He looked up at her and she ran her fingers through his too-long, short hair, staring at him long and hard and serious. She sat on his lap, her knees on either side of him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Promise me you won’t go out there and get hurt,” she begged of him. “I can’t do what we’re about to do and worry about you, too.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” Wyatt smiled up at her, “nothing at all. I’m a highly trained, specialized killing machine. I am one of the best at what I do and I never get hurt.”
“Don’t say that,” she frowned as she traced a scar on his neck, “I know that’s not true.”
“It is true,” he insisted.
“Because I can’t watch over you all the time,” she continued, ignoring his promises, wanting him to hear what she had to say, “and I need to know you won’t do anything stupid or try and be some hero. Just promise me that.”
He laughed and then kissed her.
“I won’t try to be a hero, I swear. And you don’t have to watch over me, that’s Ryker’s job,” he joked.
She knew he was trying to make her relax by exuding an air of breezy confidence and nonchalance, but Dev needed him to be serious, even if just for a moment.
“Wyatt, please do not take what I am saying so lightly. I’ve lost almost everything that matters to me in the blink of an eye. I cannot bear to lose you as well.”
Wyatt gently removed Dev’s arms from around his neck and leaned away from her, wanting to make sure she could see just how serious he was about anything concerning her.
“Dev, there is nothing about you I take lightly. I’m sorry if my relative ease comes across as foolhardy but you’ve got to trust that I know what I’m doing. What we’re about to undertake, this is the stuff I handle with my eyes closed. Your mother and father, they weren’t warriors; I am. I am a different breed altogether. You cannot compare me to them so believe me when I say this: you are not going to lose me. And definitely not at the hands of some rogue Sanctum.
“Face it, you’re stuck with me,” Wyatt searched her face, hopeful she was listening to him, believing him.
“Promise?” she asked, needing to hear him say it one more time.
“Swear.”
Dev stood up and grabbed one of Wyatt’s swords off the bed, testing its heft, waving it around like a trained professional, bringing the blade to rest against his cheek.
“I’m going to hold you to that promise, Mr. Clayworth.”
“I would expect nothing less,” he replied with a smile as he pushed the blade away, grabbed his own sword off the wall and held out his hand to her, “shall we?”
Dev tossed his sword back on the bed and grabbing his hand, they headed down the hall to join the others.
The "war room", as the amphitheatre had been crowned, was filled beyond capacity with Sanctum and Magicals alike, both sides willing to set aside petty differences to combat a common evil. This gathering had been no easy feat and was the product of much cajoling and a few well-placed threats, but once the parties realized what was at stake, how their very existence was in peril, all came together with ease.
Sam caught sight of Wyatt and Dev as they stood in the doorway surveying the room. She easily discerned Dev's nerves, the tight line of her lips, her taut arm muscles as she rested her hand on her blades, her wary expression, all were dead giveaways. Contrastingly, Wyatt was the picture of calm, with his quick smile and easy laugh, the way he pulled Dev close and kissed her forehead, this was easy for him. Sam knew she shouldn't be surprised seeing him so confident and sure of himself, but she could not help being amazed every time she witnessed the warrior inside her child, for he was a ferocious, winner-take-all beast, quite unlike her thoughtful, quiet, serious boy.
As she approached the couple, Sam had to admit to herself, even with her endless years of training, she felt more akin to Dev right now than she did Wyatt. These moments always elevated her blood pressure.
“Hi Dev,” Sam called out as she neared.
“Sam,” Dev replied without a smile.
“Mom,” Wyatt politely acknowledged Sam, still grappling with his feelings towards his parents.
Sam smiled warmly, ignoring the strain in her son’s voice, and placed her hand affectionately on his arm.
“Carter Breslin would have my head if he knew I allowed you to call me ‘mom’ in front of other Sanctum,” she joked.
“Carter Breslin is going to have your head for quite a few other reasons as well,” Wyatt replied as he scanned the room.
Sam chuckled heartily.
