In the stillness of the moment it is hard not to think about the bigger picture, to remember that, in truth, we are fighting for only a few precious lives. Thousands have already perished across the globe – men, women, children. If we somehow stop the Venite invasion, if Dex and Amarox and Voka are able to reason with, or worse, defeat their father, the world has still suffered a devastating blow. Everything has changed. Rebuilding will take decades. If the siblings succeed, I remind myself, or if they even want to. There is no telling what choice Amarox and Voka will make when confronted with the reality of their father’s will. I am confident that Dex won’t let us down, but without his siblings we haven’t a hope in hell of succeeding. And of course, if Zonax gets close enough to use his power of quintessence, our saviors will fall and mankind will be lost.
I know that Amarox can read my thoughts; that he knows exactly what I am thinking, but he offers no words of comfort or commitment. He will not make empty promises. Only time will tell, I guess. A tear tracks its way down my face and onto my ear and I brush it away. What will become of us?
“I really hope the others made it,” I murmur in the settling dark. I am most worried about Jason and Darren who were left without any Venite protection. They were scheduled to meet the army, but I take no comfort in that fact. I have seen with my own eyes how defenseless our military is against the Venite soldiers.
Over and over the thoughts swirl in my mind, preventing me from the one thing that would erase all my troubles – sleep. I hear Amarox rise to his feet but I think nothing of it until he looms over me. He crouches at my side and I feel inexplicably afraid. He lowers his face slowly until his eyes are only an inch from my own and, for a fleeting moment I think he might kiss me. He knows it too and a small smile crosses his face before he whispers to me, his green eyes glowing slightly.
“You will stop worrying; you will not be sad,” Too late I become aware of his real intentions, but my fears have already fled, replaced by an eerie sense of calm and contentment. “Sleep, Rachel,” he murmurs hypnotically and obediently I close my eyes.
Chapter 32
“You used your control of quintessence on me!” I scold in the morning.
“Yeah, well I was never going to get any sleep with all that silent screaming,” he shrugs unapologetically.
“It’s wrong.”
“No,” he corrects derisively, “it's only wrong if used to make someone do something they don’t want to do. You wanted to sleep, you just couldn’t. Besides,” he adds scornfully, “once again you are confusing me with my brother. I don’t have such high moral integrity. I happen to like making people do things they don’t want to do.” I glare at him, trying to keep my thoughts to myself but he shakes his head. “You can call me all the names you like Rachel, it really doesn’t bother me.”
Around noon we finally reach the Mount Mitchell Mountain Park. This is where we planned to rendezvous with the others. We have spent the last two days keeping the Venites separate from their human weaknesses, in case of attack. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we stay apart, although Dex and Amarox need to be close enough to one another that they can combine their strength and their storms. Voka’s own astounding control over the elements will also be vital, in the event that their mother stands against them with their father. Dallan and Benon, who form Amarox’s Venite guard, will obey orders, even if unwillingly. I am still hoping that the siblings can reason with Zonax, but in the event that they can’t, we need them to be at their full potential. The plan is to meet in the Mountain Park and then they will leave us in a safe place while they seek out their parents.
I hadn’t appreciated just how much I was missing Dex until I saw the signal. Dex’s storm, lighter colored than Amarox’s own grey tempest, and with a familiar green hue, suddenly lights up in the west. I can’t help the grin that stretches across my face as three massive bolts of lightning strike the ground in exactly the same spot. This is the signal we had told Jason and Darren to look out for, so that they would know of our arrival and to come and find us. They shouldn’t have too much trouble eluding the military, with Darren’s genius and Jason’s natural craftiness. Years in journalism have taught him a thing or two about getting to places he shouldn’t be, without drawing attention to himself. It is funny how fond I have become of him, how things that previously annoyed me now make me proud.
Amarox summons his own storm for only a minute or two, letting Dex know our own location. Then we head west, setting off on a course to find him. It takes about half an hour of hiking before our path finally intersects with theirs. I run toward Dex when I see him, leaping into his arms and kissing him before I check on Noah, who is none the worse for the arduous journey. Dallan ignores me, striding over to greet Amarox instead. I wonder idly if they have a romantic connection, but Amarox’s face hardly lights up when he sees her.
“Sir,” Dallan calls and we all glance up, following her pointing finger. A fiery red ball of flames is visible, rising into the air a few miles off. It looks almost like a flare-gun. Voka’s signal. Amarox barks a few instructions and Dallan scuttles off into the trees.
“She’ll find Voka,” he offers by way of explanation. Dex and Amarox offer nothing more than a curt nod of their heads in greeting and once again I am reminded of how different they are from humans and yet Dex displays very human emotions with me. There is warmth in his gaze and obvious relief that I am okay. Well, almost okay.
