Air Bound

by Christine Feehan

  He didn’t have the heart to force them to go back to their own rooms once they showed up. All of them suffered terrible nightmares, particularly Nicia. She seemed to do better when she was close to him. Lucia and Siena clung to Airiana. Benito was Maxim’s shadow. He’d even had to take the boy aside and give him “the talk” about how he needed alone time once in a while with Airiana. That had bought him a few small reprieves, but Benito seemed to need to be as close as possible to him too.

  They’re here, Max.

  I know, baby. We’ll be fine. Everyone knows what to do. Levi and Thomas will know, just as you do. Lissa too. Thomas will get word to Lexi and Blythe. Let’s get the children to safety.

  His one concern was Benito. The boy had a burning thirst for revenge and he had taken very seriously to heart the lecture Maxim had given him—particularly the part about protecting his family. Maxim woke him first. He put a finger to his lips.

  “They’ve come for Airiana, just like we figured they would. I need you to help me take the girls down to the safety of the secure room. It’s been ready for a few days, and Airiana’s work is put away.” She’d been locking it up to be safe in case they needed the room for the children.

  “I’m ready,” Benito whispered.

  He not only looked ready, but eager as well. Maxim nodded. “Good. Once we’re down there, I’m going to lock you in with the girls . . .”

  “No. No way. I’m coming with you. I can shoot a gun.”

  “Right, you can. I need you to protect the girls. I can’t do it, Benito, so I’m counting on you. I’m giving you a pistol, but if you leave that room, you’ll leave them unprotected. I have to know I can rely on you.”

  Benito’s face was a study in war. Part of him believed Maxim and the other part was certain he was being tucked away somewhere safe while the enemy came.

  “I don’t have time to argue. Either you’re going to help me with this or you’re not. I’m counting on you to be a man.” Maxim pushed a whip of command in his voice, as well as a touch of impatience.

  Benito squared his shoulders. “You can count on me. No one will get through that door to take them again.”

  Maxim nodded in approval. “I’m going to take the two little ones down the stairs. Watch my back for me. Let Airiana and Lucia down in front of you.”

  Benito pushed out his chest. “You got it.”

  Maxim nodded to Airiana and she gently woke Lucia while he scooped up the two younger girls. They moved together as a group through the house, in darkness, down the stairs to the basement below. No one spoke, but Lucia’s breathing was too fast.

  Maxim settled the two younger girls on one of the loveseats in the corner of the room where Airiana liked to put her feet up and stare off into space, presumably thinking. More often than not, they ended up making love, which he told her gave her even more to think about.

  He caught Lucia’s hands and looked into her eyes. “No one is going to hurt you or the girls or Benito again. You’ll be safe here. Don’t panic. You didn’t panic on the ship, and there are a lot more of us to stop them this time. Just sit down here and read a book or try to sleep. Benito will shoot anyone coming through the door if they don’t identify themselves properly.”

  She took a deep breath and nodded. “I want a gun too, Max.”

  “Sweetheart, you’ve only had two lessons, and the last time I took you out on the range, you shot just about everything but the target. It isn’t safe yet. You’ll get it down, but let’s wait so no one accidentally gets hurt.”

  “Levi told me to practice more and I should have listened.” She blinked back tears. “He showed me before you did, but I didn’t like it.”

  “Lexi doesn’t like it either, honey. That’s all right. We’re going to be fine. I need you to look after the little ones just in case they wake up. There’s a small bathroom off of this little sitting area.” He held out his hand to Airiana. “We have to go.”

  Airiana kissed Lucia. “We won’t be long, honey,” she promised.

  Benito held out his hand. “The pistol.”

  Maxim pinned him with steely eyes. “Don’t shoot anyone unless you have to, Benito. And don’t leave this room. Once I’m hunting, I’ll kill anyone I come across and you don’t want to be out there.”

  Do you think we should say arrest? Shouldn’t we try to arrest them?

