Millie understood the feeling. “But think of it this way—if you don’t, they’ll kill us. And then the whole world could die. I’d say it’s necessary in this case.”
Closing her eyes, Kiarra summoned a flame on each hand. As they dance, the light reflected off the metal bits of the helicopter.
A small part of Millie was jealous that she didn’t have any sort of magical powers. But then she pushed the feeling away. Having magic was both a burden and a curse, as she’d seen with both Kiarra and Millie’s eldest brother, Garrett.
The reflections vanished as Kiarra directed one stream of flame from her hands to outside the helicopter. A second later, another stream swam through the air, out of Millie’s sight.
Too bad she was strapped to the seat and couldn’t watch it make its mark.
Something finally exploded behind them and Millie’s helicopter veered off to the left, hard. Petra slid to the side, but Will tightened his grip and kept the woman in place.
As the commotion calmed down, Millie noted that the snow, rain, and high winds died.
Millie’s intuition said there was a connection.
Jaxton shut the side door and maneuvered Kiarra to an empty seat. While Kiarra was still conscious, the dark rings under her eyes and her pale face spoke volumes.
Looking to her brother, Millie asked, “Did you get both of them?”
“No,” Jaxton answered. “But as soon as Kiarra hit one, the other retreated.” He paused and put a finger to his ear. “The pilot confirms the retreat and is getting the hell out of here.”
As Jaxton put an arm around Kiarra’s shoulder and drew her against his side, Kiarra closed her eyes. Everyone fell silent; the whir of the blades above was almost relaxing in the aftermath.
Millie used the time to run through every Feiru legend and myth she’d heard from childhood to the present. There was something familiar about the sudden shift in the weather, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint it.
Whatever it was, Millie sensed it would cause DEFEND a major headache in the future.
Chapter Eleven
Two days later, Will sat inside a room in DEFEND’s infirmary in northern England and stroked Leyna’s hand. She remained unconscious, but he wanted her to know he was at her side.
The doctors had assured him there wasn’t any swelling in Leyna’s brain and that the break in her leg would mostly heal clean. They’d also issued a warning against any more magical healing since it was unknown whether too much of it could harm a patient. Apparently, all records had been lost in the great purge of Feiru-related information in the 1950s.
If Will had anything to say about it, he would help rediscover the limits of his own power.
But that didn’t help him in the present. Neither doctor had guaranteed anything about Leyna waking up without any brain damage. He hated being powerless to change that.
He murmured, “Come on, woman. We wasted two years. Let’s not waste any more time.”
Leyna remained motionless except for the rise and fall of her chest.
With a sigh, Will adjusted his position in the chair. He debated telling Leyna another memory from their past before their lives had separated when the door clicked open. Turning, he spotted Neena Chatterjee. He growled out, “What do you want?”
Neena entered, shut the door, and tilted her head. “You should be happy to see me, William. After all, I am a very busy woman.”
Remember she’s in charge here. Remember. Taking a deep inhalation, Will forced his voice to be less hostile. “Then would you care to tell me why you’re honoring us with your presence?”
Neena skipped to the other side of Leyna’s bed. “A bit better, although if you add ‘your highness’ to the end, it might win you some favors.”
Will gritted his teeth. Neena had visited once before, when they’d first landed. She’d merely said, “She’s still the living dead,” before disappearing.
Millie had stressed the importance of remaining on Neena’s good side. However, his patience was quickly evaporating.
Shrugging, Neena placed a hand on Leyna’s forehead. “I think you’d enjoy Leyna-slash-Petra’s dreams. She really should pick a name and stick with it.”
Ignoring the latter statement, Will dared to ask, “How would you know about her dreams?”
“Because I’m a Dream-Speaker, of course.” Neena lowered her voice. “Recently, I’ve needed a few cold showers after talking with Little Miss Slash here.”
Will’s eye twitched. “Her dreams mean nothing if she’s trapped in them forever.”
Neena grinned. “Considering they’re sexy and feature yourself, you might approve.”
The woman’s words pumped up his ego a notch, but Will pushed it aside. “Maybe you should stop violating people’s privacy.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Call me ‘your highness’, and I just might be able to persuade her to wake up.”
Will wanted to tell the woman to bugger off, but Millie’s warning replayed inside his head: Neena can become your greatest ally, but she can also become your worst enemy. Tread lightly.
He forced his voice to be even. “How?” Neena merely raised her brows and Will resisted sighing. “How, your highness?”
“Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Neena stood a little taller. “As for how, watch and be amazed, lad. You’re going to owe me a few favors for this.”
Neena closed her eyes and stood silently. Will squeezed Leyna’s hand in his. Each second that passed only irritated him. If Neena was giving him false hope, then he didn’t bloody well care who she was or what she could do, he would find a way to tie her up and get some answers. Who knew what other powers the woman was hiding from him; there might be one to help his Leyna.
~~~
Petra stood inside her old apartment, the one she had shared with Will until two years ago. The secondhand couch took up most of the living room, with a small TV and stereo near the front. Five paces away was the small kitchen. Beyond was the tiny bedroom that was barely big enough for their bed.
