Saven Deliverance

by Siobhan Davis

  Despite the destruction and devastation, New York has never looked more beautiful.

  I shutter my eyes, committing the image to my memory, holding onto this one moment of utter privilege as if my life depended on it.

  “It is beautiful,” Logan murmurs, connecting to my thoughts. “But not as beautiful as you.”

  I open my eyes, and the look of utter adoration in his gaze melts me on the spot. A red flush creeps over my cheeks “Thank you,” I whisper, knowing my response is hugely inadequate. I still struggle to accept compliments after years of being made to feel worthless.

  “I mean it. You’re really growing into your skin, Sadie, and it suits you. You glow like the most radiant light in the universe.”

  My cheeks flare up even though his words nestle into that innermost, private part of my heart, where I’ll cherish them forever. “I love you.” I pour everything in my heart through our connection so he knows how much I mean those three words.

  “I love you too. So much it hurts sometimes. A lifetime will never be enough with you, Sadie, although I’d happily settle for that now.” Our hands entwine without conscious thought, and I lean back, reveling in the love and comfort our connection provides, and it’s exactly what we both need to take our mind off our impending mission.

  “We’re here,” Logan says, twenty minutes later, and my stomach drops as the ship descends. Looking out, I spot the high-rise glass and mirrored structures of the Core Circle. While most of the Outer Circle was decimated in the first Amaretti-Saven attack, the Core Circle suffered only minor damage. The upper class always comes out of things smelling like roses. Go figure.

  Logan parks on the roof of one of the tallest buildings, keeping the invisibility shield intact. The vast Amaretti mother ship looms large in the distance, hovering over the city like a poisonous cloud. “I couldn’t risk taking us any closer, this’ll have to suffice.”

  We step into the cabin as the guards clamber to their feet, strapping various different sized weapons to their persona. Haydn is barking out last minute instructions. Deputy Tre moves discreetly to my side, and I smile at him, but after Logan’s jealous outburst, he can barely look me in the eye.

  “Okay,” Haydn says, battering his forearms. “Listen up, one last time. I’ve split you into two groups for a reason. This team”—he points to the group of guards on his left—“will go with King Logan and Alma Sadie. Your primary goal is to protect them while they attend to their tasks. Be vigilant and watch your backs. Once Sadie destroys the server, things will get crazy, and they’ll come for you. Do not let them pass. As soon as Logan and Sadie are finished, everyone is to teleport back here.”

  He faces the other group. “You lot are with me. Our aim is to find Queen Dalitza and her bodyguard and get them to safety.”

  Haydn turns to us. “Ready.” We both nod. “Then we are mission go.”

  I wrap my arms around Logan as he inputs the coordinates on his comport and close my eyes the instant I feel the ground disappear beneath my feet.

  A couple of seconds later, my body mass solidifies as we land on firm ground. My eyes blink repeatedly as I wrangle with the bright light. Logan holds me against his taut body until I’ve found my bearings. I look around as the guards surround us on all sides, facing forward with weapons raised, immediately alert. We are in a long narrow passageway with massive, tall, glossy black structures on either side. Blinking red lights flash in the center of the columns, and heat emanates from the devices like the densest humidity.

  “It’s this way.” Logan jerks his head northbound, sending that statement to everyone. We move en masse, walking quietly and stealthily through the technological maze.

  The pounding of many feet rings out as a blanketing blue light drops from above. “Security Alert!” an alien voice booms around the room. “Intruder Warning.” A blaring ringtone pierces my eardrums, and I automatically lift my hands to my ears as I quicken my pace.

  Shots emanate behind us, and I sense Deputy Tre moving into position at my back. “Keep going, Mistress. I have you covered.” Voices shout out orders to down arms as shots are traded. The thump of a body stalls me, and I yank on Logan’s arm. Deputy Tre slams into my back and I pitch forward. Logan reacts fast, catching me before I face-plant the ground. A second thud is matched by a volley of colorful Saven slang as I swing around to survey the scene.

