Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets) by Debbie Behan Page B

it’s fantasy until I see it with my own eyes. Okay?’
    He nodded and agreed.
    ‘So, you’re a group of trained soldiers with extraordinary gifts. I get that but what do you do? It must be pretty top secret,’ she asked inquisitively.
    ‘Yes it is, sweetheart. What we do can never be spoken of in front of any other person ever. You see, here on earth in astronomy, celestial spheres defined by exact boundaries are classed as star groupings or constellations and have been studied by humans for centuries. As children you’re taught to look up into the sky and find shapes such as the Milky Way, the Three Sisters, the Teapot and the most popular, the Southern Cross, better known as the Crux.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Well, powerful leaders have ruled the star constellations for many lifetimes. The rulers fight and bicker over many of the same things we do here on earth. You know politics, power, sex and greed. If we left them to destroy each other, the loss of the celestial spheres would create a universal change to the solar system. Planets and our own earth’s gravitational force would change and we could collide with other planets, their moons or even the sun, any of which would be fatal to all life on earth.’
    He stood up and stretched. Cassie took the hand he offered her and they walked towards the car park where she could hear the sound of a car coming in the distance. ‘We are called the Cloud Riders, Cassie. We are the peacekeepers of the constellations, sent to ensure that law and order’s restored at all costs. If a star is unable to be controlled we have the ability to extinguish the problem. You’ve probably seen shooting stars. That is them trying to run. They never succeed but they do try.’
    ‘So, if Zoren is your boss and lives up there how does he contact you?’
    ‘Zoren communicates with Zoltan my horse and after that Zoltan communicates telepathically to me. Remember that night you ran from me and went and lay with my horse? He told me you were there and I knew you were safe. I needed to sort out Jason before I came to get you so he laid and waited with you and kept you warm. Then when you went to play with the foal he let me know you were there playing but not unhappy. He was keeping an eye on you for me.’
    ‘I remember he came straight up to me,’ she said, thinking about that day. Two cars were turning into the driveway. ‘How many are in your group?’
    ‘There are five of us because there are five corners to a star. To destroy a star all we have to do is position ourselves at each point and the energy between us puts its light out. Then we either vaporise it or leave it in the outer hemisphere where it will do no harm.’
    ‘So, you will go tonight to protect a constellation of stars.’
    ‘Yes. Zoren has given me the mission and we ride tonight. That is why I wanted to get you used to riding with me. I want you to join us if it doesn’t sound too frightening.’ He stopped and faced her, holding both of her hands. ‘Cassie, I know your head is spinning as I haven’t had near enough time to settle you into any of this but I would be honoured if you came for a run with us. Just come with me on Zoltan. We will take extremely good care of you. I’m hoping you love it as we do and want to join us, but no pressure. This is an easy mission so it will be just a leisurely trip first.’
    Cassie shook away the feeling she may have been dreaming again and felt way out of her comfort zone. ‘Kayden, I think you have it wrong. All I can do is blow things up. What you do is far beyond my powers. Please don’t take me because you feel concerned about leaving me alone. You can always trust me with your secrets as I know I can trust you with mine. Just know I will be fine and am happy enough to wait here for you until you get home.’
    He ran his hand through his dark locks. ‘Cassie, I’d have kept this a secret and never asked you to be a part of it if I didn’t believe you’d be of great value