He shakes his head, and his hair tumbles forward into his eyes. “I never said I didn’t want to be around you, only that it’s painful.”
“So, what’s changed?” I cross my arms.
“This plan is fraught with danger, and anything could go wrong. I can’t stay here while I know you are out there, vulnerable and exposed. It’s easier if I’m with you.” His eyes bore into mine in a way that’s far too intimate.
I squirm a little. Logan—clearly feeding off my discomfort—sends a flurry of exasperated emotion flowing through our connection. I expel a frustrated sigh. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, and I don’t need you to protect me, I have—”
“I don’t need you to say it,” he snaps, uncharacteristic anger flaring in his eyes. The Ax I’ve come to know has a tighter rein on his emotions. That he’s losing control is my fault.
Logan’s frustration at my thought process virtually slaps me in the face. I scrunch my hair in my fists. Getting used to this new version of us is going to take some time. I channel my thoughts toward Logan, beseeching him to let me handle this on my own.
Immediately respecting my privacy, he retreats, and the line snaps back. The sensation is strange—a mixture of relief and bereavement. Ax frowns as he watches me, and I realize he’s waiting for my response. “I was going to say we have a contingent of the best-trained Narik soldiers coming with us, that’s all.”
“While that is somewhat reassuring, it still wouldn’t stop me from worrying about you.” His hands flex at his side.
My stomach creases. “What if I stayed in regular communication with you?”
“It’s not the same. I’m coming, Sadie. I already informed King Coryn.” He folds his arms sternly across his chest, matching my stance.
Crap. Things are about to become more complicated, but I don’t see how I can stop him. He’s a grown man, and I can’t dictate what he does or doesn’t do. I wish he was staying here, but I can’t force it if he wants to come, and I know he’s only doing it because of me. “Fine,” I relent. “Once you realize what you’re getting yourself into. I’m with Logan, and I’m not going to hide that fact.” Not now that we’ve Eterno bonded.
He flicks strips of ash-blond hair out of his eyes. Apart from the odd strand of black, his hair has almost returned to his standard silvery-blond look. “Like I said before, I’m not a fool. I know the lay of the land.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” I rock back on my heels.
“I am.”
“Um, thanks. I’ll let the others know.” I walk off.
A hand yanks on the sleeve of my jacket, holding me back. Izzy presses her mouth to my ear. “I’m sorry, I tried to talk him out of it, but he’s as stubborn as you.”
My lips curve into a smirk. “It’s okay. I know you can’t force him to comply. It’s going to be difficult, and I’d rather have spared everyone the tense atmosphere, but he’s adamant.”
She links her arm in mine. “I’ll stick to his side and try to distract him.”
Circling my arm around her shoulders, I pull her into me. “You’re the best. Sorry I haven’t been around much, but hopefully we can find some time to catch up on the journey. Are you doing okay with everything?”
She coolly shrugs her shoulders. “I’m good. Don’t worry about me. Hot stuff is calling.” She gestures toward Logan. His gaze is fixated on me, concern emanating from him in waves. I give her a quick hug. “Later.”
I slip my hand in Logan’s as I sidle up alongside him. We swap emotions and thoughts, and I’m startled at the extent of the jealousy pouring into me from him. He’s been holding back on my account. Well, there’s no hiding now. Vaulting on tiptoe, I give him a quick peck. “There is no reason to feel jealous. At all.”
His eyes flit over my head as he tilts down, sweeping his mouth against mine. “I can’t help it. It would’ve been easier if he’d stayed here, but I’d want to do the same thing if I was in his shoes. So, I can hardly criticize him for that. Or for caring about what happens to you. I’m never going to say no to extra protection.” He caresses my cheek.
A soldier arrives then, doling out sturdy boots. Slipping off my sneakers, I bend at the waist to tie my laces. Red splotches spread over my chest, up my neck, and across my face. Internally, I writhe with churning hormones. Standing up, I smack Logan across the arm. “Oh. My. God. Please stop thinking what you’re thinking. We have to focus!”