"Ah yes," she agreed, "this little shindig will not win me any points for good behavior."
Josiah approached the trio, his laptop tucked under his arm while he pushed his glasses back up his nose. Despite his dislike of battle, he was armed and ready with a Raven blade on his hip and another, smaller knife strapped to his thigh. Dev could not help but smile, he was a study of contrasts.
"Dev," he greeted her with a solemn nod of his head.
"Josiah," she returned the formality, not quite ready to forgive him yet fully aware Josiah and Sam were unfairly bearing the brunt of her anger.
"Everyone is here," he stated, "perhaps you would like to address the crowd?"
Dev blanched at the suggestion. These were not her people. She barely knew the Clayworths, much less the other members of their Academy.
"Dad," Wyatt interceded on her behalf, "I don't think that's necessary. This is just as much our battle as it is Dev's. I can speak to the group."
A flicker of disappointment flashed across Josiah's face, but he relented.
"Of course," Josiah agreed, "by all means, be my guest."
Wyatt squeezed Dev’s hand and then headed for the front of the room. Ryker caught up to him midway and the two boys fell into step with one another.
“You ready?” Wyatt asked, already knowing the answer.
“To kill every Breslin in sight?” Ryker laughed, “need you ask?”
Wyatt stopped walking and shot his best friend a serious look.
“Not every Sanctum out there is a Breslin, you know?”
“Maybe not,” Ryker agreed, “but they’re aligned with them and that’s enough for me.”
“It’s still tough. That first time.”
Ryker shook his head in disagreement.
“That’s the difference between us, Wyatt. You hold onto some sentimental ideal of The Sanctum which makes all of this rather devastating for you. I don’t. Tearing down this monstrosity is going to be my pleasure. And killing these rogue idiots is going to be the highlight of my career.”
“You are insane,” Wyatt pulled Ryker into a tight embrace, laughing all the while, “and I love you.”
“Hey,” Ryker pointed towards the stage as he escaped Wyatt’s embrace, “check out your girl.”
Wyatt watched as Dev stepped onto the stage, somewhat unsure of herself, but determined nonetheless. She looked out over the crowd, amazed everyone came together so quickly, uncertain they would be enough but thankful for their support, their belief in her. Her eyes came to rest on Wyatt and she smiled sadly, her eyes full of tears. Wyatt made a move towards her but Ryker stopped him.
“Stay here and let her do this,” Ryker held onto him, “she can handle it. Just like we’re meant to be out there, killing rogues, she’s meant to be up there leading us into the fray.”
Wyatt knew Ryker was right, he just could not bear to watch Dev upset, no matter the reason.
“You know I’m right,” Ryker commented.
“Of course I do,” Wyatt agreed with a smile, “you’ve always known more about women than me.”
Ryker released his boom of a laugh and smacked Wyatt on the back. Sanctum and Magicals around them smiled, used to the familiar sight of the boys laughing and joking around with each other. Their ease and confidence affected even Dev who calmed a bit upon hearing their laughter. Wyatt caught her eye again and Dev smiled, letting him know she was okay.
As the room finally quieted, Dev began to speak.
“Josiah asked me to address you all tonight,” she began quietly, “and my immediate reaction was to say no, for I don’t know any of you. I barely know the Clayworths, so I hesitated.
“But I looked around the room at all of you, gathered here today, and realized that you don’t know me either and yet, here you are. You've had one day to process and accept Sam and Josiah's revelation about the Book of Prophecy, the role my parents played in perpetrating a falsehood many of you have lived by or lived under for centuries, Sam and Josiah's role in perpetuating that falsehood until my appearance and now, here we are. So I realized the least I can do is overcome whatever fears I have of public speaking and come up here to say thank you.
“Thank you so very much.
"I'm sure, standing here tonight, many of you are doubtful I am the being who is going to right the wrongs of The Sanctum and guide us all towards a brighter and more just future. And to be honest with you, it sounds like a bit of bunk to me as well," Dev laughed and those in the crowd joined her.