  A group of Amaretti soldiers, wearing the customary silver-and-black jumpsuits are advancing on the Saven guard, who are already down two men. Fire whips up and down my arms as I shake Logan off. “Cover me,” I tell the officers, and they part to let me through. They line the passageway on both sides, continuing to trade shots with the enemy. More Amaretti soldiers flood the space as I elevate my arm and hit them with the full strength of my power.

  It’s all over in two seconds flat, and all that remains is a mound of charred ashes on the ground. Bile rises up my throat. “Four of you move to the front of the room,” I request in a shaky voice, betraying my feelings. “They will send more troops, so do your best to hold them off.” They race off without question. “Let’s go,” I say to the rest, striding forward to meet Logan.

  We weave in and out of passageways and columns, and the sheer scale of their technology is intimidating. Thank the stars for Dali and her forward thinking because we’d never have figured this out on our own.

  “Stop.” Logan tugs on my hand, and we slam to a halt before a broad black unit with a variety of red, orange, and green flashing lights. Logan brings up a projection on his comport, confirming we have the right server. He nods. “Work your magic, Angel.”

  “Move to the corner,” I instruct. “Stay there and have everyone ready to teleport to the king’s cabin. We‘ll only have a short window.” In my mind’s eye, I recall the sections Dali had pinpointed. Top left, bottom right, and a section slightly left of the center. If I hit these spots bang on, it will send a river of fire gushing through the interior workings of the server, and it will implode in a matter of mere minutes. If my aim is off, I risk the whole damn thing exploding on the spot, and then it’s sayonara, lights out, kaput. For everyone.

  I steady my nerves and make the first hit. It strikes quick and clean and through the exact spot. An acrid smoke wafts in the air as smoldering tentacles start their inner journey. Steadying my arm, I level the next blow, and it meets the target dead-on. Sounds of more gunfire echo in the distance and I know we’re almost out of time. Wiping my clammy hands down the front of my pants, I straighten my spine and focus my resolve as I raise my arm in line with the last target. Flames spit out of the device, taunting me. I thrust the beam out of my wrist and it hits the target in the perfect spot. I watch for one second, to be sure the hit has taken before I race toward Logan, stretching my legs to the breaking point.

  I fling myself into his arms and he activates the comport.

  We land on solid ground a couple of seconds later. Muffled sounds are a vague distraction in the background when a massive explosion rocks the ship. The floor trembles under my feet, and Logan struggles to maintain an upright position, holding me flush against his body. Lights flash on and off as warning sirens erupt in the corridor.

  Fait accompli.

  The click of a weapon stalls my premature celebratory dance.

  Logan curses in my mind. “We have company. There must be some blocking band around the king’s cabin because we’ve landed in the corridor outside. Keep your eyes closed and pretend to be out of it. When I give you the signal, unleash your power straight ahead.”

  “Got it.”

  “Wake her up!” someone demands, “and keep your hands where I can see them.”

  “I can’t let go or she’ll fall,” Logan lies.

  My breath hitches as a loud click resonates in my proximity.

  “Now, Sadie!”

  Fire rips from my wrists as I open my eyes, just in time to see the shocked look on the soldier’s face before he disappears into dust. My beam has extended behind him, taking
out the soldiers at the wall. The rest of them take one look at me and … flee. I’d laugh if we weren’t in such a precarious situation.

  Logan is inspecting the door to the cabin with a frown.

  “What?”

  In the background, Deputy Tre is instructing the guards to keep watch on either side of the corridor. No doubt reinforcements are on their way.

  “I can’t figure out how to get in. It must be some kind of laser identity.”

  “Stand back. Let me try something.”

  Drawing a tranquil breath, I delve deep inside myself, connecting with the fiery energy that courses through my veins. I jerk my head and thrust the heat from my eyes, watching the laser beam cut a hole in the center of the silver door. The circular incision in the door drops inward, offering us a clear path through to the room.

