A subtle breeze dances over my moist skin, and I look up into the underside of a sleek, metallic craft. Wide beams of light latch onto each of us and slowly we start to rise up through the air. I press my body into Logan’s back and cling on tighter. My limbs are light and carefree as we ascend, and I feel like I’m floating on air.
“Take Sadie, please,” Logan says tightly. We’ve reached the edge of the craft, perched precariously on a narrow steel ledge. Haydn, Neve, and her blond-haired preferred earthen are inching up through the opening, hundreds of other Saven ascending behind them. Reaching across, Dante peels me off Logan’s back by my forearms. His hold is bone crushing, but I bite down hard on my lip to stop my cry. He holds me at arm’s length as Logan dips down for one second. In that instant, Dante’s intent is written clearly on his face.
A victorious grin spreads his lips wide. He steps forward and holds me out over the gap as Neve and Hayden both reach the ledge.
“You know, I actually think you and I have more in common than you realize. In other circumstances, I might like you. This isn’t personal.”
“What isn’t?” I rasp.
“This. Bye-bye.” He releases me and I drop into the sky, flying backward out through the gap, away from the craft, plummeting through the air in a mass of terrified swirling limbs.
CHAPTER 29
Free falling through the sky is both magical and terrifying. If it wasn’t for the fact that I’m plummeting to my almost assured death, I might actually enjoy it. But the terrified part of me has the upper hand and I’m choking. Indistinguishable shapes blur as they float upward toward the craft. My eyes sting from the rush of frigid air and pelting rain as I continue to drop.
My back hits the solid expanse of water with a resounding thud, sending shards of crushing pain whipping through my body. I flail about as I sink farther into the water, being sucked down by a possessive invisible force. My lungs scream for air as mounting panic gives way to quiet acceptance. Of all the ways I could die, this so didn’t make my list.
My eyelids grow heavy as the raw shredding pain in my throat and chest beats me into submission.
Strong arms wrap around my waist. “Stay with me.” Logan hauls me against his body as he struggles to fight off the current desperate to cling onto us.
“Can’t breathe.”
“Hang on, Sadie. Please. Live.”
And I want to, but the pain overwhelms me and I black out.
When I come to, I’m lying flat on my back on solid ground. Logan pumps up and down on my ribcage, blowing air into my mouth in controlled motions. I splutter and twist to the side, expelling water by the bucket load. The raw burn in my throat matches the raw ache in my chest as I snatch greedy mouthfuls of air and draw them deep into my lungs.
“Hell, Sadie,” Logan says, pulling me into his arms. “I was afraid I’d lost you.” I paw weakly at him. Water crashes off the pavement in gushing rivulets and panicked screams fill the air around us. I attempt to speak but scorching flames coat my esophagus and my speech emits in a feeble croak. “Save your voice. I got you.” Logan cradles me in his arms and takes off up the nearest hill.
“Where are we?”
“About two miles from the station. We need to get back there to find a Subvee. The SSTS had to leave. It wasn’t safe to stay here any longer, and I couldn’t risk everyone on board.”
I splay my fingers on his cheek. “I understand. You did what you had to do to save the others. Thank you for saving me.”
He glances at me. “I haven’t saved you yet. But I will get us out of here. I promise.” He kisses my forehead as cascading water barrels down the hill, crashing into us like a wrecking ball. I cling to Logan as we’re thrown backward with the force of the water. “Hold tight!” My fingers pinch his shirt as his arms wrap firmly around me. The water pitches us down the hill. We twist and tumble and jointly splutter for air. When we reach ground level, Logan throws his arm out and grabs hold of a nearby pole. Swinging his legs around, he maneuvers us into an upright position, securing my hands to his around the pole as water pounds us from all angles. Every jolt feels like a physical punch in the gut.
“We’re not getting to the station anytime soon.” I state the obvious.
“I know.” His jaw flexes as a pained expression crosses his face. He taps a few buttons on his watch and looks at me. “We’ll have to teleport. There’s no other choice.”
