Chapter 7
“Hold onto your hats,” Nathaniel said as he dodged yet another pirate attack. He knew that there were too many for them to actually win, but he didn't need to have every single one shot down. He just needed enough shot down that he could get a clear path out of there.
The pirate ships were small, but they often won attacks by their tiny shots hitting large ships in impressive numbers. One shot wasn't going to do much, but a thousand was a different story.
“Um,” Desmond said, as they nearly flipped upside down, “that was unnecessary.”
“Never wanted Christa more than now,” Nathaniel gripped the steering wheel. “Here's a clear shot set up for you.”
‘Maestro.’
The cry came loud and clear, and both of them tensed.
‘Sienna, are you hurt?’
‘I can't do this.’
Desmond half smiled, even as he was blowing ships apart. ‘You can do this, little one. One at a time.’
‘I can't.’
Nathaniel chimed in then. ‘Devon is on the other side.’
Three pirate ships blew in succession, one after the other.
Desmond raised an eyebrow. “Not good motivation, Nathaniel,” he said.
Nathaniel shrugged. “It worked, didn't it? Woah!” He misjudged a turn and slammed into four of them. There was a giant crash, and then red lights started flashing. The alarm blared, and he checked the monsters “Oops.”
“What did you break?”
“The back hatch probably won't work,” Nathaniel answered.
‘Sienna, leave the guns and come to the front.’
She didn't need to be told twice. She rushed to the front of the ship, her heart pounding and her hands trembling. She had dreamed of being a warrior, but she had never factored in the part where she was afraid.
“Okay, sit and buckle up.” Nathaniel pointed to the co-pilot seat. “I didn't want you in the back in case something sparked.”
“To your left,” Desmond said, and Nathaniel dodged just in time. Sienna gripped the seat belt, breathing heavily as she tried to not scream out in alarm. This was not easy, and she couldn't understand why they were so calm. How could they not see that this was the most terrifying moment of their lives? “And now to the right.”
“Thank you. I have eyes,” Nathaniel answered as he zigzagged. Finally, he saw a clear path, and he hit a few buttons. “Hold on!”
Sienna screamed as they launched into hyperspace, the force pushing her back into her seat. She was sure they were going to hit the wall of ships or have one come right through the windshield. This was not how she wanted to die.
But they were fine.
She cracked open one eye, her heart pounding.
“Wahoo!” Nathaniel cheered, turning to Desmond with a grin. “Still got it!”
“With only minor damage,” Desmond answered, unimpressed as he got up. “But still flying, so that's an improvement over the last few times.”
“I feel your faith in me is so little,” Nathaniel teased him as he shut down the war systems. “You should trust me more, Maestro.”
“I haven't jumped from the ship screaming, have I?” Desmond said with a smile. Both of them were keeping up a bit of humor in order to keep Sienna calm. She was clearly nervous, but they were flooding the air with calming vibes. “Yet.”
“I'm hungry, actually,” Nathaniel said as if they hadn't just made their way through a giant space battle. “Sienna? You interested in food?”
“No.” She was clear on that.
Nathaniel turned his head to notice her left cheek was starting to bruise rather badly. “Did you fall?” he asked, and she nodded. “Did you hit your head?”
“No,” she said. “Just when I ran from the gun room. I'll be all right.”
If she could accept stronger forms of magic, he could reach over and heal her. Instead, he kept his hand still, turning to Desmond. “Shall we get food then?”
“I think so,” Desmond answered. “So long as you have the autopilot enabled properly. It will alert us if there is an incoming object”
“Could the pirates…follow us?”
“If they wanted,” Nathaniel said. “But I'm sure that they don't want to. They hang around like that because they know the territory, and they have a plan. Chasing a bigger ship through space is not their style. There's nothing to be afraid of; we're safe now.”
She didn't move, staring into the black void. “Was it like this every day?” she asked. “When you were warriors?”