  Maxim wasn’t going to dignify that with an answer. He wasn’t a cop, and these men had come to his home to take his family from him. He’d lost one once before, it wasn’t happening twice. He shot her a quelling look and she smiled at him.

  So sorry, Mr. Badass. It was just a suggestion.

  “Let’s get out there. Benito, the code word is nutmeg. If that word isn’t given, shoot. Do you understand?”

  Code word? Nutmeg? Are you kidding me? It was all she could do not to roll her eyes. Nutmeg seems to be a favorite code word for you.

  He has to feel important. I don’t want him trying to follow us. These men Evan sent are top players. They know what they’re doing and they’ll be well equipped. Which is where you women come in. Thomas and Levi tell me you can handle yourselves when you’re together. I need a good distraction while we pick them off.

  Benito nodded, his dark eyes going fierce. “I understand, Max. I won’t let you down.”

  Maxim couldn’t help himself, although the gesture startled both him and Benito. He leaned down and brushed a kiss on top of the boy’s head. “Keep them safe. Lock this door behind me.”

  Airiana followed Maxim up the stairs to the ground floor. The men Damon had sent had brought with them the supplies Maxim, Levi and Thomas had insisted they needed. It had been Maxim who had built the secret door into the side of the house where the bushes grew high and wild. He’d carved out a small pathway through the bushes were they couldn’t be seen from anywhere on the property.

  They rendezvoused with Airiana’s sisters in the small bunker prepared in the center of Airiana’s garden, just to the left of the gazebo. All of them had practiced for this moment hundreds of times, although only a few days had passed since Airiana and Maxim had come home. The men had worked them hard, not allowing anyone to go to work or do anything but go over the steps they would take when threatened.

  Even if Evan’s men tried to burn down Airiana’s house, the spacious room in the basement would, in theory, still stand and the children would survive. Airiana hoped they wouldn’t have to test that hypothesis. She greeted each of her sisters with a hug. Lexi shivered, but she stood her ground.

  “We’ve got this,” Airiana told Maxim. “Be safe. Go do whatever you need to do, but don’t let anything happen to any of the three of you.”

  Maxim caught her face in both hands and kissed her hard. Leaving her wasn’t the easiest thing he had to do, but these women all had enormous gifts. Each woman alone was a force to be reckoned with, but together, they made a frightening force. He stared into her blue eyes for a long moment, noting the gathering storm there.

  Airiana wouldn’t hide herself away, not when someone was threatening her family. Not when these men worked for the man who had sent the children to his ship to be abused and murdered.

  “I love you,” he said. The words came out husky, a voice he’d never used before, maybe even a little harsh. He’d never said them before, but he needed for her to know.

  She reached up and pulled his head down to kiss him a second time. “I love you right back. Now go. And be safe.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Maxim left her to it.

  Airiana turned her face up to catch the slight wind. At once the map of the farm sprang into her mind. The enemy had come in from three different directions. One group, at least five—I think I’m getting five—is coming in from the back entrance near the irrigation pond.

  Judith linked them all together, the six women and the three men.

  I can confirm t
hat, Thomas said. I’m moving in that direction now.

  How close are they to the pond? Rikki asked.

  They’re approaching it now, Airiana said, feeling the displacement of air near the pond’s end. They’re close to the small group of flowering trees we planted last year.

  Thomas, stay on high ground, Rikki advised. Judith, remember Levi, Thomas and Max are out there when you and Blythe give us a boost. Don’t be heavy-handed.

  I’ll do my best. You know when we’re all working together it can be hard. Blythe will need to keep us toned down.

  Airiana glanced up at the sky. Clouds drifted slowly above them, but with a little bit of heat she managed to pull water from every source into the clouds. Rikki lifted her hands, her fingers tapping into the air as if she might be tapping the keys of a typewriter. Airiana moved behind her, back to back, her own hands going up. The wind picked up, rushing toward the back of the property, back toward the pond.