“What is that?” his voice is hard as he sweeps my blonde hair off my cheek. I had all but forgotten about my black eye and bruised face. “What did you do to her?” he thunders, storming towards Amarox.
“No!” I quickly run between them. “It was an accident,” I face Dex. “We ran into some trouble with a couple of truckers. Amarox saved me.” I lie easily - the last thing we need is for our two strongest allies to be at loggerheads with one another.
“Rachel” Amarox grins behind me, “he kind of knows you’re lying.” Dex’s face morphs as I watch, from anger to shock and then, hurt. Oh shit. He has seen the kiss in my mind. “I think you’ve got a bit of explaining to do,” Amarox continues.
“It isn’t what you think,” I mutter, wishing I could get him alone and offer him a full explanation. Sadly, this will have to wait as there is no way I can leave Noah alone with Amarox. The tension in the air as we wait for the others is palpable. Dex sits with Noah, studiously avoiding me. Amarox is also noticeably quiet and I welcome the distraction as the others arrive. I throw my arms around Kate, who is slightly taken aback by my enthusiasm.
“Has Darren arrived yet?” she asks, scanning the group.
“Not yet, but I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
Noah is delighted to see Voka and she looks almost happy to see him too, settling down on the ground beside him and offering him something to eat. Dex stands abruptly, finally catching my eye before making his way through the trees. I follow him, feeling the eyes of the others watching me.
“It didn’t mean anything,” I repeat for what feels like the hundredth time when we come to a stop.
“I know that,” he murmurs, “I can read your mind, remember? I get the whole story – not just pieces of it.”
“So, why are we out here?” I ask. I thought he wanted an explanation about the kiss, that that was the reason we came all the way out here, alone.
“Why do you think?” he grins, with a smug, sexy smile.
“Oh,” I grin, more than happy to oblige as he presses his body up against mine. He kisses me gently, carefully avoiding my battered face.
“I missed you,” I sigh into his mouth and he grins before he claims my mouth again. It’s not long before his considerate restraint snaps and he kisses me harder, his tongue exploring every inch of my willing mouth. His hands travel down my back and over my legs and in one swift movement he picks me up, his hands cupping my buttocks. I wrap my legs around his waist and squeeze tightly. He groans and I press myself against him, fitting snugly against his hard b
ody.
The Dex that I met and loved seven years ago was cautious and careful, and treated me like a china doll which might break at any moment. The Dex I am with now is all man - strong and possessive - and for the first time, treating me as an equal, as an adult with physical needs just as powerful as his and a passion to match his own. The groan that starts deep in his chest is raw and real and it sets my senses on fire. I barely feel it when my back slams almost painfully into a nearby tree, the sudden increase in pressure between us masking everything else. I grab fistfuls of his hair, tugging ruthlessly, such is my desire.
“Dexon!” It is Voka’s voice that breaks us apart, both of us gasping for air. Dex’s green eyes are glazed and heavy-lidded, and he nuzzles my chest, trying to ignore her. “Dexon!” she yells again, and my dislike for her increases in volumes.
“Tell her to go away,” I murmur. Dex exhales slowly, his hot breath searing my neck. Infinitely slowly he lowers me to the ground, inch by preciously painful inch. Taking my hand he raises it to his lips and kisses my palm before entwining his fingers with mine and leading me unwillingly back.
I decide to forgive Voka the second I clap my eyes on the two men standing in the small glade of trees.
“Jason,” I shriek, launching myself at him and squeezing him tightly, “you made it!” I turn and embrace Darren awkwardly, given that Kate will not entirely let go of him. She is clinging to him like a barnacle as though he might disappear any second. He doesn’t look at all displeased.
“Please, Rhodes, did you ever doubt it?” Jason drawls cockily.
“How did you elude the army?” Dex is in strategy mode.
“It was easier than we thought,” Jason brags.
“Maybe too easy,” Darren interjects and we all turn to listen – Darren is the voice of reason. “We kept checking and we couldn’t see anyone following us,” he adds quickly, “but this is the army we’re talking about. It’s impossible to be certain.”
“Well, we’ll know soon enough. The main thing is that you guys made it.” Dex extends his hand and Darren shakes it.
“Bah,” Jason squeezes my shoulders nonchalantly, “stealth is my middle name. What happened to your face, Rhodes?” he adds, and I am pleased to see that Amarox looks slightly uncomfortable.
“Voka,” Dex turns to his sister, “could you please help Rachel?” he indicates my face and Voka looks annoyed.
“I’m not a nurse,” she pouts. I step away from Jason, suspecting that Dex’s sudden concern over my face may have more to do with the casual way Jason is holding me. Not wanting to cause any further tension, I discreetly shrug off his arm and take a seat next to Noah who is drawing in his notebook. I don’t expect Voka to help me and Dex seems to have let it go.