“Why the strained look?”
“Help us!” a woman screams and both our heads swivel. A dark-haired woman in a sodden red dress struggles in the swirling river of water surrounding us. A small child clings to the front of her body.
“We have to do something!”
“There’s nothing we can do. If we let go, then we’ll get washed away too.”
I know he speaks the truth, but it does nothing to quell the horrific guilt I feel as I watch the woman and child float away. I close my eyes and a shrill sob escapes my sore throat.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“Sadie. I’ve never teleported with a human before. I don’t know how this might affect you. It could kill you. I—”
“Do it, Logan,” I say, as another volley of eddying water attacks us from higher ground. “It’s either risk it or die here. Do it, now, quick!”
Logan pulls me in front of him, wrapping a protective arm around my waist as he stabs a button on his watch.
The world outside is gone in an instant. A swirling, gray column of air surrounds us as we tunnel upward into an empty mass. The lifeless floating feeling is back and my brain empties. I can’t feel Logan’s arms around me though I sense his presence. Images and sounds dart back and forth in front of me like watching a creepy movie on a super high-speed fast forward button. A dull stabbing pain takes up residence in my skull and a blinding light coats my eyes. I squeeze my eyelids shut.
My stomach drops and my bones jerk alive as my form solidifies once again. Logan’s two arms hold me securely against his body as I flounder. “Ssh, Angel. It’s okay. We made it.”
His cold hands rub up and down my arms as he patiently waits for me to get a grip. Ignoring the hangover-like pain in my head, I force my eyes open.
We are on a pavement facing throngs of protesting men and women, hoisting banners and placards with various anti-government and anti-alien sentiments. Logan has us flattened to the wall, just out of the line of sight, but it’s not the safest place to be. “Where are we?” I croak out.
“We’re in the Core Circle. My father’s apartment is up there.” He points at a sleek metallic and glass high-rise building stretching above us. “Can you walk? We need to get out of here. Fast.”
I ease out of his arms and take his hand. “Let’s go.” We duck down the side alleyway and round the back of the building. Logan tries every door at the rear, but they’re all securely locked. Taking a slim disc-like object from his pocket, he fits it to one of the doors and it swings inward. It reminds me of Jarod and his 007 gadgets and acute pain attacks me. I don’t even know if he and Fern managed to get out of Thalassic City alive.
Logan pulls me into the dimly lit building and around to the elevator bank. Once we’re inside, he punches in a code and the elevator soars smoothly upward.
We step out on the top floor, and he leads me to a shiny black door at the end of the corridor. Placing his palm on the hand scanner, he opens the door and motions me in.
Soothing warmth swathes me like a blanket as I step into the apartment.
We are in a vast room with wall-to-wall glass windows looking out on an imposing mirrored high-rise across the way. A line of narrow-backed red leather couches line the space in front of the window. A plush caramel-colored rug is positioned in front of the seating area, with a fire off to the side. Logan strides forward and presses a switch at the wall. Purple and blue flames flicker in the grate and a burst of additional heat spreads across the room.
“Sit here,” he says, pushing me down gently onto the rug.
“I’ll get some towels.” Bending down, he kisses my cheek. I scoot closer to the fire, basking in the searing heat scorching my face. My clothes are plastered to my body like an additional layer of unwelcome skin. With enormous effort, I start shedding the wet garments.
Logan reappears with two large white towels. Wordlessly, we help each other out of our clothes and sit huddled together on the floor in front of the fire, wrapped in towels and each other.
He wanders off into the kitchen and returns a few minutes later with a plate of crackers, cheese, grapes, and a variety of cold cuts. He hands me a steaming cup of coffee, and I inhale the smoky aroma as if it was the air I need to breathe. “Are Neve and Haydn okay?”
“The craft got securely away. They should be here soon.”
“I wish I could telepathically communicate with Fern and Jarod. To know they are all right.”