  Maxim was shocked at the authority in Rikki’s voice. She was captain of her boat and she took it seriously. Apparently she was captain when she decided to wield her water talent as well. From his vantage point on the roof of Airiana’s house, he could see Thomas crouched near a small grove of trees, waiting to do his part.

  The wind hit the surface of the water, dipped low, and three geysers shot into the air, spinning fast, dancing across the pond, rising higher and higher. The twisters jumped from the pond to land, spinning madly, picking up debris along the way as they moved across the land now.

  The sight was a little disconcerting, even though Maxim knew what the women, as elements, were capable of. The twisters looked malevolent—alive—and bent on destruction. They raced toward the five intruders in silence while more formed in the water, springing up like mad, whirling soldiers.

  Dozens more leapt from the surface of the water, spinning madly, bending toward the mercenaries as the group approached the far side of the pond. In order to get to Airiana’s home they would have to walk close to the spinning tops of water.

  “What the hell?” the leader snapped, holding his fist up to still everyone’s approach.

  Airiana, where are the others coming in? Levi demanded.

  Airiana turned her attention from providing the propulsion of wind to the waterspouts back to the map of the farm, checking for displacement. Another group of five is coming in from the main entrance. They’re about halfway past Rikki’s house heading to Judith’s.

  I’ll take them, Levi said. And the last group?

  They’re dropping down from above, right into the clearing where the gazebo is. Right in front of us. Max, are you under cover, they should be able to see you.

  The men dropping on ropes from the helicopter were too close to the house and the hidden children. It was all well and good to give young Benito a gun, but he had no business actually shooting anyone. Airiana glanced toward the house, afraid for Max, afraid for the children.

  I’ve got them, Maxim said, his voice as always calm and confident. They’re in the helicopter, Airiana. Bring in the wind and slam it hard into their left side. Hard enough to spin them if you can. You know they won’t be able to see me. I’m the shadow man. I’d do it myself, but I’ll need to be ready to take them out from here.

  Don’t get overconfident, Levi said.

  Maxim laughed softly. You take care of your little band of mercs and I’ll take care of mine, baby brother. Lissa, are you ready? When Airiana brings in the wind, give me some fire, breathe it right through the helicopter.

  Can you do that? Airiana asked, startled. She’d never really considered what Lissa could or couldn’t do with fire.

  Of course. It’s all about energy and igniting the gasses in the air, Lissa replied.

  Lexi, I’ll need you to keep the men near Judith’s occupied while I get into position to pick them off, Levi said, ignoring Maxim.

  No problem, Levi. Lexi slipped her palms about an inch beneath the soil, listening intently. I’ve got them. Stay above the little dip Judith has near her arbor. Tell me when you’re clear. Blythe, Rikki needs Judith to boost her while Airiana is directing the wind. Can you give me a little extra power?

  Blythe never spoke of her gifts. She was a Drake, not an element, but she had power, and they suspected it had to do with unifying all of their gifts, not in the same way as Judith did, but in a much more subtle way. She soothed them all and yet could empower them as well. She seemed to be a melting pot of several gifts.

  I’ll do my best, Lexi, Blythe promised.

  Lexi pulled her hands from the soil, doubled them into two tight fists and angled her punch toward Judith’s home, mapping out the path of the tremor in her mind. She hit the ground hard, a one-two punch that sent a small ripple through the earth. As it moved toward the group of five men, the ripple spread and picked up speed. It shook the earth beneath the mercenaries, knocking them off their feet.

  One fell to the right of the group, almost under Levi’s nose. The man rolled, clutching his automatic weapon as if that would save him. Before he could come back up on his feet, Levi was on him, hooking him around the neck and snapping it fast, leaving him where he lay and scooting away. One of five, he reported.