“Not every day,” Nathaniel replied. “But most days. It just second nature, Sienna. We barely noticed the difference between battle days and non-battle days.”
“But you could die at any moment,” she said.
“So could you,” Desmond said, and both of them turned to him in surprise “Death is a natural part of living, Sienna, and returning to Nature is not something that should be feared; especially if it is done in a way that is serving the magic.”
“Yes,” she said hesitantly.
He gave her a soft smile. “You know that your life is precious, little one. We do not choose how much time is given to us. We can only use that time wisely.”
“By not jumping out of ships?” she asked, and he shrugged.
“That's one way to start. Don't live your life in fear of death, for it is inevitable.”
She seemed to understand the seriousness of the moment, and he pushed himself up from his chair.
“Come. While we are safe from pirates, we might as well eat.”
“Why did you tell her that?” Nathaniel asked later that night as they sailed through the darkness of space. “About dying?”
“You disagree?” Desmond asked.
“I don't disagree with the premises,” Nathaniel answered. “But I also don't want her to accept limitations that she doesn't have to accept.”
“Nathaniel,” Desmond looked him right in the eye, “you cannot deny the fact that our Tiro likely won't outlive us. Giving her false expectations isn't going to help the situation.”
“I know,” Nathaniel said. “But I'm not. She's capable of anything she puts her mind to.”
“For the time she is here, yes,” Desmond answered, and Nathaniel sighed.
“You're thinking about Reynolds, aren't you?”
“I'm not,” Desmond answered. “But I have been thinking about the man Reynolds could have potentially become–the witch he was supposed to become. I have imagined meeting him a hundred different times over the years, and now that I am about to, I have no idea what to say to him. Except….’” he trailed off.
“Except?” Nathaniel prompted.
“Except I'm sorry,” Desmond answered. Nathaniel didn't know what to say to that, fiddling with the controls.
“I'm angry at him,” he said, and Desmond raised an eyebrow.
“Why? You didn't know him.”
“No,” Nathaniel said. “But I feel the pain he caused you, and I even feel it in Mariah. I've always been angry at him since the day you told me the story.”
“Mmm,” Desmond answered. “Back in the days where it was just you and I at the controls of the ship.”
“And I didn't have to say the word sweater four-hundred times a day,” Nathaniel grinned. “Those were the days.”
“Get some rest,” Desmond said, after a moment. “I'll take the first watch. But I imagine now that we've gotten through the danger zone, it will be a quiet trip.”
Just as Nathaniel was about to answer, their monitor buzzed with an incoming call. He pressed the answer button, confused about who would be calling them at this hour.
Laura's beautiful face popped up on the screen, and Nathaniel swallowed hard. He hadn't seen her in months, and he had forgotten just how lovely she was. The very sight of her brought back memories that he had kept buried deep down.
“Well, hello there,” Laura said, with a smile. “Fancy meeting you on this transmission.”
“What can we do for you?
” Nathaniel asked, hitting a few buttons to make sure their transmission was secure.
“I assume you are on your way?”
“We are,” he said. “Another few hours.”
“I'm transmitting you a report that Sybil wrote,” Laura said. “A few profiles from people who we are working with–their routines, that sort of thing.”
“Excellent,” Nathaniel replied as he accepted the file. “Can you send us the landing coordinates as well?”
“Already done,” she said. “Devon is going to meet your ship and take you to where we are hiding out. But as soon as you join the group, you are rebel witches. There are eyes everywhere.”
“Desmond and I are to be separate,” Nathaniel reminded her of the plan. “Is the hangar bay watched?”
“No,” Laura said. “Not really. You can probably get out a back exit and then join us later. All Reynolds' spies need to see is Desmond and Sienna joining us out in the open. We'll wait for you before we make our next move.”
“Excellent,” Nathaniel answered. “Also, I'm starving for something real. Do you have kitchens?”
Desmond smacked his former Tiro in the arm. In twenty years, it seemed very little had changed.
