Tainted Rescue

by Jenn Vakey

Leeya sighed and nodded. I didn't want to think about her needing to use them. I knew it wouldn't be possible for them to get in and out without a confrontation. There would at least be a fight at the facility. And I wouldn't be there to have her back.

  “I love you, Leeya,” I said, then kissed her just behind her ear. She basically said it last night, and she had to the Sentry at the archway. Although she didn't know I knew about that. I hadn't said it back yet, but I'd known for a while. Even when I was mad at her. That was part of the reason I was so angry in the first place. Because it made it hurt so much more. Then I had even more anger because of the pain that came with missing her.

  “I love you too,” she said softly, tracing her fingers over my arm. “In case you haven’t figured that out yet.”

  * * *

  Four in the morning was the designated time for everyone to leave Alkwin. There had been some debate about whether or not the people staying behind could leave later. In the end, we decided to have everyone leave at the same time. That way the rest of our people would be safe in the unlikely event that Sentry overtook us on the way to Eden. The only people staying behind were Orson, Stassa, and the prisoners.

  “How long will you be gone?” Linley asked, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. We stayed in the dorm to say our goodbyes. That way we wouldn't have to worry about onlookers.

  “Just a couple days,” Leeya said, rubbing her hand up and down Linley’s back. “We’ll be back out of Eden and on our way home by tomorrow morning.”

  A knock on the door stopped us before we could give her any more assurances. Leeya looked back, waiting until I had put Linley down and kissed her head before she opened the door.

  “Sorry,” Auggie said, giving Linley a smile. “We're ready to leave. So is her group.”

  I nodded and crouched down to her level. “Stay with the group the entire time. No wandering off.”

  “Okay,” she said meekly. With as traumatic as that last time had been, hopefully it was enough to put an end to her defiant need to be independent and explore.

  “And make sure Kip stays out of trouble,” Leeya added. “Don't let him sneak extra treats. Noella has the biscuits that were made for him.”

  “I bet Zaydan can help you teach him some cool tricks while we're gone,” Auggie smirked. “Do what you can to keep him out of trouble too. Don’t feel bad if it’s too difficult to do. I’ve been trying and failing for years.”

  Linley giggled and nodded.

  We grabbed our gear and followed Auggie out.

  “Zaydan still making a fuss about not going?” I asked.

  Auggie gave me an incredulous look that was answer enough. Zaydan didn't like being left behind, especially when his brother and girlfriend were both going. He was a good fighter, but we wouldn't have access to the water he needed. Both Auggie and Evanly were needed, so he was just left unhappy.

  “Evanly offered to stay with him, but he's not that selfish. Her ability to distract men is too valuable here,” he said.

  He was right on that point. Her combined vampire and siren abilities gave her the ability to seduce and distract men. To make them bend to her will. It was handy when it came to getting out of difficult situations.

  We walked outside and said our final goodbyes to Linley. Then it was time.

  Even though we were leaving early enough to make it to Eden by the end of the day if we moved quickly, we still decided to take a different route. It was a little more dangerous, with a higher chance of running into animals, but it wasn't likely we'd encounter Sentry. We couldn't risk Eden being alerted to our plan. Surprise was our best advantage here.

  No one really talked for the first several hours. Between people still waking up and thinking about what the night would bring, most people were in their own heads.

  “What time will we get in?” Leeya asked, slowing from where she been talking to Lamont to take my side at the back of the group.

  “We should be there around five, but we won't approach the wall until close to seven,” I answered.

  It wasn't something we discussed in the meeting, but it was standard procedure. We never went in or out unless we had the cover of darkness. That was even more important with a group this size. A lot of care had gone into keeping how we overcame the wall a secret. If the Eden government knew, it would be impossible to get people out safely. There was no way we could go over the wall with ladders like the Sentry.

  “I'm nervous,” she admitted. “This isn't like facing a few Sentry on the path. This is their turf. One with thousands of innocent people who could get caught in the middle.”

  I wanted to hold her hand, to comfort her. I couldn't. It wasn't the right time. The only thing people needed to think about was the mission.

  “Will be okay,” I told her. “They won't be on alert, and we should outnumber the Sentry they have at the facility. With our distraction, will be in and out before they really know what's going on. Then we can focus on the next big thing for us.”

  She looked over and smiled. “As in a wedding?”

  I shrugged, but I could barely stop from smiling. I never saw myself as being this guy. I'd even been in a relationship for over a year and still never had the desire to take a wife. It was Leeya. She challenged me and brought me out of the shell I'd been in since my abilities first showed. She was someone I actually wanted in my bed when I woke up every morning.

  “How's your sister going to take it?”

  She laughed. “Her first reaction will probably be thinking that she lost her mind while they had her. What about your brother?”

  “Seeing as he's thought I've been dead for the past four years, I imagine he'll be pretty surprised.”

  That was actually part of what made it even harder when I'd been told he had been killed. I left my entire family without giving them the opportunity to decide if they accepted me. Four years passed that I completely missed, always telling myself I would get a chance to reconnect one day. Then that was just gone. That was one of the main reasons I was so glad I went to my father about my sister. I'd mended that bridge before it really was too late. Hopefully I would get that chance with Gryffin.

