He turns the heat off the congealed eggs, slamming the pan down on the counter. “This is not easy, and I will always remain loyal to him and the crown, but I deserve a life! You do too. And if he truly loved you, then he would set you free.”
“You’re a total asshole,” Logan says, coldly stalking into the kitchen. Haydn turns to face him as I grimace. It serves me right for starting this conversation when Logan was in the room.
“If you didn’t like what you heard, perhaps you shouldn’t have been eavesdropping.” Haydn slants a defiant look at Logan, flexing his knuckles until they bleach white. He clenches his jaw, tilting his head to the side, a slight sneer on his mouth, blatantly baiting him. I’ve never seen this side of him before, and I don’t fully understand where it’s coming from. It’s as if he’s angry with the whole damn world and venting it all in one focused direction.
Logan’s body twitches as they face off.
I can’t believe how immaturely both of them are acting. Yes, this situation is far from ideal, but there has to be a way of dealing with it more responsibly. I’d love to knock their heads together to drill some sense into them. And I hate that they’ve fallen out over me. Somehow, this feels like it’s all my fault. They have been friends for far too long for something like this to come between them. “Please let it go. Don’t make this worse.” I scoot to Logan’s side, taking his hand and rubbing soothing circles on his skin.
He slings his arm low on my waist, hauling me in close. Haydn holds his aggressive posture, primed to pounce. “As much as I’d love to wipe that smirk off your face, we’ve much bigger problems to worry about,” Logan says through gritted teeth.
“Has something else happened?” I ask, picking up on the tidal wave of anxiety he’s emitting.
He focuses his attention on me. “I just spoke with the president. Alien ships have entered Earth’s atmosphere.”
CHAPTER 22
I fidget in my chair, more than a little freaked out. The man with the silver moustache sitting across the table from me stares gravely ahead, his torso stiff, lips pinched. As head of military operations, he carries a heavy burden.
Haydn is seated on my right beside another one of the president’s advisors. Logan stands at the top of the long rectangular table with the president in front of a digital map displaying several incoming spacecraft. A plump woman, in an ill-fitting brown jacket and pants suit, magnifies the image on the screen with a flick of her finger. Logan inspects the visuals more closely. She flips her wrist and a new screen surfaces with a multitude of smaller squared segments. “These are aerial satellite shots taken at oh seven hundred,” she explains.
“Can you identify them?” the president asks.
Logan zooms in on a few images, clicking rapidly in and out of several pictures. “Those are Saven and Amaretti aircraft,” he says unhappily.
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“What is their likely plan of action?” a striking-looking man asks from the other end of the table.
“This morning I had contact from one of my father’s most trusted advisors. Advisor Mellor has confirmed that my brother has allied with the Amaretti. For Earth, that means only one thing. Imminent invasion.”
The world really is on the brink of attack. It’s unbelievably surreal, even though I know it’s true.
Several fearful looks are exchanged around the table. “To what end?” the man across from me asks.
Logan clears his throat as he clasps his hands resolutely behind his back. “The advisor says that Dante intends to resume the work my father started here on Earth. Although, he’s out to make a point too, to send a clear message to our people and other alien nations. As for the Amaretti? They want your planet.” A few shocked gasps ripple around the room. “So they won’t destroy it. Ultimately, submission and control is the end game.”
“What type of attack can we expect? What’s in their arsenal?”
“The Amaretti are relatively weak in that regard, having used vast reserves to defend themselves in the last few decades. But my father was more savvy. We have advanced weaponry of mass destruction. If Dante wants to cause widespread devastation, he has the means to achieve it. However, I don’t think he’d risk it. Not yet, in any event.”
“Dante is completely unpredictable,” Haydn adds, speaking up without invitation. “He’s volatile and overly aggressive. You shouldn’t underestimate him or what he might do.”
I feel the fury swirling inside Logan, as if it’s building within me. “Dante is also extremely smart, and he’s been plotting ways to wrest control for years. He wants to conquer the universe, and he needs disciplined soldiers. The conscience transfer program is too important to him to risk. He will openly attack but his goal isn’t annihilation.”