"I'm going to have to see that Book in person before I start believing all of that. But trust that since I can remember, I have been training for what we are about to face and I am ready. More ready than you can imagine. Those people planning to attack us tonight, who think they’ve caught us off-guard and are going to easily wipe us out of existence, just like they did my family, those people have another thing coming."
The crowd roared its approval, startling Dev and encouraging her to continue.
"I told Max Breslin, the first time I met him, that I knew exactly who he was," she continued quietly, "and that I was going to kill him. And even though my goal hasn't changed, I still have every intention of laying waste to that useless piece of garbage, my reasons for doing so have evolved.
"Initially, this was nothing more than a revenge mission for me. I was going to find Max and make him and his family pay dearly for what they did to mine. An eye for an eye, so to speak. And don't get me wrong, revenge is still part of what drives me, but now I have a few other reasons as well," she caught Wyatt's eye and smiled.
"Wanting to see The Sanctum, your Sanctum, functioning as the gods intended is not such a bad thing to fight for, I am proud to lead you towards that goal and honored to fight by your side. May the gods bless us on the battlefield."
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Wyatt dismissed the last group of Sanctum and Magicals, setting them up deep within the subway tunnels running under The Academy before turning to join Ryker.
“I know the two of you don’t think you’re running off without seeing me,” Darby called to them from the back row of the war room.
Darby stood up and started walking towards the boys, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
“Darby Winthrop, wearing pants?” Ryker called out with a laugh, “No Chanel? Someone is about to die.”
Dev watched the trio laugh and joke with one another, Darby wrapping her arms around both boys, Ryker and Wyatt towering over her. She smiled to herself as she sharpened her blade, envying the warm friendship shared between the three.
“Don’t worry, Wyatt’s not in love with her,” Jools commented.
Dev smiled beatifically at Jools.
"I'm not worried, Jools," Dev replied, "Wyatt's welcome to love whoever he pleases."
"He only loves you so it really makes no difference," Jools grumbled.
Dev put away the sword Coco gave her and although it wasn't Daya, it would more than suffice. She then tightened the straps on her back and tested how fast she could unsheathe her weapons. Satisfied she could function at blinding speed, Dev turned back to Jools.
She watched the girl angrily prep her blades and gear up, noting the power Jools exuded as she headed to battle. Similar to her brother, Jools wasn't the least bit nervous and Dev was reminded that the younger Clayworth was herself a renowned, Class A Warrior. Zipping her leather jacket and strapping a bow and arrow to her back, Jools started to move for the door, but Dev stopped her.
"You cannot just leave," Dev stepped in front of Jools, preventing her angry escape.
"Watch me," Jools replied, refusing to make eye contact with Dev, as she tried to step around her.
Dev easily predicted her move and stopped her again, this time gently taking Jools face in her hands and making Jools look at her.
"This is my ballgame now and I command you to stop acting like a child and talk to Ryker before you leave. I don't care what you say, but you must say something. And then you simply must move past your jealousy of Darby. Yes, he slept with her a few times, but that was a long time ago and honestly, Ryker has slept with a lot of girls, Magical and human alike. Get over it.
“Darby is a vampire and will be around forever, especially after that dose of my blood. She’s not going anywhere. And Ryker’s not going to make her. So if you’re going to love Ryker, or whatever it is you’re doing with him, you’re going to have to accept that he comes to you with a very colorful past and that he also loves Darby.
“Start thinking of her as more like Wyatt and less like the gorgeous, petite bundle of blond perfection that she is."
“That makes me feel so much better,” Jools stated dryly, “thanks.”
Jools stepped away from Dev's embrace and studied her for a second.
"When did you get all wise and earth-mothery anyway? Next thing I know, you're going to want me to kiss Darby."
Dev tossed her head back and laughed, drawing the attention of those left in the room, for most had never heard the sound and turned towards it in surprise.