Two graduate students couldn’t afford anything better in the greater London area. Yet as she surveyed the small space, each slightly used item brought back the memories of comfort and happiness with Will.
God, she’d loved him so much. No one had been able to make her laugh with a corny joke as much as him. Not to mention he’d always tried to tickle her when she least expected it. Back then, Petra had been the more serious of the two.
She should mourn the loss of the easygoing version of Will. And yet, Petra loved the more discerning, determined man he’d become. Both of them had changed, and in an odd way, they might fit better than before.
If only she could find him.
Petra had tried countless times to leave the apartment. However, every time she exited the door, it only put her back into the small set of rooms again. Maybe she had died after all and existing in the apartment was her personal version of hell.
No. She didn’t want to be dead. Not just because her brother’s life would be in jeopardy without her help, but also because she needed to tell Will how she felt. Kissing him back in the helicopter wasn’t enough; Petra wanted to state her feelings without leaving any doubt.
A small part of her worried Will hadn’t made it out of Hong Kong alive. But given what Petra knew of Millie Ward, her friend had probably ensured everyone’s escape. Petra only hoped the elemental earth user had survived or Petra’s sacrifice would’ve been in vain.
Just as she plopped down on the couch, there was a knock on the door. That’s new.
Making her way to the door, she looked out of the peephole. Neena Chatterjee’s smiling face winked at her. “Let me in, lovely. I’m here to save the day.”
Opening the door, Petra frowned. “Neena?”
The woman snapped her fingers and a multicolored cape settled around her shoulders. “Much better. Now I’m ready to save the day.”
Dismissing the woman’s eccentricities, Petra asked, “Are you dead,
too?”
“Dead? No, my dear. I’d need a much better outfit than this. Death would require a fancy sari. Or maybe a ballgown. Oooh, or some combination of the two.”
Petra took a deep inhalation and released it before daring another question. “If you’re saving the day, then does that mean you’re here to save me?”
Neena snapped her fingers. “Right-o, my dear. Although, before I do the deed, we need to chat about a few things. As you’re a mercenary, I’m sure you understand that while I could do this for free, it’s not necessarily in my best interests.”
Petra’s respect for Neena went up a notch. “What are the terms?”
“Straight to the point. I like that.” Neena waltzed into the room and perched her behind on the back of the couch. “While joining DEFEND and having your cleverness and skills available is a must, I first need to ask why you want to be saved in the first place. Let’s hope you don’t give the wrong answer.”
Given what little she knew of Neena, Petra had no idea what might be considered a wrong answer. Petra would simply go with the truth. “I need to tell Will something.”
“Aw, the handsome researcher. He has a surprise or two in store for us in the future.” Neena leaned forward. “The only question is are you a part of his future or not?”
Petra didn’t miss a beat. “I hope so.”
Neena clapped her hands together. “Good answer. Both of you on my side will make things that much more brilliant.”
Petra opened her mouth to ask Neena to elaborate, but the woman snapped her fingers and Petra was pulled toward the door. As she floated down the hallway toward a black nothingness, Petra wondered how many latent abilities Neena possessed. Just as that thought formed, a blazing light flashed and warmth spread over her body.
The next second she heard Will’s voice in the bright, vast space she floated in. “Well, what happened, Neena? You’re back but Leyna isn’t.”
Neena’s voice filled Petra’s ears. “Maybe she just needs true love’s kiss.”
Will growled. “Stop with the bloody games. Why is Leyna still unconscious?”
Petra wanted to shout that she was listening, but she could do nothing but float in the brightness. Neena spoke up again. “Oh, I think she’s listening. And if I’m correct, which I always am, she’ll wake up with a kiss.”
“If you’re out to make me a fool, Neena Chatterjee, you’ll make an enemy.”
“Believe me, William, you do not want me as an enemy.” Neena clicked her tongue. “Now, kiss the woman.”
There was a beat of silence before warm, soft lips descended on hers. In the next second, her heart jumped and she was yanked upward.
~~~
Will gently kissed Leyna’s silky lips. To be honest, he felt like a fool following Neena’s childish games. But if there was even the slightest chance it would help his Leyna, Will would dance around a bonfire naked if it meant his woman would wake up.
Lightly tucking her hair behind an ear, Will debated ending the kiss when Leyna’s lips moved below his. It wasn’t more than a twitch at first. But as he licked her lower lip, Leyna nipped his upper one a second later. Pulling back, he met Leyna’s green eyes. “Leyna.”
“Will,” she croaked.
He cupped her face with his hands and stroked his thumbs against her cheeks. “Did you really come back to me? I’m afraid this is just a dream or some kind of vision.”
She gave a weak smile. “If this is a dream or vision, then the pain in my leg feels damn real.”
He grimaced. “I’m sorry, Leyna. Millie and I tried the best we could. But the break needed surgery and we didn’t arrive as soon as we should have. The pain is partially my fault.”
Leyna’s brows furrowed. “I don’t care about my leg. I’m alive. What happened?”
Will glanced up, but Neena had disappeared. Not caring how the crazy woman had done it, Will took advantage of their privacy. “First, tell me who I am and what you’ve been doing for the last few years.”