  Airiana concentrated on the helicopter. Maxim had said to bring the wind in hard from the left, to slam it into the stealthy helicopter. She took a deep breath and called the wind to her. She felt the rapid buildup of power—of energy—suddenly aware of the roiling gasses in the air around the helicopter. Sparks crackled around the rotor blade and body of the craft.

  The wind slapped at the helicopter, swatting it like a bug, nearly knocking it from the sky. At the same time, the helicopter rocked wildly from side to side, the buildup of electricity in the air tangible. The sparks surrounding the craft and the ropes burst into flames. The wind fanned the flames so that the helicopter appeared to be a ball of orange-red in the sky. The ropes caught fire.

  Maxim rolled from the low side of the roof, directly over the spot where the first of the team had landed after fast-roping down as the rope above him burst into flames. Maxim waited until the man began to rise cautiously and dropped directly on him, wrapping his legs tightly around the man’s neck, driving him back to the ground as he snapped his neck. Immediately he rolled into the brush and scooted forward toward the next target he had marked.

  Above his head the helicopter spun like a top, throwing one of the men to the ground while the other three slid down their ropes fast to give the pilot time to try to find a place to land the burning craft.

  Hit him again with the wind, Airiana, drive him out to sea, Maxim commanded as he came up behind his next mark, his knife in hand. He drove the blade deep, one hand over the merc’s mouth to keep him silent until the life drained out of him. Two down. They won’t get into the house, Airiana, I promise you that. Lissa, can you make your way around toward me?

  Lissa was much smaller than he was, so slight she barely made a shadow on the ground. She was dressed in dark clothing and had tightly braided her hair. Maxim had watched her closely during their numerous training periods and she had skills when it came to combat. She was absolutely calm in any situation he or one of his brothers had thrown at her.

  I’m making my way toward you now, coming in from the south. Are you in position to take the man crouched in the flower bed? Lissa asked.

  I’m in front of him. There’s no way to get on him without being seen. I can’t risk the gunfire yet, it would alert the other teams, Maxim said.

  He won’t be able to see you in a couple of seconds, Lissa assured.

  A stream of bright orange-red flames crackled and danced in the air, a fiery whip extending from the helicopter to the ground. The whip lashed at the spot where the third mercenary had crouched low, cradling his weapon, frantically looking around with his night goggles to see what, if anything was coming at him.

  The whip suddenly went white-h
ot, a dazzling display lighting up the ground as if it were a lightning bolt, blinding the team members wearing night vision.

  Maxim was on the third mercenary immediately, moving with blurring speed, using his body weight to control the weapon while his blade sank into the man’s heart and his hand covered his mouth. The man died staring at him. For a moment, he recognized Maxim. Maxim had seen him a few times over the years, always for hire to anyone who would pay him, uncaring what the job was.

  Maxim lowered the body silently to the ground and slid into the shadows. That’s three. Lissa, you’ve got one to the right of you. Don’t move, I don’t want him to fire his weapon. Just ease down to the ground, keeping every movement slow and I’ll work my way over to you. We’ll trap him between us.

  Maxim tried not to worry about the woman, but he’d called her out of the safety bunker, knowing she would be the best one to get onto the roof to watch over the children. If necessary, he knew Lissa would kill to protect the others. Killing up close was far different than from a distance. It would bother her, but she’d be able to live with herself.

  The children had to be protected on the off chance that whoever was running the operation had a couple of others waiting until everyone else was occupied. They could sneak in and supposedly grab Airiana or the children. That’s what he would have done—sacrificed the pawns to get the queen. Lissa was his best bet against that possibility.

  I need a little help controlling these waterspouts, Rikki said. I’ve got too many of them. Thomas, stay back until I know I’ve still got all of them under control.

  Airiana threw the wind at the helicopter, doing her best to hurl the craft out over the ocean. She didn’t want a forest fire or the thing crashing on someone’s home. The moment she saw that the helicopter, now engulfed in flames, was over the ocean, she turned back to help Rikki.