is a Planet Eater eliminating the weak from their own lineage?” Leeloo casually asked, graciously moving to where the psychic sisters could better watch the mic drop. “From our lineage?”

The Hydrassians froze before simultaneously slow-blinking. “Planet Eaters do not exist,” Uuktar carefully said while Uulvin glanced around nervously.

Oh, now this is interesting…

I rested my chin on my fist, smiling sweetly while watching my opponents like prey.

“I gotta tell ya, Uuktar, I wouldn’t have expected you of all creatures to say that, especially since both Hydrassians and Planet Eaters are known to hang out in the collective well.

Not recently, in your case, since we stripped you of your powers…

” I laughed breezily before sitting back.

“Which miiiight become a problem for you, full disclosure.”

“W-what do you mean?” Uulvin stuttered as Uuktar’s impassive facade started to crack.

“Hydrassians are an extremely distant cousin on the Caelestis tree,” Leeloo hummed thoughtfully. “And your distinct lack of powers could very well mark this planet for culling.”

Whoops .

“CULLING?!” Uuktar shrieked, indignant as always. “After how respectfully we’ve traversed their collective well, that is how the Musaa would repay us—with death?!”

Musaa, huh?

Noted.

“Not death,” Ziggy chuckled. “Just relocation to an adjacent universe.”

The seers froze again, only this time it was from fear, not guilt.

“What do you mean?” Uulvin repeated, eyes widening. “Are you suggesting there are multiple universes?!”

Now I was really confused. “How could you be a regular in the collective well and not be aware it’s connected to a multiverse?”

Now all the Hydrassians in the room were chattering amongst themselves, and I realized we’d just told these know-it-alls something they didn’t know.

“I think we broke them,” Gabe whispered.

“Good,” Dre whispered back, grinning like the villain he was.

Uuktar raised a hand, abruptly silencing the cacophony, before refocusing on me. “If what you are saying is true, that means the visions our kind have received for eons have been tainted! How are we to know if what we have seen comes from this universe or the next?”

Valid.

Unfortunately for these fools, their existential crisis had just given me the perfect opening for negotiations .

“I’ll tell you what…” I tapped my lip as if the idea had only just occurred to me. “How about my psychics lift the hold on your powers, so y’all can take a little trip together into the collective well to investigate?”

I expected a counter-offer—or at least some healthy suspicion from these opportunistic queens—but apparently the Musaas had just earned the top spot as Hydrassians’ Most Hated.

Behind the Eki, of course.

“I will accompany My-kuh and Zig-ee back to the ship,” Leeloo breezily added, gliding past the sisters, close enough to make them flinch. “So as not to ruin your concentration.”

“Good riddance,” Uuktar muttered as my mentor reached us.

Right back atcha.

“One more thing.” Leeloo spun to face the circle again, making the Hydrassians flinch. “If you attempt to harm these two creatures,” they gestured at Gabe and Dre, “I will return with enough Eki to create a prison so impenetrable, not even My-kuh could free you.”

Dang.

The seers wisely didn’t reply, but I had one more question before we left. “You called it ‘their’ collective well just now… Why do you feel that realm belongs to the Musaas?”

Uuktar stared at me curiously for a moment before replying, “It is our understanding that there is only one Musaa, and when they consumed the last of the planet-eating Markarians, the collective well was formed. Inside them.”

Well, shit .

This added a new level of difficulty to the plan of accessing the collective well undetected, but I was determined to see this through.

Stubborn AF, more like it.

“There are actually two Musaas,” I offered, hoping there were only two. “And our psychics need to speak to the other one.”

The one not playing God.

“Give us access to our powers and one hour,” Uuktar growled, looking ready to psychically rumble. “We shall assist your seers with uncovering the truth—for all of us.”