“You’re Dr. William Evans and I was a mercenary.”
“Good,” he answered. “I’ll give you more tests later, but I don’t think you’re brain damaged.”
Petra growled. “I’m fine. Just bloody tell me what happened.”
Her threat only strengthened his relief at her condition. “We arrived in one piece.” He recounted him healing her as well as Kiarra blowing up the helicopter. He added, “But all that matters is that we’re safe and you’re awake. I was afraid that I’d lost you again, Leyna.”
“Will, please call me Petra.”
“But why, love? Leyna is such a pretty name.”
“Because that’s not who I am anymore. I have something to tell you, but only if you accept me as Petra, the badass mercenary-slash-scientist.”
He traced her jaw. “Of course I accept you. If calling you Petra is what it takes to win you over, I will do that and more.”
She raised her brows. “I sense a ‘but.’ Be honest with me, Will. What is it?”
He caressed her cheek. “The mercenary part may not be in your future.” Leyna—no, Petra—opened her mouth to reply, but he beat her to it. “It has nothing to do with me or my wishes, Petra. The doctor thinks you’re going to limp for the rest of your life.”
Petra placed a hand on his arm. “Then we need to find a way to ensure my brother’s safety. Without me to look out for him, he’ll get himself killed.”
“I’m already working on that. Millie owed me a favor and I called it in.”
She frowned. “But how? I haven’t told her anything.”
“Between the two of us, as well as a few other DEFEND members, we’ve figured out your brother is Dominick and the drug lord boss is Sean Reilly. Millie should be taking him down as we speak.”
Petra attempted to sit up, but Will pushed gently against her shoulders to keep her in place. “You’re not going anywhere. Deep down, you know that you’re more of a liability right now than an asset.”
Grunting, Petra relaxed against the bed. “Maybe. But I don’t like the idea of owing Millie anything. If she survives the attempt, that is.”
“Millie can take care of herself.”
Skepticism flashed in her eyes. “Maybe.”
Will growled. “Look, I’ve accepted your new name, so I need you to try and accept something as well. If you don’t learn to trust me and others, we can’t help you. More than that, we can’t help DEFEND and avoid Neena Chatterjee’s wrath.”
Petra searched his eyes for a few seconds. “I trust you, Will.”
He leaned down until his face was mere inches from hers. “Good. Now, what was it that you wanted to tell me?”
Holding his breath, Will waited for Petra’s answer.
~~~
Petra stared into Will’s brown eyes and debated telling him the truth. Sure, she’d wanted nothing more than to tell him of her feelings while she’d been stuck in that dream world. But with his scent and heat near, her heart rate increased and her palms started to sweat.
She was afraid of rejection.
Get a grip, Brandt. Take what you want or walk away. Stop dawdling. With a deep inhalation, the words rushed out on her exhale. “What I wanted to say is that I’ve never stopped loving you, Will. I know there’s a shit-ton of things to discuss and it will take time to fully become reacquainted. But over the last few days, I’ve seen enough of the man I loved to know I still love him. Changed or not, I want to try again.”
Will smiled and Petra’s body relaxed. “Good, because I’d already made my mind up to pursue you, Petra. You wanting the same thing will make things easier.”
An almost foreign urge to tease him filled her body. “Oh, so if I hadn’t been on board, what would you have done?”
He traced the curve of her cheek. “Lots of touching.” He leaned down and nuzzled his whisker-covered cheek against hers. The stubble sent a little thrill through her body. She barely heard his whisper, “Not to mention using your fondness for my stubble to soften
you more.”
“What else?”
Moving his head until his eyes met hers again and his lips were less than an inch away, he answered, “Then I would kiss and tease you until you begged for more.”
Heat coursed through her body and Petra all but forgot about the pain in her leg. “I rather think I’ll be the one teasing you until you begged for more.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”
“I may end up limping for the rest of my life, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.” She grinned at the heat in his gaze. “And now I’ll have you thinking of what they may be until my leg is healed enough to use them.”
Will gently kissed her and murmured, “I have a few fantasies to share while we wait. If anything, you’ll be the impatient one.”
Petra laughed. “You’ve just issued a challenge, Will. Even in our former lives, that was dangerous. I’m out to win.”
“So am I.”
As they stared into one another’s gaze, Petra raised a hand and lightly caressed his jaw. “In all seriousness, I never thought I’d have this chance again with you, Will. Let’s promise right here and now to discuss anything that happens. I should’ve done so two years ago, but while I can’t turn back the clock, I can make a fresh start.”
“Not a fresh start, love. We’re just righting ourselves after a small bump in the road.”
Petra had no idea how she deserved the man above her. “I love you, William Evans.”
“Just as I love you, Petra, er, which last name are you using now?”
“Brandt.”
His eyes grew tender. “I love you, Petra Brandt.”
At Will using her full new name, Petra ran her hand into his hair. “Then kiss me, Will.”
Lowering his head, his lips moved slowly at first before Petra opened her mouth. With each stroke of his tongue, Will melted her heart a little more.
Flare of Promise (AMT #4) Page 11
