by Naomi Sparks
I wish I had a good one, one that he would understand. Instead, I panic and use my power, trying to push my thoughts into his, to make him believe going to Nevada is a bad idea. Of course, it has no effect. He's much stronger than I am. There's no way my meager ability is going to be enough to work on Lex.
But then I use my power on the human women standing just behind him, instead. Their minds are softer, less guarded against invasion. It's easy to slip into them and plant the seeds of doubt.
"Maybe she has a point," Kyra says, looking over at Lex. "It's pretty much guaranteed Amasis will be there. Is it a good idea to go barging in like that?"
Hannah nods her head, stepping closer to Lex, leaning against him. She looks up into his eyes, using her bond with him. "I don't want you to get hurt," Hannah says. She pats her stomach gently. "Think of the baby. What will it be like for the baby without without a father to guide them? I can't do it alone."
Faith walks over just with her eyes fixed on me. Out of everyone, she seems to be the one who hates me the most. Or perhaps, she's the one who hates me most openly. I'm sure Katia, the Fae warrior, has a deeper hatred since I'm partly the reason her people are being held captive. But if I can use my power on Faith and plant doubts, then maybe Lex will understand this isn't a good idea.
Before Faith even has a chance to say anything to us, I exert my will, pushing my thoughts onto hers. I'm stronger now than before, and I can feel her will buckling under mine. It takes a moment, but then Faith turns to Lex.
"Are you sure about going to Nevada? Is it really a good idea to go up against Amasis on his own turf? No doubt he knows we're coming..." Her words sound genuine, and I have to bite back a smile. It shouldn't please me this much to be able to work my magic on her, but after having her rooting around in my mind, I can't deny the satisfaction it gives me.
Lex frowns. He looks at the three women for a moment, mulling over their complaints. Once again, I try to use my influence on him, hoping maybe the women have given me enough leverage to work with. I don't feel the same sensation I did with them, but I hope my little ruse has worked.
I can't let them go to Nevada and get themselves killed.
As Lex is still mulling this over, Faith's head snaps my way, and she glares at me. "Get out of my head, damn it," she practically growls. The way she'd looked at me moments ago was nothing compared to the fire in her eyes now. She would make a good dragon, I find myself thinking. Then I feel her mental backlash, and I stumble.
Bren reaches out to steady me, his gaze flickering between me and Faith. He hasn't quite figured it out, but Faith's mental strike is enough for Hannah and Kyra to break free of the magic. They both blink a couple times, then frown, like they're trying to figure out what just happened.
Lex, on the other hand, isn't as slow as the rest of them. He understands Faith's meaning instantly. He steps in front of the women, standing directly before me, blocking my vision of them. He glares at me, an intense fire burning behind his gaze. "I will say this once and only once. If you attempt to use your power against us again, I will have the Fae bind you with every spell they have at their disposal. Do you understand?"
I heat at his words, then nod. For the first time, I feel guilty about trying to influence them. I'm not sure why it bothers me so much, but it does. These people aren't my friends. They're supposed to be my enemies. And hell, I'd been trying to help them. So why do I feel guilty about it? It's not like I tried to convince them to jump off a cliff or something.
"Come on," Bren says softly, leading me away from everyone else, back toward where his tent is. He's quiet for a bit, but he keeps his hand on me. I'm not sure if it's so I don't run or if he's afraid I might stumble again. Either way, I like his touch and don't want him to let go.
My head spins as I try to get a grip. Why do I keep feeling like this? Why do I have so much trouble understanding my own thoughts and feelings lately? I'm not like this. I'm much more clear-headed.
"Do you want to tell me what happened back there?" Bren asks, his voice low and calm. Something about the way he looks at me tells me he knows exactly what I did. But he wants to hear it from me. Is it a test? Or a trap? I'm not sure which, but I see no reason to lie to him.
So I admit to influencing the women to steer Lex away from going to Nevada. I tell him about trying to use my power on Lex directly but being unable to. Bren nods and listens to me. I keep waiting for him to lash out at me, to tell me how foolish I am, how worthless I am, but the words nor strikes ever come.
"Why don't you want us to go to Nevada?" he asks instead. When I look into his eyes again, I don't see anger there. I don't even see annoyance. He's genuinely curious, like my opinion actually matters to him.
"It's a suicide mission," I say. "Amasis will be there. So will other members of the Council. Most of Amasis's inner circle was in residence last time I was there. If you go there, you will all die. Even as strong as you are, even with the Fae warriors, even with your humans and their powers. You don't stand a chance against him."
Bren frowns. "What would you have us do then?"
"Run. Hide. Try to drop off the radar. If you don't cause trouble for Amasis, eventually he'll give up and move on." I bite my lip as I wait for his reply. I hope to any God up there he will. If I can convince Bren, maybe he can help me convince the others. A small part of me wants to try and use my influence on him, but I refuse. I won't use it on him. I'm not sure it would work anyway.
Bren lets out a sigh. He looks up at the sky, and I again find myself wishing I was able to read minds. Things must be so much easier for Faith, being able to know what her mate is thinking, to be able to find the right things to say all the time. I envy her. I hate to admit it, but I envy the human woman for that.