“You can’t say that with one hundred percent certainty,” Haydn argues.
“No, but I think I know my brother better than you.” He holds himself in orchestrated restraint.
Haydn is preparing to bite back. I kick him swiftly in the leg in what I hope is an obvious plea to let it go. He looks sideways at me, thankfully sealing his mouth shut.
The president’s eyes bore down on the head of military operations. “How well equipped are we to handle this?”
“The elite squad have been training for such an eventuality, but we weren’t expecting it so soon. I’ll speak to Commander Vixen regarding all potential offensive and defensive measures. Certainly, we should act promptly to get our fleet into the skies and program the robo-police units to protect on the ground. We’ll need to speak with Dr. Fink in relation to his initial trials and see if any have moved beyond the testing phase. Perhaps the …”
The president shoots a blatant warning in his direction, and the man clams up. “What support can you offer, Prince?” he asks, whipping his head around.
“The Saven already on Earth have pledged their loyalty to me and their support in challenging this threat. All males and females have to undergo compulsory military training on Saven, so you have an additional group of soldiers should you need to add to your ranks. Most of my people are currently hiding out with their preferred earthens, and they can provide additional protection in local sectors. However, I think we should prioritize identifying those with technical skillsets to devise a targeted takedown.”
“What exactly are you proposing?” the head of military operations inquires.
“If we can find some Saven who have worked on our spacecraft, they may be able to teleport onto the ships and disable the weaponry systems. But it won’t be an easy sell. They will have only a minute or two before our technology tracks their movements and they’re discovered. My brother won’t be lenient with anyone he considers a traitor.”
Haydn pipes up again. “I can’t imagine many of our brethren voluntarily signing up for that. Or are you planning on making them?”
“I won’t force anyone,” Logan says coldly. “But I don’t think I’ll have to anyway. Their newfound morality might surprise you.”
“I’m surprised you’re so willing to propose our people for what’s essentially a suicide mission.” Haydn is blatantly goading him now, and I attempt to covertly stare him down.
“If we don’t thwart my brother’s plans, then a lot more people will die. Not that I expect you to understand. These are the types of options facing a leader, the type of tough decisions that need to be made.” His enunciation of the word is a deliberate put-down.
Two all by my calculation.
The president coughs purposefully, picking up on the obvious strain. “Perhaps we can take that offline for the time being. Mr. Mitchell.”
The head of military operations jerks his chin up.
“Please proceed as discussed. There is no time to delay,” the president adds as his eyes skim over the frozen screen.
“Of course, sir.” The man rises fluidly.
“Can the rest of you please wait outside. The prince and I have some private matters to discuss.”
Haydn and I get up to leave, but Logan stalls us with one deliberate look. Chairs scrape and heels tap off the polished laminate floor as the men and women of the president’s cabinet exit the room.
When everyone else has left, the president sits down and motions for Logan to do the same. He takes the vacant seat beside Haydn. “Is there any way you can appeal to your brother to call this off? Anything we can bargain with?”
Logan shakes his head. “If I thought he’d listen to me, or was inclined to negotiate, I’d already be all over it, but Dante has resented me for years. He’d sooner kill me than listen to what I have to say.”
The president sighs in exasperation. “We are not properly equipped to deal with this, and he most definitely has the upper hand. I can’t risk the lives of millions of people. What if I surrendered to him? Offered to agree to his demands? Would that buy us some time?” He loosens his tie, clamping a hand around the back of his neck.
“He would kill you and embark as planned,” Hayden says.
“Officer Rox is correct,” Logan agrees. “That won’t achieve anything. Your cabinet needs you. We can’t do anything to jeopardize your safety.” Tension slithers off him like dripping rain. “There is only one way to stop him.” He straightens, his features set in a grim line. “I’ll have to kill him and take back control of Saven.”
We all trade wary expressions, and an icy chill pervades the air. No one speaks for several minutes as Logan’s admission permeates the room.
“You can’t take that burden on. It’ll haunt you forever,” I protest, thinking of all the things he already harbors guilt over. He can’t add this to the list. “Send someone else to do it.”