  Staying at the back of the group for the rest of the journey, Leeya and I talked about hopeful things. We talked about the future. The plans I'd drawn up for the house. How excited Linley was going to be when we told her she could live there with us. How we thought our families would adjust to life in Alkwin. It helped to ease our nerves, and reminded us what we were really fighting for. Families. Life.

  With the short breaks we took and the lack of trouble, we reached the woods outside of Eden at half past five. Dark set half an hour later, but we still sat back and waited, relying on our people inside to give us information.

  The hour dragged on at a snail's pace. Then it was finally time.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  LEEYA

  My heart pounded when Harun’s voice came through the communicator that had been smuggled in to him the night before and told us it was time to move in. I stayed close to Rhydian’s side, moving quietly with the group as we made for the hidden opening in the wall. I could see now why this place had been chosen for the exit. Unlike some of the other areas I could see, the tree cover was tight nearly the entire way there. With the darkness, even the few sparser places wouldn't let us be easily seen.

  Rhydian and I were among the first through. He stepped back, letting me go first. The face that greeted me pulled the air from my lungs.

  “Pax!” I gasped, running the few feet forward and throwing my arms around him. He tensed at the contact, but only for a moment. I forgot it wasn't something he was used to. The shock only lasted a few seconds, though, before he met the embrace. He held me tightly, like it was something he desperately needed.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, stepping back to take in the face I had been certain I'd never see again.

  “Dallin filled me in,” he answered. “I can't believe she's been in that place this
whole time.” He shook his head, guilt and regret evident. “I have Grower jumpsuits hidden near the site. I'm going with you to get her out.”

  I felt movement behind me and turned to see Rhydian looking at us. There wasn't even a touch of jealousy there. Nothing like with Alister. In fact, he was actually smiling. That small one that was only ever in his eyes, but it was still there.

  “Is that who I think it is?” Paxton gaped, staring wide-eyed at him.

  “How is it you recognize him and I didn't?”

  Paxton shrugged. “There's a picture of the royal family in the Sentry station. You know the old man would always take me in with him when he didn't want me hanging out with you. Which means I was there a lot.”

  I laughed. It was true.

  “Leeya,” another voice said. This one was filled with so much relief, and it warmed me to the core.

  I spun in place and saw Dallin pushing through the group to reach me. Tears filled my eyes just at the sight and I ran to him, throwing myself into his arms.

  “I missed you so much,” I said, my face buried in his chest. “Every day.”

  “You too, sweetheart,” he said, pulling back to look at me. He smiled, his fingers flicking at my hair. “You cut it off.”

  “It's her warrior hair,” Rhydian said from my side.

  I smiled and nodded, then motion toward him when Dallin’s attention shifted. “This is Rhydian. Rhydian, this is Dallin.”

  Two of the most important men in my life exchanged greetings. It was brief, but we had work to do.

  Harun was handing out the jumpsuits, motioning into the house to get the crowd out of sight. Rhydian and I took ours, but we went behind the building instead. After changing, me into Sentry black and him Maker orange, we took a minute to just be together.

  “Channel 3,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “No one will be on it. Alert me if you need me and it will be a place we can talk.”

  I nodded, then pushed up and took his lips with mine. They were firm, but so soft. “I love you,” I said, allowing them to brush for another moment before stepping back. “Let me know when you get back to the wall. I'll call when I have them.”

  “This winter,” he said, pushing my hair back behind my ear. “For the wedding. We didn't talk about it.” I bit my lower lip and nodded. “I love you, Leeya. Be careful. I'll see you soon.”

  Watching him walk away with the others in his group was one of the hardest things I've ever done. As planned, they split into three groups. Until the walkways were filled with people leaving their houses, it would be the safest option.

  My group, now thirteen strong with Paxton, only needed to split in two dressed as Sentry. We waited as planned for five minutes, then started the twenty minute walk there.

  Walking through the city was almost surreal. At the same time, I had both the urge to grip the batons for security and a sense of nostalgia. I never thought I’d actually miss any part of this place.

  “So,” Paxton said, falling into step beside me. “I’m guessing by that hug that things are a lot different on the outside.”

  I smirked and nodded. “You have no idea. It really is like two different worlds.”

  “I’m leaving with you after we get her back,” he said, not the faintest bit of hesitation in his voice. “I already have a bag ready at the wall.”

  “What about your family?” I asked, remembering how close he and his mother were.

  Pax shook his head. “My father knew this was happening. It’s not okay.”

  I wanted to be shocked, but I really wasn’t. He would have gone with us the first time if we would have let him. Anything to be with Lillith.

  “Well, you’re in for a treat when we get to the facility,” I grinned. He looked over with questioning eyes, which only made my smile grow. “You get to see how much being out there changes a person. You get to see me fight.”

  His eyes moved to the batons on my hips, but he didn’t look convinced. “Like you said, it’s a lot different.”

  “So you’ve actually learned to fight?” he asked skeptically. “As in with other people? Tell me this isn’t going to be your first practical application.”