"I wish we could just walk away from all of this, truly I do. I do not like conflict, especially not at the scale I know is coming." Bren lets out a sigh, then shakes his head. "We made a promise to the Fae to help rescue their people. Asking us to hide is asking us to break the promise. The relationship between the Fae and our kind is already so fragile. Going back on that promise to save ourselves will only shatter it permanently. Besides, we also need to gain access to the labs there, to find anything we can that will help Hannah with her pregnancy."
I frown at the idea. They're risking their lives just because of a promise? And because of a pregnancy that was doomed from the start? "Why do you care so much about the pregnancy? She's a human. Not even a Fae. It's obvious humans aren't strong enough to handle carrying a dragon child to term. If they were, they wouldn't have so much trouble. The entire idea should be abandoned as foolish."
Bren laughs, then shrugs. "I don't disagree with you. Humans are fragile compared to us. Any of the women Amasis is holding captive, using for his breeding experiments, should have their pregnancies terminated, to save their lives. But don't mates deserve the chance to have a child of their own? You've seen Lex and Hannah together. Can you deny how happy they are together? Shouldn't they have the same opportunities mates of our kind have? If we can help them, then we owe it to them."
We walk in silence as I mull over everything he says. I want to argue with him, want to disagree, but I can't. I have seen the two of them together. I've seen the way they look at each other, how they speak to each other. It's very different from how I've seen the mates of our kind act together, that's for sure. Still, I dread the idea of them going on a suicide mission just for that.
Bren, however, continues after a few moments. "Besides, I can't turn my back on everything Amasis has done. Is doing. He's become a tyrant, using his power to inflict his will on the world. He sees anyone who isn't a dragon as beneath him. Just look at his breeding project. Look at what he's done to the Fae. Does our kind really deserve to continue living if these distorted means we are willing to take to achieve that end?"
He's given me a lot to think about. I want to immediately dismiss his opinion, to tell him that the survival of our race is more important than anything e
lse. But I can't. Each time I open my mouth to say those words, nothing comes out. Each time I do, I remember how those Fae had looked, coming out of their cells. They are a reminder of the dragon females I've seen being forced to mate with men to try and breed more dragons.
Once again, my mind is in turmoil as I try to figure out my own thoughts. What is it about Bren that has me questioning beliefs I've held for so long? What is it about him that makes me want to turn the world completely upside down?
I help him pack up his tent. He shows me how it all fits together, how everything inside will fit into his saddlebags. A week ago, I would've considered the work beneath me. But now, I'm thankful for it. It gives me something to focus on other than the thoughts running rampant through my head. Bren talks as we work, but it's simple directions mostly, explaining how everything should go.
He seems to sense I have a lot on my mind and is content to leave me to my thoughts for the most part. And once we finish packing up all of his things, we begin working on the other tents, since the rest of his friends are still busy helping the Fae. The Fire Riders, it seems, are used to traveling much lighter than the Fae are. They live on their bikes, never staying in one place very long. The Fae are used to moving their camps via magic and having more comforts than the Fire Riders are used to.
The sun is high up in the sky when we finally finish packing up camp. The Fire Riders bring their bikes up to the front of the caravan. Bren offers to help me onto his bike, but I roll my eyes and step on myself. I may not be a biker like him, but I'm not helpless. And this time, I'm not fighting him over it. In fact, sitting behind him, pressing against his chest, is comfortable.
I let out a sigh as I lean against him. I want to feel his arms wrapped around me, but I know he can't do that while we ride. So I'll just have to settle for this for now. Tonight, when we make camp again, I'll be able to feel him hold me. Until then, I just need to wait.
As we ride, I find myself wondering what our relationship is. I don't regret last night. I know I should, but I don't. Even though I know our relationship can't last. I try to push those thoughts from my head. I don't want to think about the future right now. It's easier to just live in the present, to focus on the here and now.
The problem is my mind turns back to all the things Bren said this morning. I don't want to think about those things either, but I need to. Unlike my relationship with Bren, the situation with Amasis and the Nevada compound will need to be addressed. Soon.
I sigh and close my eyes. When had my life gotten so complicated?
8
Bren
It takes two days to get to the Nevada facility. I enjoy having Saphira pressed against me during the long hours on the road. It certainly beats riding alone, that's for sure. And each night, when we retreat to my tent for the night, I thoroughly enjoy having her naked in my arms.
We're up way too late, discovering new ways to make love to each other. Saphira fits against me like the two of us were made for each other. Even though I shouldn't be getting attached to her, I never want to let her go. She's become a part of me, and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to live without her once this is over.
We found a clearing where the Fae are setting up a small camp. Tonight, we keep it light. Since Amasis is supposedly in residence, we may have to get in and get out in a hurry. If that's the case, the Fae need to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. I notice Hannah and the other human women don't try to argue about going along with us. Everyone knows the risks at hand, knows what's at stake. They'll stay close to the Fae, helping with the ones we'd rescued. The weakened Fae have come a long way under Tyko's expert care, but they're still weak and slow. If we have to leave quickly, they'll need all the help they can get.
