He lifted his brow. "What do you mean?"
"You've got your mom's stubbornness and your dad's icy demeanor. How long did you have to practice to get that menacing glare down?"
Taryn hadn't thought it possible, but Devyn's gaze turned even chillier. "If you ever lose the most precious thing you treasure, you'll have the same look. I guarantee it."
Taryn snorted. "I already lost it. Except mine left me by her own free choice. I just hope after you go through all this, Alix doesn't do you the same way."
Me, too, Devyn thought, remembering the way she had left the hotel room without so much as a note.
But that didn't matter, not at the moment. "I don't care if she does leave me. I can't leave her in danger, especially since that bastard wants me more."
The link buzzed. "Your Highness, we're approaching Cranora."
Taryn met his gaze. "You ready for this?"
"Let's dance."
They lowered the ramp and moved cautiously from Taryn's ship. The location Irn had given them was through the dense forest, half a mile to the south. If they could take him unawares, maybe they would stand half a chance.
As they reached the edge of the woods, a large estate came into view. Thick, fortified walls surrounded it, and even without the guards posted every few feet, there was little doubt who owned such a place.
"You can really pick them," Taryn muttered. "Druggers."
Devyn smiled at the irony. "I won't think badly of you if you decide to wait in your ship."
"What?" Taryn asked, his eyes wide in feigned shock, "and miss the chance to see a Kell infiltrate the uninfiltratable? I want to see if you remember any of the stuff your dad taught you."
Devyn pulled out his decoder and began punching in data. "The electronics don't scare me. But I think I hear girbeasts."
"Yeah," Taryn said, his voice cracking. "Let's hope they're on a leash."
Devyn was almost ready to breach the code when a guard walked past.
Ducking down into the shadows of the wall, they heard the guard's link. "She's down in the refinery. We've found two of our guys shot, so she's armed. Remember, shoot to wound."
Devyn's heart stopped. Alix was in trouble. He had to find her. Where was the refinery?
As soon as the guard moved past, he breached the alarm. Steeling his nerves, he crept through the yard with Taryn one step behind.
Devyn crouched as another guard approached. He drew his knife. Then when the guard reached their hiding place, he lunged and grabbed him from behind, laying his dagger against the man's throat. "Where's the refinery?"
"I don't—"
Devyn tightened his grip, cutting the man's words off. "One more lie and I'll slit this nice juicy artery."
"To the east. The gray building."
"Better," Devyn said.
Taryn zapped him with a sonic disrupter and the man crumpled to the ground.
"Hope he has some potent painkillers," Taryn muttered.
"I hope we have some potent luck."
Stealthily, they continued until they reached the refinery. Shouts filled their ears and a number of armed men ran inside.
"Boy, Dev, you sure can pick them," he repeated in the same fatalistic tone. "Looks like your girlfriend has ticked off the entire staff."
Recoil fire filled the air.
"Alix," Devyn breathed, rushing forward.
Taryn caught him by the arm. "Wait a minute. Are you trying to get both you and her killed? We need a plan."
Devyn clenched his teeth. "Fine, you sit here and plan. I'm going to help."
He removed Taryn's hand from his arm and sprinted into the refinery.
Smoke surrounded him, blinding his sight. He choked on the thick, pungent fumes and moved through the huge warehouse as quickly as he could. He heard the guards running and cursing, but he could barely make out anything other than passing shapes and swirling fog.
Something moved behind him. Whirling, he took aim.
"It's me!" Taryn snapped.
Devyn removed his finger from the trigger. "Finished planning so soon?"
"No," he muttered, stopping next to him. "But if I get shot, I'm holding you responsible."
Self-recrimination tore through Devyn. He'd already killed one friend. He didn't want to lose another. "You go back. I can fight my own battles."
"No, thanks. We're in this till the end."
"But—"
A blast sizzled between them. Taryn spun and shot the guard. "C'mon."
Devyn followed him through the haze. Voices came at them from all directions. Several guards rushed past them, not even seeing them in the smoke.
"She's up on the catwalk," one of them said. "But she's got a nerve deflector."
"Ouch," Taryn whispered. "I hope she doesn't hit one of us."
Devyn didn't think about that. All he cared about was finding Alix safe and alive, and he had a feeling that if they didn't get to her soon, there wouldn't be enough left of her to identify.