  “Down!” I yell, throwing myself at Logan as shots whizz through the opening. The Saven guards retaliate, sending a volley of shots into the room inside. More shots erupt, ricocheting against the walls and hitting one of our guards right in the chest. He drops to the ground, the light dying instantly in his eyes. Anger, hot and furious, takes control of me, and I spring up, thrusting fire from both wrists as I face the opening, sending a heady stream blasting into the room. I shoot successive fireballs, and my head is awash with destructive thoughts. Raw power surges in my veins, and all sense of logic switches off in my brain. I move forward, sending wave after wave of firepower into the room.

  Logan is pleading with me to stop, but some inner demon is urging me to destroy everything in my path. I step through the hole, whipping my head around the room. The king is cowering in the corner, crouched on the ground with his knees to his chest. A lone soldier remains standing in front of him, pointing his weapon at me.

  A sly smile creeps over my lips.

  Logan and the guards swarm the room, keeping behind me. “Drop your weapon,” Logan commands, thrusting a barrage of loving words through our connection. His arm snakes around my waist and his breath is warm on the side of my neck. Gradually, the rage starts to ebb, but my limbs still twitch with the incorrigible need to rip through the room. “Remember who you are, Sadie.” Logan’s trust and belief in me filters through the line removing the last vestiges of potent hatred.

  The fury rescinds, although I keep my wrists raised in warning, the flames taunting the enemy. Self-loathing rises to the surface as I think how easily I let the anger overpower me. Sometimes I’m not sure whether I’m controlling my gift or its controlling me.

  The soldier tosses his weapon aside, lifting his hands in surrender. Two guards rush forward, pinning his arms behind his back. Deputy Tre steps forward, ramming the butt of his weapon into the soldier’s skull. He drops to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

  The king is visibly shaking as he clings pathetically to the wall. “Get up,” Logan demands. The king’s lip wobbles and he seems frozen in fear.

  “Just do it now. Take control of him.” I’m hugely conscious of the imaginary ticking clock in my head.

  Logan sits down, crossing his legs as he stares at the king. He closes his eyes and lines of concentration furrow his brow. No one dares even breathe in the room in case we distract him. I withdraw from his mind, allowing him sole focus, even though it pains me to do it.

  The king starts rocking back and forth, and then he cries out, clutching his head. Terrified eyes meet mine as he looks up. “Stop it! What are you doing to me?!”

  Slowly, his eyes flicker open and shut, and his mouth hangs open, words disappearing on his tongue. Familiar blue eyes flash in and out as Logan grapples to take control of the king’s body and mind.

  The king stiffens, pushing off the ground and standing up. His eyes fixate on me as he nods. I glance over my shoulder at Logan, and his eyes are glazed over, his body rigid with concentration. He did it!

  The king advances but as he reaches me a sinister look appears in his gaze. His eyes flicker on and off, different colors blending in and out. I take my eye off him for a second when I hear Logan’s frantic pants. Logan looks up at me with a startled expression as firm hands lock around my neck.

  “I’ll kill you,” the king hisses, “even if it’s with my last breath.”

  Deputy Tre activates his weapon, prodding the king in the temple.

  “No! Don’t shoot. We need him.” Or his conscious body. It’s the only reason I’m not ripping a fiery hole through his torso.

  “Try again, Logan. Do it now!” I fight my body’s natural instinct to claw at the king’s hands. Logan’s apprehension floods our connection. “You can do this, babe. I trust you.”

  With a look of fierce determination, Logan closes his eyes and refocuses.

  The hands around my neck withdraw, and I drop to my knees, gasping for air.

  “I’m sorry, Angel,” the king says, and it’s so weird hearing Logan’s endearment from his lips.

  Deputy Tre looks to me and I nod. He lifts Logan up, and I wrap my arms around the king, and with the remaining guards, we teleport to the control room.

  We land rather unceremoniously in the room, amid a collective gasp. Deputy Tre has a gun pointed to the king’s temple as I shelter Logan’s body behind mine. One of the soldiers keeps him propped up from behind, and together we try and hide him from prying eyes. I’m not sure how much the Amaretti are aware of astral possession, and I’m not taking any chances. Logan will stay hidden until he has delivered the message from the king’s body.

  “Call up the comm channel and send out this message,” the king demands. A serious-looking male flicks a few buttons as others trade wary expressions.