“Hold on a minute.” Logan puts his coffee down. His eyes glaze over and his body stiffens as he zones out in what is becoming a familiar habit. A couple of minutes later he comes back to me. “Fern was with Rylan and they were picked up by the SSTS. She is safe. I don’t know about Jarod.”
My concern scatters. Jarod is a natural born survivor and he’s gotten himself out of worse scrapes. I have to trust that he made it out alive. The alternative doesn’t bear thinking about. “Thanks for checking that.” I lean over and kiss him. “So when you zone out like that you’re communicating with your people?”
“You noticed, huh?”
“Hard not to.”
“We can astral project and communicate in that guise.” He feigns nonchalance as if it’s commonplace. I wonder if there’ll ever come a time when he’ll say something that won’t blow the socks off me. “There isn’t much that gets past you. You should always trust your instincts.” He brushes strands of damp hair back off my face.
“I need to get dressed. Are there are any female clothes in this place?”
“Neve keeps a closet here. Come on, I’ll show you.” I take Logan’s hand and he leads me away from the main living area down a wide passageway with numerous doors on either side.
“This apartment is massive.”
“My father doesn’t do things by half.” He opens a door into a sumptuous bedroom. Soft white carpet adorns the floor and I’m reluctant to step foot inside. A vast king-sized bed occupies the middle of the room, positioned in front of a wall-to-wall closet that is the stuff of dreams. Logan senses my discomfort. “Don’t worry about that, Sadie. Go on in. This is Neve’s room. I’m sure she won’t mind if you borrow some of her things. The bathroom is over there.” He gestures toward the silver door on my right. “Take your time. Have a bath, relax.” He presses against me from behind and lightly kisses the top of my head.
“I’m going to get changed. I’ll meet you in the main area when you’re ready.”
Walking into Neve’s bathroom is like stepping into a high-end pharmacy. Reams of bottles are stacked neatly on a succession of glass shelving over the tub. She has every type of product known to man. And alien. I snicker at my own feeble joke.
Extracting lavender-scented bath oil, I tap a few drops into the tub as the bath fills. Allowing my towel to drop to the floor, I gingerly dip a toe in the water and sigh contentedly. The soothing water sends a radiating warmth scooting up my leg, and I fully immerse myself in the pleasurable sensation, allowing it to ease my aching limbs. Taking my time, I wash my hair twice and only get out when I notice my skin wrinkling like a prune.
Wrapping my towel around me, I pad into the bedroom and investigate the closet. Because Neve is that much taller than I am, most of her clothes are too big; however, I manage to locate a short silky black dress that drapes to my knees and fits around my waist once I cinch it with a belt. I find a nice red cashmere cardigan and slip my arms through, savoring the furry softness against my skin. I borrow a pair of plain black pumps, which fit once I stuff a sock in the toe to address the gap in size.
Sitting at Neve’s dresser, I quickly blow dry my hair and leave it hanging in loose waves.
The sounds of conversation reach my ears as I walk along the corridor. Entering the living room, I notice Logan huddled in intense discussion with Haydn. He has changed into a navy sweater and denim jeans that mold his physique to perfection. His feet are bare and his wet hair falls in tumbling waves over his forehead. An urge to jump his bones hits me hard.
“Time and place, Angel.”
My cheeks flush beet-red. “How did you? … Never mind.” I need to understand this Eterno thingy more fully or things could get real embarrassing real quick.
“So, you two can already telepathically communicate?” Neve says, brows raised.
“Yes. But I’d rather we kept that between us for the moment,” Logan replies.
“Sure.” She steps back and surveys me.
“I hope you don’t mind—”
“Of course, I don’t. Take whatever you need,” she says graciously. “I’m so happy you’re both okay. I almost pushed Dante out right after you.”
“She did,” Haydn confirms. “But I didn’t fancy explaining to the king that both his sons were missing.” He strides toward me and pulls me into a hug. “I’m glad you’re safe. I knew Logan would reach you in time.”
“He did. He saved me.” I smile shyly at him.
“We saved each other.” Logan walks to my side and kisses me.
“So, what’s going on? What do we do now?” I ask, wrapping myself around Logan.