Stifling heat hovered in the air, making it thick, almost unbreathable. They ascended the ladder and had to walk single-file on the thin metal planking that ran over huge vats of chemicals. Devyn looked down and took a deep breath as his heart slid into his stomach. He hated heights, but the worst part was that if they fell, they'd no doubt land in something very hot or very acidic.
Suddenly, a scream rent the air, sending a chill down his spine. Fear nearly buckled his knees. Devyn ran toward the sound, no longer caring how high above the ground he was. Rounding the corner, he froze. Alix dangled off the walk and two guards stood above her.
"Maybe we ought to tell Irn she fell," one of them said, picking up his rifle and aiming it at her.
No! Rage descended on him. Before he could think, he rushed forward, snatched the rifle from the man's hands, and backhanded him. The guard fell from the walk, screaming until he landed on the ground with a solid, sickening thud.
The other guard started to fight, then caught sight of Taryn and decided against it. Turning on his heel, the guard ran in the opposite direction.
Taryn moved to go after him. Devyn grabbed him by the arm and holstered his blaster. "Leave him," he said, and knelt on the planking.
"Alix!" he called, grabbing her hands.
She looked up at him, her eyes large and fear-filled. "Devyn," she breathed, her grip tightening beneath his.
"It's okay," he said, relief pouring through him. "Let go and I'll pull you up."
"I can't," she cried, the horror in her voice slicing through him. "Please, don't let me fall!"
"I'm not going to let you fall," he said, curbing his irritation. "You have to let go."
Her hands trembled in his. She looked up at him and he knew how close she was to breaking. "It's all right," he said. "Trust me."
Her eyes widened a second before she let go. Her unexpected surrender almost pulled him over. Devyn braced himself and pulled. His sweaty palms slipped. She screamed.
Taryn grabbed him by the waist and helped pull. With a strong tug, she came over the edge and into his arms. Devyn held her tightly, his heart pounding in relief.
"Thank you, God," he whispered against her hair, holding her close.
She wept in his arms and clutched at him, her entire body trembling.
"How precious," a voice sneered.
Devyn looked up and saw Irn standing just before them with a blaster angled at him and Alix.
"Now be good children and hand me your weapons."
It had been a long time since Devyn had intentionally killed anyone, and now that he stood facing Irn, the familiar bile rose in his throat.
For the ideals and power games of the HAWC he had killed so many, watched even more die. He couldn't stand the thought of killing anyone else, not even the vile creature before him. Could he do it?
Taryn and Alix slid Irn their weapons. Irn's gaze hardened as he waited for him to do the same. "Kell?"
Steadying his nerves, Devyn took a deep breath and moved away from A
lix. "Will you let Alix and Taryn go?"
"I'll say yes if it'll ease your mind."
Devyn pulled his blaster out of its holster. "Wrong answer," he said, then aimed and fired.
The blast caught Irn in the shoulder. He screamed and dropped his weapon. Hatred glared in his eyes and he ran toward Devyn, fists raised. Devyn caught him and the two fell backward over the edge of the walkway.
Alix's heart stilled as panic wrenched her soul. Irn's scream echoed in her head, followed by the thud of bodies hitting the floor.
"Devyn!" Alix shrieked. She blinked, praying her eyes had lied and that she hadn't seen Devyn go over.
Her heart pounded in her chest and tears sprang to her eyes. She crumpled to the floor, wanting to die, unable to believe she'd lost her Devyn. Gazing up, she met Taryn's horrified face and saw the tears that gathered in his own eyes. She couldn't bring herself to look over the edge and see Devyn's body on the floor below.
"Dammit, Taryn, give me a hand!"
Tears coursed down her cheeks at the familiar frustrated voice. Relief filled her, stealing her breath. Taryn sprang to his feet and leaned over the edge. Smiling, Alix joined him and grabbed Devyn's right hand.
"God bless HAWC training," Taryn said with a laugh and latched onto Devyn's hands.
Alix stood back, unable to believe he'd survived. "How?" she asked, pulling him into her arms.
"The armor plating caught on a hook or something when I fell." Devyn held up his left arm and she saw the twisted body armor and blood pouring out of it.
"You're wounded!"
He smiled. "Yeah, but it's a hell of a lot better than the alternative."
Holding her close, he looked at Taryn. "Let's get out of here before more guards show up."
Taryn retrieved their weapons. "Right behind you, shidan."
Epilogue
Alix stood inside the rectory, staring out the window, her stomach knotted. She clutched at the small white rose Zarina had given her and her mind whirled.