He snickers and I feel like thumping him again. “Not my fault when you leaned over right in front of me. Get used to all the feels, babe!” He reaches around and swats my butt, and I stare at him open-mouthed. Torn between outrage and desire, I’m a quivering, jittery mass of nerves, and I’m struggling to concentrate. Neve looks at me strangely, as I try to blink away the distraction.
“Not that I’m not loving all your feels,” I tell him. “But we both need razor-sharp focus. Perhaps we should retract the line, at least, until we’re more experienced at managing the flow between us.”
I absorb Logan’s response. He doesn’t want to agree, but the logical, practical side of his brain has no choice but to concur.
Thirty minutes later, we are all in position on the shuttle that will transport us to the western edge of Saven. The king bids us farewell and wishes us luck. We will liaise with him and his senior officers once we reach the Server Control Center to coordinate maneuvers. The Narik Commander has explained that the mute-shield hides us from view and neuters all comm signals, so we can travel in the knowledge that we won’t be detected. It takes the edge off my trepidation.
The journey to Saven is quicker than anticipated. Once we land, in a clearing in the middle of a dense forest, we exit the craft in single file. Necessary supplies are divided among us, and my backpack is now crammed to bursting point, the weight of it feeling like a dead body as I stagger out of the craft, practically toppling over on myself. “Give me that,” Logan says, snagging the straps of my bag.
“You already have one. I’ll be fine once I get used to it. I’m going to play my part, same as everyone else.”
“If it gets too much, let me know,” he relents, zipping my jacket up under my chin. Ice-cold winds rattle around us, chilling my skin every place it touches. I shiver under my clothes. My hair lifts up, swirling around my face like it has a life of its own. Scrunching it up, I tie it into a messy knotted bun on top of my head. Logan hands me a pair of mittens before turning around to face the group in front of us.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please.” Everyone mutes at once. “Officer Rox is in charge of this mission, and Commander Nixen is second in command. We are crossing some treacherous terrain, and as you’ve already seen, weather conditions are less than ideal. Do not wander off on your own, and stay with the group at all times.” Logan scans the group and then gestures for Haydn to step forward.
“Our aim is to reach the Server Control Center in the heart of the Mendalla Mountains within forty-eight hours. We are presently on the peripheral of the Eon Pass. Winds are strong at this elevation, so it’s critical to stay the course, remain on the main pathway, and avoid the farthest edge of the mountain. It’ll take us about four hours to exit these woods. Stay alert for wildlife. We will stop for food and short rest breaks, but other than that, we need to maintain a steady pace. Hopefully, we will shelter tonight in my home village of Talla. King Coryn is trying to send a coded message to them, so they should know to expect us by early nightfall. Unless anyone has any questions, let’s move out.”
CHAPTER 13
Fern scoots alongside me as the group heads out. Logan walks ahead of me with Haydn and Rylan, while Izzy and Ax, and Alex and Neve are somewhere behind us. The soldiers split up and cover us on all sides.
We move out of the clearing into the density and darkness of the forest. The trees here are not as tall or multicolored like the trees back in the Saven old district. These trees are thinner on top and chunkier at the base with leaves that are a mix of navy and purple in muted, unders
tated tones. Wind whistles through the branches emitting an eerie foreboding tune. The ground crunches underfoot as we advance forward.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Fern says, coiling her arm through mine.
“I know what you mean.” I look anxiously around.
“Hey,” she adds, keeping her mouth close to my ear, “Did Logan mention anything to you about Jarod?”
My head whips around. “No. What about him?”
“I overheard Rylan talking with him after dinner last night. Logan asked him to try to discover where Dante was keeping the president and his cabinet and to send a message out via the underground comm network to see if he could locate Jarod.”
“He didn’t tell me that, but we’ve had a lot on our minds. That’s good. Has Rylan heard anything?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
A shrill hooting sound goes off on our left, and we both jump and shriek at the same time. Ax is beside me in a heartbeat. “It’s only a crackjaw. Don’t panic.”