Before anyone can answer, the screen in the room powers up automatically. Shots of Thalassic City light up the screen sending darts of renewed panic slicing through me. Image after image is projected, and we’re forced to relive the horror all over again. Getting a birds-eye view this time does nothing to lessen the terror. So many lives were lost as the city curled in on itself. The screen blacks out mid-image.
“I can’t believe the government screened that,” I admit.
“I’m fairly certain they didn’t.” Logan shares my pained expression. “It must’ve been the rebels. As if things aren’t bad enough out there already.” Releasing me, he walks to the window and presses his forehead to the glass.
We join him, all staring silently at the swarm of furious protestors below. Rows of police line the perimeter of the crowd, attempting to keep the angry mob at bay. Tensions are running high and it won’t take much to light the fuse.
“Who destroyed the city?” Surely, it wasn’t the Saven. They have far too much invested in this.
Logan turns around, leaning back against the glass. “One of our enemies.”
“What?” I’m hung up on the “one of” part of that statement. “You have more than one?”
“We’ve pissed off entire nations, Sadie. It could be any number of alien races. But to come to Earth and target us in this way? That’s unprecedented. Most attacks are against our home planet. This doesn’t bode well.”
Despite the temperature in the room, I’m chilled all over again. “What do you think they’re planning?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” He pushes off the glass and pulls me to him. I readily go into his arms. “I need to meet with my father to identify what’s going on. Neve will stay here with you.”
The screen springs to life a second time. A reporter speaks hysterically into her mic as she points at the sky. “Oh my Lord. Sweet Jesus in heaven. Ohmigod. Ohmigod. Ohmigod.” The camera pans to the dark sky as I suck in a sharp gasp.
Gigantic black and silver spacecraft hug the skies above New York. The underbelly of each alien craft illuminates the nighttime sky as a million glittering dots bathe our city in a spooky layer of artificial light.
“Stars,” Haydn says.
“This is just like Independence Day,” I mutter, recalling the Will Smith movie I’d only watched recently. “What do they want?”
“That’s what we must find out,” Logan says through gritted teeth. “I need to speak to my father.” He sits down on the couch and zones
out. Five minutes later, his features relax.
“Well?” I ask, chewing on a fingernail.
“I have to leave. My father and I will go and talk to them and determine what their game plan is. Haydn,” he says, turning to his bodyguard. “I want you to stay here and protect Sadie. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”
“As you wish, Crown Prince.”
“I don’t want you to go without him. It sounds too dangerous.” I sit beside him on the couch and lace my fingers in his.
“We will have the Royal Guard as escorts. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be well protected. I need to know you are safe so I’m not distracted. You must keep Haydn close at all times. You can live here, and when your new position is sorted, Hayden can walk you to and from work. Outside of that, he’ll be your perpetual shadow, and I expect you to obey him. We’ve discussed this before. You know how much danger you’re in. This is not something that’s negotiable. Do you understand?”
I want to tell him to get stuffed. That I’m not a little girl and I’m well capable of protecting myself. But aliens just tried to laser our butts, then drown us, and now menacing alien spaceships hover above the skies—agenda unknown—and I’m petrified. Talk of multiple alien enemies also scares the bejesus out of me. I trust Haydn to do the right thing, and I’ll have to learn to accept my second shadow. “I understand.”
“Thank you.” He presses his forehead to mine. “Your number one priority is keeping yourself safe. Nothing else matters.” He stands up. “I need to pack. Come with me?”
I wrap my hand in his and we walk to his bedroom. Logan fills a bag while I perch on the edge of his gargantuan bed watching his every move. Closing the zipper, he throws the bag in the corner and bounces lengthways on the bed. “Join me.” He pats the pillow beside him. Crawling up the bed, I lie on my side facing him. He reels me in for a long, slow, explorative kiss. Every brush of his lips, every sweep of his tongue, lays claim to me. He whispers words of endearment, telling me over and over how much he loves me. Each loving word, look, and caress brands me deep inside.
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