  My smile fell. I could see why he’d think so. Six weeks. That’s how long I’d been gone. How could so much have happened since then?

  “Leeya?” he asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

  I sighed. It was news best heard from me. It was common knowledge in Alkwin, which meant he would learn about it if he was going back with us. “My abilities triggered with Adler. But he wasn’t the first. Or the last.”

  Paxton grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to a stop, his expression harder. The shock had apparently been enough to make him initiate contact. “You killed him?”

  I swallowed and nodded. “Them. It’s not something we ever want to do, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.”

  He was still staring in shock when we started walking again. We couldn’t fall behind. “I… Wow. Are you okay?”

  Nodding, I said, “Adler was going to kill Rhydian. Evran. Assassinate him to take the crown. Like he did Phineas. Then he was going to kill Lil.”

  Pax growled, his shoulders tensing. I could see the shock there at learning what Adler had done. I hadn’t even considered that he wouldn’t know, although I should have. Only our allies in the city would have been told. Dallin might have told him about my sister, but I couldn’t see him filling him in on the rest. But it quickly passed. “Then the bastard deserved it.”

  I smiled at that.

  The groups converged near the facility while we waited for Rhydian’s team to do their part. Pax took Auggie with him, coming back minutes later with what looked like two dozen Grower uniforms.

  I took a breath, then signaled the communicator to let the others know to tune in, and informed them that we were in place.

  “Chemicals are in,” Jaythan said, sounding like he was choking. “It won’t take long.”

  Then I heard Rhydian. “Cutting power in five, four, three, two, one.”

  As the word came through, a cascading failure started that quickly swept through Eden. In only a few seconds, the only lights on were the street lamps that had individual solar packs.

  My eyes turned to the building two down from where we stood. My heart was pounding, and I was silently hoping we had the right spot. Then, after no more than ten seconds, the lights within came back on. With them, I released my breath. Backup power was a good sign. Very few places had it.

  “Moving in,” I said, then switched my mic off to keep the line clear.

  “Pax, stay back and follow as we clear the rooms,” I said, looking out over my team. He nodded, but looked amused at me giving the orders. Apparently he hadn’t been told. Oh well. “Auggie, Jaron, and Verity, you’re with me.”

  As my smaller group joined me, we walked to the building and right through the front door. Not knowing if they would recognize me from Lillith, I let Auggie and Jaron take the lead.

  “Evening,” Auggie said, nodding to the two Sentry sitting behind the desk. “We’re having power issues city wide. We were sent to make sure it isn’t compromising your security.”

  The one closest shook his head. “Our backup reserve has a fourteen hour charge. It will be enough to get us to dawn when the cells will recharge.”

  “How heavy is your staff at the moment?” Jaron asked.

  The second man, who was watching security monitors, answered, “We have six Sentry inside, along with two Healers.”

  “Okay,” Auggie nodded, then motioned back toward Verity and me. “We’re going to leave you with a couple extra.”

  Before they could argue, Verity and I were already walking behind the desk. The first guy stood up, likely to tell us he would need approval, but he didn’t get that far. I had one of my batons out before he even realized it. It didn’t take more than a single strike to the head to drop him. His body hadn’t even hit the floor yet before Verity had the other in a choke hold. Then it was done. />
  “Team one, move in now,” I said over the communicator. Verity and Auggie moved the Sentry down to the floor under the desk and were restraining them when the rest of my team came in.

  “Jarrell and Syrus, take the seats here. Watch the monitors and let us know if there are any surprises. Counts are six Sentry and two Healers. Pax, follow one room behind. Get people into the Grower uniforms as we free them. No one leaves until we have everyone.”

  The group gave a collective nod.

  The next room we walked into was small and empty. The door had a coded lock on it, but my guys at the desk must have been able to override it. The moment it unlocked, we pushed out into the familiar long hallway.

  Whatever lingering doubts I might not have been able to keep down were effectively squashed. We had found them.

  We might have been dressed as Sentry, but our large numbers immediately put the ones in the hall on guard. Four of them, two at each end. I swung out and attacked the closest. The power going out must have put them on guard, because their batons were already in hand. He fought back, but my adrenaline was coursing too strongly. I was close, so close. Nothing was going to stop me from getting my sister.

  My baton had just struck his head when I heard an echoing crack. I thought for a moment that it was my blow. Then it really registered. I swung my gaze down the hall and watched one of the Sentry aiming a gun at our charging people.

  Cyril, a man I didn’t really know well from Alkwin, was on the ground. The Sentry started firing wildly down the hall. Many ducked and dodged. I was too focused on Cyril, watching as his chest rose and fell. A mistake. Just as another shot sounded, I felt a pain rip through my side. I’d been shot. Again. Unlike with Adler, though, I had too much else going on to allow the pain to get to me.

  “Cover!” Verity yelled.

  I crouched down immediately, dropping my batons to the ground just below me and slapping my hands over my ears. The rest of our people did the same, but not the Sentry. They had been too slow to pick up on what was going on.

  While Verity’s scream ripped through the hall, Auggie leveled his gun at the Sentry. The blast knocked him back, the gun he’d been clinging to falling from his hand.