“That, my dear, would never happen,” Dev laughed as she pushed Jools down the steps towards Ryker, Wyatt and Darby, “no matter how much Darby might wish for it.”
She watched Jools join the threesome and Ryker playfully pull her into his arms, planting kisses all over her face until Jools begged him to stop. Wyatt feigned disgust while Darby watched them with a genuine smile on her face.
“You okay?”
Dev turned to find Coco standing next to her.
“God, you’re tall,” Dev blurted out, “and gorgeous. But so freaking tall.”
Coco laughed.
“I’m sorry,” Dev apologized, “I’m just not used to being shorter than another girl.”
“I’m not a girl,” Coco winked.
Dev laughed.
“Nor am I, for that matter.”
“And now you’re going to lead The Sanctum, that bastion of equality and justice for all Magicals,” Coco remarked sarcastically.
“I’m hardly going to lead The Sanctum,” Dev replied with a nervous laugh.
“Keep telling yourself that, girlfriend,” Coco laughed and headed for the door.
Dev watched her depart without a word.
It suddenly hit her that all of this, the preparation, the strategizing, the rallying-the-troops, it was all leading her towards that ultimate goal. That ideal her parents and Sam and Josiah set into motion all those years ago. That whether she wanted to or not, her fate was leading her towards whatever was written in that book. And that was incredibly sobering.
“You ready?” Wyatt came up behind her.
Dev closed her eyes, breathed deeply and felt a certain calm envelope her, a clarity of her mind and spirit, an understanding of purpose.
She was ready.
She turned and held her hand out to him.
Wyatt noticed the change in her immediately. Dev was always determined, stubborn even, but now she appeared to possess an inner strength and calm that wasn’t present earlier. It seemed she was finally at peace with her place in the world, in his world. Wyatt took her hand and together they headed for the door.
“You and Ryker will be under the river?” she asked.
Wyatt shook his head.
"No, Ryker will be with Jools and I’ll be with you."
Dev stopped mid-stride, opened her mouth to say something, then changed her mind and remained silent.
&n
bsp; "She heard?" Ryker asked as he approached the couple and noted the tight set of Dev’s mouth.
"She did," Wyatt replied, "and she's not pleased."
Dev dropped Wyatt's hand and continued for the door, then stopped and turned back.
"That’s not fair, Wyatt. You know why I’m not pleased. I just don't understand why you decided that, nor do I appreciate being left out of the whole decision-making process."
"The why is because despite what you like to think, I know you very well and I know you're headed straight for Max," Wyatt replied calmly, "and we didn't discuss it with you because we knew you'd disagree."
Dev turned to leave then whirled back around so fast Wyatt swore he felt a breeze. She was going to give him a piece of her mind, ream him for treating her differently from every other warrior he fought alongside, read him the riot act for his ex parte actions.
Wyatt was ready for her wrath, he expected it even.
But looking at him, standing there expectantly, knowing her reaction and maintaining his ground nonetheless, Dev could not get angry with him; had the tables been turned, she would have done the same. She would treat him differently one hundred percent of the time, no matter what he said or did or desired. Because when it came down it to, Wyatt was different from every other person in her life and she would go above and beyond to protect him.
So she didn’t yell or chastise or even argue the point further. Instead she calmed herself with a little deep breathing and smiled graciously. Wyatt momentarily got lost in her expression, but quickly righted himself, knowing now was neither the time nor the place. He then turned to address the group one last time, suddenly very serious.
“Everyone’s weaponed-up? Holsters and harnesses tight? Blades sharp?”
Ryker, Jools and Dev checked their equipment one more time.
“We’re good,” Ryker responded, then turned to Jools, “let’s do this.”
Jools and Ryker headed for the door.
“We’ll meet you in the park, quadrant 39,” Jools relayed as she exited the room and headed to the tunnels below the Academy, followed closely by Ryker.
Before disappearing, Ryker turned back with a grin.
Book One: The Girl (The Sanctum) Page 31