“We have kitchens,” Laura rolled her eyes. “I didn't miss that about you.”
“What did you miss?” Nathaniel couldn't help but ask.
Desmond took over the transmission. “We'll see you soon,” he said, and ended the call.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at him. “What?”
“Longer transmissions are easier to trace,” Desmond explained.
“Right,” Nathaniel answered. “Nothing is going to happen between me and Laura. I've still got Eliza's face in my mind.”
“Can I remind you that the reason we are in this mess to begin with is because I had Mariah's face in my mind?” Desmond asked him.
“It's not a mess,” Nathaniel assured him. “It's an adventure.”
“Always the optimist,” Desmond called after him. He was grateful that his former Tiro did not blame him at all for their suspension. But then, Desmond knew it was because he had supplied Nathaniel with the mindset that some rules were meant to be broken. Had he taught him to walk the line that the Jurors set out for them, then it would, perhaps, be a different story.
Desmond knew that they couldn't change the past, no matter what magical ability they had. They could only work through their future.
Neither of them were awake when sunrise came, and Desmond didn't mind. He wouldn't have been able to sleep anyway, his thoughts preoccupied by Reynolds He navigated the ship into a landing descent and left it on autopilot as he went to gather his things.
This was the first undercover mission that they had attempted in quite a while. Sienna wasn't properly trained for them, even though she should have been. Desmond made sure to load Laura's files onto her tablet, so that she would be able to refer to them if she was unsure. All he needed was to pretend that he wanted to join Reynolds' rebellion.
And given how the Jurors had treated them recently, Desmond didn't think that was going to be hard. He didn't want to use his magic for evil, but more and more often, he found himself thinking of finding freedom from the strict rules that were set out and the life they demanded the witches live. He missed Mariah, even now, and he wasn't sure he ever wanted to miss her again.
Chapter 8
“Devon!”
Nathaniel realized he had neglected to tell Sienna that it was Devon who was going to be waiting for them. As she walked down the ramp, her face lit up in a kind of happiness that he rarely saw. She picked up her pace, rushing down the ramp. Devon opened his arms, and she flew into them, giggling.
“He doesn't look well,” Desmond said quietly to Nathaniel, who cast his gaze on the boy. Devon was taller than he used to be, but also thinner and a bit paler. It was as if his height hadn't caught up to the fact that he was chronically ill.
Unlike Sienna, though, Devon's condition was well managed and known to the med bay. It was terminal, but he tolerated all the treatments well, mostly through a continuous intravenous pump, hidden under his clothing. He felt almost no effects from his illness. Which meant he and Laura could continue to go on quests that required high levels of energy until the moment he no longer could.
“He's progressed,” Nathaniel admitted as he watched Devon swing Sienna around. If he was going to walk down the platform, he would have yelled out, but he couldn't make his presence known. He would wait until they were gone and then sneak out the back way. “Speaking of, you have everything she needs? You know that she needs the red pills at noon and–”
“Nathaniel,” Desmond said. “I may not have been the one physically dealing with the medication, but I've been here every day. She'll be fine.”
“Right,” Nathaniel answered, taking a deep breath. “See you on the other side then.”
“See you then,” Desmond said, and took a few steps down the platform.
Devon finally put Sienna down, a wide smile on his face. “How are you?” he asked.
“Excited,” she whispered. “It's been so long.”
“It has,” he said. “I couldn't believe this…choice…brought me you.” His language was slightly guarded, remembering that there could be spies anywhere.
“Yes, this choice.” She, too, chose her words carefully. Desmond approached from behind, and she turned to him. “Maestro, you remember Devon?”
“Uh, yes, I remember Devon,” Desmond answered, rolling his eyes. “Do you think I am so old and senile, Sienna?”
She bit her lip, trying to not let a smartass reply fall out. Devon held his hand out to Desmond, who shook it.
“Good to see you again,” Devon said. “Welcome.”