What was keeping Devyn? Had he changed his mind? Fear gripped her and she tried to press it back. He wouldn't do that to her. Would he? After a year and a half of waiting, she found it hard to believe he hadn't changed his mind about marrying her. Or had he?
She checked her watch and bit her lip. He should have been here an hour ago.
"You okay?" Zarina asked, touching her arm.
With a sigh, Alix turned away from the window and walked back to where the priest sat. His old eyes offered her comfort. She gave him a timid smile but would rather have cursed her luck.
Even now her back throbbed from where her brand had been removed three days earlier. And she had wanted to marry Devyn the second the brand had been stripped. But Devyn had insisted they wait an extra few days and have a real wedding. She'd wanted to elope and have the whole thing behind her.
What was the point of a wedding when she had no family and her only friend was Zarina? But Devyn had been adamant, and now she didn't even have a bridegroom.
Well, enough waiting. He wasn't going to show and she had no desire to stand here all day looking like a fool. Handing the rose to Zarina, she turned to leave.
The doors opened.
Valerian and Malena came through, a wide smile on their faces, and right behind them was Devyn. Alix closed her eyes in relief, her heart pounding. Maybe dreams really did come true.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Devyn said, picking her hands up and kissing her palms. "I had a few people to pick up."
She smiled, all irritation gone. "I'm glad you brought your parents."
"Yeah, but they weren't the ones who were late," he said, a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
She frowned, wondering what he'd been up to. "I thought we agreed to keep this small."
"Well, I had to make two exceptions."
"Who?" she asked, expecting Taryn and Claria.
Devyn stood aside and Alix's gaze drifted to the door. She blinked in disbelief, her body flashing from hot to cold. Tears welled in her eyes. It couldn't be.
"Mama?" she asked, her throat tight. "Piran?"
Tears streamed down her face as Alix dashed across the room and pulled her mother and brother close. She'd never even dared hope to see them again. Now they stood before her.
"You've grown so tall!" her mother said, touching her hair, her face.
"Yeah, you don't look anything like a ship rat anymore."
She clutched Piran to her. "But you're still as handsome as ever," she said with a laugh.
Alix turned around. Devyn stood just behind her, his eyes filled with love and warmth.
"Thank you!" she said.
He smiled. "I got all the thanks I needed when I saw your face the minute they stepped in."
Laughing, she held him close, her heart nearly bursting from the fullness of her love. "How did you do it?"
"While Calix worked out your release, I had him do a background check on your mother and brother. It took a little creative bartering, but it wasn't hard."
"Don't listen to him," her mother said. "He's a saint."
Alix smiled. "I know, Mama."
Devyn's cheeks flamed. "Well, I thought I came here to get married, not stand around while people tell fabrications about me."
Zarina came forward and returned the rose to Alix.
Alix kissed her mother's cheek and watched while Piran helped her to her seat.
She took Devyn's hand and they approached the altar. The priest came forward and started the ceremony.
Alix listened to the prayer, her heart pounding. It was really happening. The day she had barely allowed herself to think about had finally come and it wasn't a dream. It was better.
She took the ring from Zarina, her hands icy. "I, Alix Garran, in the presence of God and His representative, swear to uphold the vows of marriage, to protect and cherish my husband, Devyn Kell, against all enemies who would do him harm. To stand by his side for the whole of my life and offer him comfort, companionship, and all the love in my heart."
The priest blessed the ring. Her hand trembled as she slid it onto Devyn's finger.
Smiling, he stared into her eyes, and the love that shone there stole her breath. "I, Devyn Kell, in the presence of God and His representative, swear to uphold the vows of marriage, to protect and cherish my wife, Alix Garran, against all enemies who would do her harm. To stand by her side for the whole of my life and offer her comfort, companionship, and all the love in my heart."
The warmth of his hand on hers sent a chill down her spine. He slid the ring into place and she stared at the sparkling tarias.
Lifting her hand to his lips, Devyn kissed her knuckle just above the ring. His gaze burned into hers. "I love you, Alix, and so long as breath remains in my body, I swear you will never again have to fear the past or the future."
Alix smiled, knowing for the first time in her life she had the one thing she had wanted most— love. And the one thing she had barely dared hope for—an unexciting future with Devyn.
Yeah, right. Unexciting indeed.
The League 3: Paradise City Page 28