“A what the what?” Fern asks.
“A harmless bird,” Ax confirms.
“Oh. Okay. Thanks.”
He makes no effort to fall back, and the three of us walk in silence for a few moments. Logan casts a quick glance over his shoulder.
“I’m okay.”
He narrows his lips but nods and turns back around.
Fern decides to catch up to Rylan, leaving Ax and me walking by ourselves. “Can I ask you something?” I examine his face.
“Sure.” He shoves his hands in his pockets as a burst of cold air blasts us.
I sway slightly on my feet, and his hand shoots out to steady me. “I’ve been thinking about your mom’s mind-jacking ability and wondering why she hasn’t tried anything yet. What do you think she’s up to?”
He sighs as he drops his hand. “Plotting some sort of revenge, if I know her at all. Although, she is most likely focused on rebuilding the Tempo and rebooting the back-up systems, assuming you destroyed everything in HQ.”
I purse my lips. “Do you think she’s going to use me to exact her vengeance?”
“I honestly don’t know, Sadie.” He scratches his head. “I’d say you are most definitely on her hit list now, and if she can find a way of getting you to do her dirty work first, then she’ll do it.” I flinch. “Sorry, I know that’s not a cheery thought, but I’m not going to lie to you.”
I glance at Logan. He’s engrossed in conversation with Rylan and Fern. I quickly look over my shoulder. Izzy is nattering away to Neve and Alex. I whisper as I speak to a perplexed looking Ax. “I think she’s trying to impact my mind.”
“What?” He stops abruptly, and the others narrowly avoid bumping into us. Neve pins me with a “what the hell?” look.
I tug on Ax’s elbow, dragging him forward. “Keep walking. I don’t want to draw any attention.”
He leans down. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been getting these headaches. They come on quite rapidly in short bursts of stabbing pain. It lasts for about a half hour, and then it fades as quickly as it came on. At first, I thought it was a reaction to the change in environment, but now I’m not so sure. Do you think it’s her? That she’s trying to get into my head?”
Back on Tor, Ax had explained that the implant hidden behind my ear is linked to a high-tech system Griselda uses to force people to do her bidding. She can inject herself into my head and try to take control again. I shudder at the thought, determined to do everything in my power to stop her from mind-jacking me again. I had assumed I wiped out everything, including all their systems, when the bomb detonated, but either the bomb didn’t cause total devastation or she has a back-up system somewhere.
His worried eyes meet mine. “If she wanted to get into your head, she could.”
“Wow. Well, that’s a real comforting thought.” Stress cords the muscles in my shoulders into knots. Logan looks back at me again, and I send him a reassuring smile.
We are both quiet for several minutes. “If that’s the case, then I don’t understand why she hasn’t succeeded already. Do you think it’s because the system was destroyed or damaged? Or, I was wondering, do you think the bands might deflect more than just my incendio gift?”
He arches his brows contemplatively. “That’s an interesting supposition, but I don’t know if you’re right. She hasn’t had cause to use those bands on anyone ever before.”
“I hate the way your mother treats me like her own special brand of guinea pig.”
He looks perplexed again. “A what?”
“Never mind.” I rub my temples in soothing circular motions.
Footsteps approach from the front. “Are you feeling okay?” Logan asks, lifting his hands to where my fingertips are still massaging my skull. “Another headache?”
I grace him with my best smile. “I’m fine. Stop fussing.”
“Can’t help it. Comes with the job description.” His lips fight a smile.
“There’s a job description?” I tease. “Can anyone add to the list of duties?” I pin him with a suggestive look.
Ax drops back without a word, falling urgently into step beside Izzy. I dampen my guilty feeling as I let Logan take my hand. “What were you two talking about?”
“I was wondering if my headaches were somehow connected to Griselda. If she was trying to take control of my mind.”
“What?” He slams to a halt, and the others protest vocally as they collide with us. Logan blatantly ignores them, so they maneuver around us and walk ahead. “Why am I only hearing this now?”