“It has to be me. I need to do this.” I know that look. His mind is set, and there’s nothing I, or anyone, could say to deter him. Pleading blue eyes infiltrate mine, begging me to understand. And it’s not that I don’t. Given their history, he blames himself for the way Dante is. The way he sees it, this is him taking care of a problem he created. But I can foresee what he can’t. If he does this, it’ll destroy him. His whole family will be gone, and he’ll hold himself accountable for all their deaths.
“And not only for Earth, but for my own people,” he continues. “Dante is a tyrant, and according to Advisor Mellor, there is already significant discontent among the Saven. Yes, Dante has his fair share of support, but so do I. And it appears I have the backing of the Royal Advisory Council and the Elders. They know you couldn’t have killed my father, and they share my suspicion that Dante did this. They don’t trust him, and they are willing to offer their assistance irrespective of the risk. I can get to him with their help.”
“It could be a trap,” Haydn says, frowning.
“I know,” Logan agrees. “But I don’t feel like there’s much choice.”
“What about Dali?” I suggest. “Can she escalate her plans to enact the Renunciation Order? If she ascends the throne, she can revoke the alliance and retire the Amaretti ships. Surely that’d temporarily stop Dante, force him to regroup and rethink his strategy?”
“I haven’t been able to reach Dali the last twenty-four hours,” he admits with a wince. Hideous panic whittles through me. “I’ve made contact with some of our mutual friends, and I have people searching for her and Win, but for now we are all there is.”
I rest my head in my hands. First Ella, now Dali. Despair hovers around my persona, ready to jump in and devour me.
“What’s your plan?” the president asks.
“I’ll use the tunnels in the old district to sneak into the castle. The advisor has given me a copy of Dante’s schedule, and I know he’ll be in Saven for the next few days. Once I’m there, I’ll pick a time when he’s alone to accost him.” The president is nodding the whole time, and I want to get up and slap him. Logan too. Was he even going to tell me? Or was he planning to sneak off like a thief in the night? It’s far too dangerous, and I don’t like it one little bit. My senses prickle in warning. “There’s only one problem,” he adds. “I won’t be able to teleport, it’s too risky, so I need a spaceship. Don’t suppose you have one lying about?”
The president looks sheepish. The three of us stare at him. “Your father had a ship stowed in one of our military hangars. It had, uh, kind of gone missing.” He cringes. “At least that’s what we told him the last time he looked for it. We had actually confiscated it to study the technology.” Haydn and Logan share a look, temporary hostility forgotten. “I’ll retrieve it for you immediately. I trust that’ll do the job?”
We are alone in the apartment, and I’m venting as if I’ve never vented before. Weeks of pent-up frustration gush out of me. “You’re not doing this. I forbid it,” I snap at Logan. He smirks in amusement and I shove him. Seizing my wrists, he hauls me to him. “I love it when you get all feisty.”
“Knock it off!” I squirm, trying to wriggle out of his firm hold. He rubs his thumb against my inner wrist initiating a flurry of tremors up and down my arm. “Stop trying to distract me. This is serious. You’re no match for that evil bastard. He’ll kill you.”
“What little faith you have in me,” he deadpans, releasing me.
“Stop making light of this.” I place my hands gently on his chest. “If this is a trap, you won’t stand a chance. I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t, I promise.” He cups my face, staring into my eyes. “You are the very reason why I won’t fail. My very reason for existing. I won’t give up, not when I have you to come back to.”
I rest my head on his chest as his arms enclose me. “I’m scared.”
“Me, too.”
I squint up at him. “That’s not in any way reassuring.”
“There’d be something wrong if I wasn’t scared. Stars, this whole nightmare freaks the hell out of me, but it’s what drives me to press on. Too many people are relying on me, and I won’t let them down. I’m trying to channel that fear into something positive. So, you see, it’s all going to be fine.”