Saphira comes along with me when we all discuss the plan. Lex asks her for the exact location of the compound, and Saphira tells him. She gives us what she claims is our best approach to the compound with minimum casualties and points the sites out on the map Lex has laid out. I can tell everyone is skeptical. Lex, in particular, seems to study her carefully as she speaks.
I wait for him to call over Faith, to have her search through Saphira's mind to find out if she's telling the truth or not. But, surprisingly, he doesn't. He seems to believe her, and I'm not sure what shocks me more. Saphira being helpful or Lex not doubting her. For all we know, she could be leading us into a trap.
I doubt it. She really didn't want us to come here. She won't lead us into a trap now.
Now we question what to do with her while we are in the compound. Having her along might be risky. She could alert everyone inside somehow. When we run into the guards, she might turn on us, stab us in the back in a fight. But if we leave her here, it could be even worse. She might go directly to the compound, and warn them we're coming. Or she might try to take advantage of our camp being lightly defended and try to capture the remaining Fae and bring them to her father as a gift.
I don't see her doing any of that, but I can't risk everyone's safety based on my gut instincts. I'll never forgive myself if I'm wrong. Nor do I think the others will ever forgive me if Saphira betrays us, and I've enabled her.
Finally, with a sigh, I ask her to come on the raid with us. She looks at me, surprised, then frowns, like she wants to argue. Finally, she lets out a sigh and nods.
"I need you to promise you won't betray us in there. You won't try to alert the guards. You won't try to stab us in the back." I hate having to say those words, but I have no choice. I'm sure Saphira will honor her word. If she promises not to hinder our operation, she won't.
Saphira's frown deepens. She watches me, and I wait, wondering what she'll say. Will she be able to make that promise? Or is she already thinking of ways she can turn us over to her father? Time slows to a crawl as I wait for her response. "If I promise, will you promise me my freedom once you have your people back?"
I let out a sigh. I don't want to agree to that because I don't want to think about her leaving. The last couple nights with her have been beyond anything I've ever experienced. I don't want that to come to an end. But if she really wants to leave, then what right have I to keep her against her will?
"If that's what you want," I tell her.
Saphira nods. "Then I give you my word."
And with that, we join the others getting ready to storm the castle. The Fae warriors have their weapons, and everyone is on high alert now. We won't be splitting the group this time. If this place is as heavily fortified as Saphira has suggested, we'll need to concentrate our forces. If we split up, we risk one or both groups being overpowered. If we all stick together though, we have a good chance at being able to punch a hole right through their defenses.
We move quickly but quietly, following the map Saphira drew out for us. It doesn't take long until we hit the boundary of the compound. Once we do, we have to move slower, being careful how much noise we make. It's almost guaranteed that everyone there will be a dragon, which means they'll have the same acute senses we do. Any noise we make might alert them to our presence and cause them to set off alarms.
The Fae use a bit of magic to help hide our approach, and I am thankful we have them along. Their magic isn't quite as powerful as Lex's invisibility, but so long as we're careful, it should hide us for a while.
Lex and Faris scout ahead of us, using their invisibility to watch for any guards that might be on patrol. Each time they find one, they signal to us, and we all move in at once, striking swiftly to take out the target. We're not leaving anyone standing this time. Any men we don't take out now are men we might have to take on later, without the luxury of surprise.
The pace is slow and agonizing. My skin starts to crawl, and once again, I get a strange feeling. I glance over at Saphira, walking alongside me. She's been quiet the entire time, frowning, and I wonder if she's sensing it, too. Something is off.
There're more guards on this compound than there were in California. I hope that's a good sign. If they have more guards watching the p
lace, that has to mean there's something important going on here, right? You don't waste this much manpower if there's not something inside worth watching. So maybe it's just my nerves making everything feel off. After all the warnings from Saphira, it's only natural to be nervous about this fight, right?
We stop behind a large rock outcropping, peering at the facility from behind it. It looks just like any company facility might, generic and plain on the outside. There is nothing to suggest the horrors that take place inside its walls. The only clue that it's not just your run of the mill company are the men wandering around outside, looking ready for a fight.
"This is it," Lex says, his voice even lower than usual. He looks each one of us in the eyes, then nods. "The Fae are our primary target, followed by any research on their breeding project. Fighting Amasis and the Council isn't our objective. Only engage with them if you absolutely must, understood?"
We all nod back. None of us are too eager to go toe to toe with Amasis or the Council. Not yet, anyway. Small, tactical strikes make more sense because our numbers are so limited compared to theirs. If we try to get into an all-out fight against them, they'll most likely crush us with their sheer numbers. Our best bet is to get in, take out as many people as we can, get the Fae, and get out. Then, we can regroup, strengthen our numbers, and go for a second strike. Once the Fae have their people back and rested, their magic can add to our strength, possibly giving us the advantage we'll need to crush Amasis once and for all.
But that's all in the future. Right now, we just need to stay on task.
Again, Lex and Faris go first. With their powers combined with the Fae stealth magic, I can't see the slightest indication of where they've gone. We just have to trust them this time. We wait a few moments, counting down the time in our heads. Then, we all move out from behind the rocks at once, charging for the main entrance.