“Relax. It’s only an idea, and I could be totally wrong. I started wondering about it last night after the headache came and went so quickly again.”
“I don’t like it. It makes me nervous.” He tows me forward.
“Me too.” We walk on in silence, both lost in thought. “Logan? I need you to promise me something.” He gives me his undivided attention. “If you suspect that I’m not in control of myself, you must promise to restrain me. Either that or knock me out cold. You can’t hesitate, not for one second. You need to render me unconscious, and then lock me up some way.”
Logan’s mouth is curled in a displeased line. “I’m not promising that!”
“Why ever not?” I yank on his arm and glare at him. “I nearly killed you last time she mind-jacked me! This is for your protection and anyone else who happens to be in the vicinity.”
“It’s different now. We are one and the same. You’d never hurt me.”
His unwavering sense of loyalty warms all the frozen parts of me, which are a lot, because an Arctic-type wind is presently battering us from all sides. “I wish I had the same faith in me. But the point is, it wouldn’t be me. I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you again. Please. Promise me this.”
“I’m not going to lie, Sadie. I can’t promise you that. There’s no way I could willingly hurt you. Sorry, but I can’t do it.”
I’m tempted to reconnect our line so he can feel the frustration thundering through me, but I don’t want to use it as some form of underhanded blackmail. “Logan.” I touch his arm. “Please. I know you don’t want to do it, but it’s the best way of protecting me too.”
He thinks about that. “The Elder said you have the power to defeat her. Maybe this is what he meant. You have greater control over your mind now, and we are connected. He said we are always stronger as one. If you feel her trying to get into your head, tap into our connection, and we’ll push her out together.”
I yank my hand out of his. “Are you freaking insane?” I stare at him as if he’s just sprouted an extra head. “I’m not doing that! What if she has a way of using the connection against us? Of getting into your head? I’m not prepared to risk that.”
“Well, I’m not prepared to risk hurting you.”
Our mutual stubborn streak appears unaffected by our bond. Huh. “This is pointless,” I huff.
We slow down as the others come to a standstill up ahead. “We�
��ll have to park this for now. But we are not done discussing this.” I hate when he uses that authoritative voice on me.
Too right. And you’re not the only one I plan on discussing this with. I ensure my line is fully retracted before I think those thoughts. If he won’t help me, I know someone who will.
We join the others as Haydn begins addressing the group. His face is deadly serious as he speaks. “We are at the edge of the forest which traverses the border of the Eon Pass. We’ll have to abseil across the divide to reach the other side. Allow the soldiers to demonstrate, and follow their guidance. No heroics or messing of any kind. Wind velocity will be considerable, so prepare yourselves.” He grips the straps of his backpack. “Follow me.”
Logan seizes my hand without apology, and we walk dutifully behind the others in complete silence. Prevailing gusts of winds pummel us from all angles, and the skin on my face wobbles painfully. Logan slips my backpack off and throws it across one shoulder. Then he slides me on the inside, tucking me snugly under his arm. I cling onto him without objection.
The howling, bustling wind continues to heckle us as we battle our way forward, stumbling and swaying with the strength of the breeze. Discussion is nonexistent as everyone focuses on staying upright.
Once we arrive at a small black steel hut perched on the threshold of the mountain, Haydn ushers us quickly into the building, closing the door once the last soldier is in. The wailing wind is silenced instantaneously. My foot taps fretfully off the concrete floor.
“Buckle up,” Haydn instructs, handing everyone straps with sturdy metal clips attached.
Logan snatches mine and begins fitting it before I can even open my mouth. I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Give me my bag.”
He continues fastening my straps in place as he replies, “I’ve got it. No sweat.”
Placing my hands on his chest, I force him to look at me. “No way. You are not abseiling between mountains with two heavy bags on your back.” He sends me one of his most stubborn looks. “Give me the damned bag.” I send him one of my special death glares. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Ax watching the interaction with interest. His lips pitch up.
Saven Defiance (The Saven Series Book 4) Page 17