  I purposely summon my flames, letting them dance freely over my wrists. Horrified looks reverberate around the room. “Do what your king says,” I command. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I will if anybody steps out of line.”

  A small digital camera lowers from the ceiling. On the rear wall, a holoscreen appears, displaying the king’s solemn face. Deputy Tre steps back, out of camera range, although he keeps his weapon trained on the king to keep up appearances.

  “My fellow Amaretti,” the king—a.k.a. Logan—speaks to his people. “Listen up carefully as your safety and the safety of our nation depends on this. I have formally surrendered myself to the U.P.C., and I hereby nominate my daughter, Crown Princess Dalitza as the future queen of Amara. In my last action as your king, I demand you land your ship in the nearest vacant location and surrender to the Saven-human forces on the ground. King Logan has assured everyone’s safety provided we surrender peacefully.”

  The king sways on his feet, and all the tiny hairs lift on my body. “Hold it together, Logan. Almost there.”

  “Down your weapons and cease fire. That is an order. Surrender now.”

  A tall, thin soldier steps forward, facing the king and partially blocking the camera. “I invoke protocol two-nine-five-four,” he says.

  What the hell is this? Dali mentioned nothing about any protocol. A line of sweat coasts down my back and I notice little sweat beads forming on the king’s forehead. “Steady, Logan. Keep your focus.” Instinctively, I move one arm behind me, gently rubbing his shoulder.

  “What is the meaning of this?” the king says indignantly.

  “What is the password, sir?” the man asks unrepentantly.

  “You dare to disrespect me?” he yells, a furious note lacing his words. Logan is putting on a brilliant show, but I can tell it isn’t enough. “Cut the comm.”

  “Stay alert. This is unexpected.” I silently warn the others.

  “This was your idea, sir. A secret security measure. I need that password.”

  Logan’s anxiety bubbles to the surface and he loses his hold. The king slumps forward, almost pitching into the man’s arms. Logan trembles behind me as a horde of soldiers swarm the room.

  “Get out of here!” I silently yell, nodding urgently at Deputy Tre as he extends a hand to help Logan to his feet.

  “Kill them!” the king roars, straighteni
ng up and pointing at us. “Kill them all!”

  CHAPTER 21

  Soldiers open fire instantly, laser shots slicing through the air as Deputy Tre grabs Logan and me to him and activates his comport. The room fades away as we teleport to safety. We crash land on the roof of the building in the city, alongside our ship, all three of us falling awkwardly to the floor. Heavy thuds and loud grunts signal the arrival of the remaining guards—those that survived, that is. I prop up on my elbows, blinking my eyes open as I inspect Logan. “Baby, are you okay?”

  He groans, his eyelids flickering open and shut. “My head is throbbing but apart from th—” He winces as he attempts to sit up, cradling his arm to his chest.

  “Let me see.” I pry his hand loose, and warm liquid trickles over my fingers. His shirt is ripped, exposing the laser mark burning his flesh. “You’ve been shot.” I look up at Deputy Tre. “Can you retrieve the medical kit, please.” He nods, getting to his feet and sprinting toward the ship.

  Logan sits up with his knees hunched and his injured arm propped against his legs. “It’s not serious, don’t fuss.”

  I snort. “You’d be totally freaking out if it was me who got shot and you know it. Let me bandage it at least until we can find a medic, and you’ll need to take something for the pain.”

  Deputy Tre returns with the kit, and I extract what I need. “Take it and go help the others.” I nod in the direction of the guards, many of whom appear to be nurturing similar injuries. “Any sign of Haydn?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

  “I’ll reach out to him,” Logan says. I pin a pain patch to his upper arm, and he moans in grateful relief. Ripping the sleeve of his shirt up to his shoulder, I clean the wound as best I can before applying a bandage.

  “Crap.” Logan clambers to his feet unsteadily, and I whip an arm around his waist, helping him stay upright. “They haven’t located Dali or Win, and Amaretti soldiers are in active pursuit.” Agony flitters across his face, and I know this isn’t an easy choice.