I’m not swallowing that load of ole crap, but I know a way to use it to my advantage. “Well, if that’s the case, then you won’t mind me tagging along.” He starts to speak but I interrupt him. “Because that’s the only way I’m tolerating this. And I’m not taking no for an answer. And don’t start bleating on about how dangerous it is for me, because I know how to defend myself, and I can help protect you. We’re a team, and we’re in this together. That’s what you told me before and—”
“Okay,” he interjects.
“—if it’s going to be fine,” I blather on, “then there’s no reason why … wait, what? What’d you say?”
He grins. “I said okay, you’re coming with me. In fact, I had zero intention of leaving you behind. I can’t do that anymore. It’s far safer for us to stick together. Besides, there is something I think only you’ll be able to help me with.”
I’m completely speechless. My eyes narrow to slits as I survey him. “If this is some kind of trick …”
“It isn’t,” he says, palms extended in front of him. “I swear. I want you with me. Obviously, not in the room when I confront Dante, but I want you to come with me. Neve and Rylan too.”
Haydn is conspicuous by his absence on the itinerary. “Haydn, as well. And don’t start into all that bullshit again. He is still your bodyguard, and he will always have your back. You need him.”
Logan lets out an exhausted groan. “Fine.”
“See, that wasn’t difficult, was it?” I nuzzle into him, inhaling his citrusy scent, relishing the feel of his solid body underneath me.
He rests his chin atop my hair. “We haven’t even Eterno connected, and you already have me wrapped around your little finger.” He sighs in mock annoyance.
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” I say and he chuckles.
The sound of a key turning in the lock has us both spinning around. “Ella?” I choke out, already running for the door.
Jarod and Vin step into the room and I visib
ly deflate.
“Sorry,” Jarod says, cringing. “She gave me a key.”
Logan holds me from behind, pasting his chin to my shoulder. I stick to him like glue, desperately needing his support. “Any update?”
“Nothing good,” Vin says ominously.
“G has lost it. He is frigging insane,” Jarod admits, plopping down on the couch.
“He is preparing to attack Government Buildings next,” Vin admits. “And he’s all but disowned me. There is little I can do to influence him at this point.”
“Holy crap. You better warn the president,” I say. Logan sighs tiredly. It’s as if we’re on a non-stop merry-go-round, one terrifying ride at a time.
“Tell him …” Vin stops himself, obviously contemplating something important. A myriad of emotions flits through his eyes. A glimpse of raw pain stretches across his face. “You should tell him that he has some VD8 weaponry at his disposal.” I raise an inquisitive brow. “Honestly, you don’t want to know.” He shakes his head. “It’s some serious shit, and let’s leave it at that. The president will understand.”
The TV powers on, and I’m almost afraid to look at it. A grave-faced president peers out of the screen. “My fellow citizens. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, please give me your undivided attention. I address you today out of absolute necessity, at one of the gravest times in our great nation’s history. Please listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. Additional security measures are in the process of being implemented, as I speak, to counter the growing threat of a new alien invasion. An elite division within our military has been preparing for this eventuality, and they are already guarding the skies above us. Based on intelligence reports we’ve received, we have every reason to believe that the Saven—under the leadership of King Dante—have allied with the Amaretti in a synchronized attack on our planet. We are in contact with the administrations in our neighboring countries and a coordinated plan has been agreed by all parties. Together, we will face this alien threat and defend what is rightfully ours. I understand how distressing this is, but I cannot say this more clearly: Remain in your homes. Do not venture out. A blanket Sector-wide twenty-four-hour curfew is in operation for your own safety. We cannot effectively protect you otherwise. The streets will be patrolled by our robo-police units in conjunction with support from the Saven in our cities who remain loyal to Prince Logan. Prince Logan is working closely with myself and the cabinet on a range of strategies to contain the threat. Food supplies will be delivered to all households, and any specialist, or medical, requests can be submitted via your home portal. Further updates will be provided in due course. You have my assurance that we are doing everything possible to protect our planet and the lives of every citizen. Your cooperation is critically important, so please stay in your homes. I cannot emphasize that enough. Thank you for listening. Good luck, and stay safe.”
Saven Disclosure (The Saven Series Book 2) Page 30