“Your Maestro awaits us, I think?” Desmond answered. “Do you know the way?”
“Yes,” Devon assured him. “She is waiting for you.”
“Sounds…hailful,” Sienna said and both of the turned to her in confusion.
‘Sienna?’
‘Ominous,’ she answered with her mind.
“Baleful,” Desmond answered. “The correct term is baleful, but that's not quite right. Ominous.”
Devon smiled at her as they walked. “Forgot how cute that was when you do that.”
“Ahem,” Desmond answered, raising an eyebrow.
Devon quirked an eyebrow right back. “This is the advantage to the Acheronian side, Maestro. Relationships are allowed.”
Desmond wondered if he was playing a part in that moment, but decided not to question it.
He allowed Devon to lead the two of them through the crowded streets and down back alleyways. They mostly walked in silence after that, trying not to give too much away with their voices or their minds. Devon did seem to know where he was going, though, and Desmond said nothing until he threw himself against a door in a black alleyway.
“Devon,” Desmond said, grabbing him. He didn't know the details of the boy's medical condition, but he wasn't sure if this type of behavior was a side effect.
Devon simply grinned. “It's okay,” he said. “This is the only way to get in.”
Sure enough, the door that had no handle suddenly flew open.
Devon led them through what looked like an abandoned kitchen and dark, dirty bedrooms. Desmond was about to ask him what was going on when he pushed through another door.
And there, in a well-lit area that had been hidden from the rest of the house, was Sybil, Kierry, and Laura.
“You made it,” Sybil said with a grin as she got up. Desmond was like a father to her, and she was always glad to see him. “Welcome to my undercover world. Kierry, can you take Sienna to go get settled, while I fill Desmond in?”
“Here,” Desmond handed over Sienna's rucksack that he had been carrying. “Be good.”
“Maestro,” said Sienna, outraged at his suggestion that she would cause trouble. He rolled his eyes, and she accepted that as an apology, happily following Devon and Kierry into the back
of the hidden house. “This is…big.”
“Sybil and I had plans when we found it,” Kierry said. Kierry was a tall sixteen-year-old who seemed so awe-inspiring and mature to Sienna. She always seemed confident with Sybil at her side, and the two made a fantastic pair. “All of you were in the plans from the start.”
“Good thing it worked out then,” Devon grinned. “This is my room,” he said, pointing. “So, Sienna, maybe this one?” He pushed opened the door to the left, showing a simple bed and closest. It wasn't grand, but she did note that it was as close to his room as possible.
“Uh…” She glanced around, looking for a hook. She occasionally needed IV infusions, but if she did, she needed a hook for them to work by gravity.
“Right,” Devon remembered without being asked, and pointed to the ceiling. “See? It's an old nail, but it should serve its purpose.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at him gently. She had missed him so much that it seemed surreal to just see him again. She knew they were on suspension for this very reason, but she couldn't help but reach out and touch his arm.
“I got you,” he answered, as Kierry headed back to the main room. Her hand lingered on his arm, and he put his own hand over it. “How are you, Sienna?”
“I'm….” She didn't have words to describe how she felt. “Exile is hard. But seeing you again makes it worth it. How are you?”
“Busy,” he said. “Since we last spoke, it's been a non-stop whirlwind. I don't think Laura and I have been home in three months.”
“Three months is a long time to not go back,” she said as she moved to sit on the bed.
“So is eight,” he answered, and she leaned against the headboard.
“Yes, but I haven't been saving the galaxy lately,” she said, as he sat on the foot of the bed. “You look–”
“I know,” he said, adjusting so he could put his feet up. It was comfortable to be sitting with him, Sienna thought. It was almost like they were a normal couple, on a normal day. “It's that obvious, eh?”
“But you're all right?”
“Oh yeah. I feel fine,” he said with a shrug. “But feeling fine is all in the mind, isn't it?”
Awakening The Dragon (Exiled Dragons Book 9) Page 42