“Oh, whatever,” Voka rolls her eyes and then leans forward, placing her hand on my bruised cheek. Her eyes glow as she heals me, and then she turns back to Noah as though nothing has happened.
“Thanks,” I murmur, keeping my eyes on Noah’s drawing.
Now that we are all together we need to find somewhere safe for us humans to stay given that we will be losing our Venite guard. I watch with sadistic fascination as Jason tries to chat up Voka. To his credit, she takes his not so subtle advances for about three minutes before telling him in no uncertain terms to get lost. Unruffled, Jason saunters over. Darren grins at him.
“Strike out, Buddy?”
“Just give me time,” Jason replies and I shake my head. Some things never change. Jason’s next words are sobering, “Oh, Rhodes, I almost forgot. Some little firecracker arrived late last night. I overheard her telling Tom from the National Guard that you had sent for her.”
“What?” I squeak. I can’t believe he is only mentioning this now. Kimberley! It could only be Kimberley. She made it! “Where is she now?”
“In Burnsville. We didn’t actually speak with her but I overheard her conversation. She’s a friend of yours?”
“Yes,” I rack my brain, turning to Dex. “We need to get her.”
I can’t leave Kimberley out there, not with Zonax on his way. Even the armed forces crawling within the town need to be prepared for what is coming. It’s a huge risk but I have to go and get her – it’s my fault she is here in the first place. I told her to meet me in Yancey County.
“I’m coming with you,” Dex steps forward reading my intentions.
“No,” I shake my head. “You have no power around me – they’ll lock you up.” Dex clenches his jaw knowing that I’m right. He runs his eye over the other Venites in the glade and he quickly comes to a decision.
“Voka,” he calls and she stares obstinately back at him. “Please,” he adds and she sighs, getting to her feet and dusting off her black tunic.
Kate lends Voka her shirt which, when paired with Voka’s black tights, makes her seem ordinary enough. The military should believe that Voka is human. With any luck they will listen to me and she won’t need to use her abilities and enlighten them. Kate shrugs on Voka’s tunic rather awkwardly. It is obvious that she is not comfortable in the Venite garb but then I wouldn’t be either. It is synonymous with destruction.
We are about eleven miles from Burnsville and the chance of making it back before nightfall is slim, but we cannot waste half a day waiting until morning. The army have established their base near the entrance to the forest. There are not as many soldiers as I initially thought, probably only about thirty men including Tom and his team. There are no signs of any civilians which is unsurprising. They are probably under military instruction not to venture outdoors.
“Come on,” I urge Voka, and standing up straight I walk right into the encampment.
“Hey! You there,” the nearest officer shouts, “what are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be in the town hall!” His shouting alerts a few of the soldiers around him and I recognize Tom’s grey head as it jerks up.
“Act cool,” I murmur under my breath to Voka. Tom knows about Dex and he was plain-clothed when they met. He will immediately suspect that Voka might not be one of us. Sure enough his shrewd grey eyes fix on her and his brow narrows as he tries to decide what she is.
“Well, well, well,” he holds up a hand to halt the men who are already moving towards us, “will you look at what the cat dragged in!” I can sense his anger simmering just beneath the surface and I don’t blame him. When Dex and I escaped he must have had a hard time explaining it to the army. Another grey-haired man steps forward as Tom approaches, his army attire fully adorned with star rankings.
“General,” Tom turns to him, displaying a huge amount of respect, “this is Rachel – the woman I told you about.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sir,” I nod respectfully, then, indicating Voka, “this is Valerie. I found her in a diner not far from here and thought it best I bring her along.”
“Hello,” Voka sounds bored.
“Where is your ‘friend’?” Tom asks briskly, his eyes never leaving her exquisite face. She looks so much like Dex he has probably already guessed her origins. I take a deep breath.
“Not far,” I address the General, who hasn’t uttered a word. “Sir, I think you should know that a very large, very dangerous force is headed this way. They could be here any second.”
“What force?” Tom interrupts. “And where exactly is your friend now?”
“I’m not telling you that,” I insist.
“Young lady, I could have you detained for withholding informa...”
“What good would that do?” I round on Tom, “I am giving you all the information you need! Their soldiers are coming. Here. Now. We need to get these people up into the mountains as soon as possible.”
“Why?” The General finally speaks and his voice is dignified and somehow calming.
“My friend – the man you want to take into custody – he’s prepared to fight for us. He’s on our side, I’ve already told him that,” I point at Tom. “Unfortunately the confrontation will happen here, in Yancey County.”
/> “You were the one who suggested this place!” Tom snaps. “You said it would be safe.”
“I thought it would be!” I yell, tears welling in my eyes. “I sent my best friend here, too. Do you think I would have done that if I had known the danger?”
“How do we know you aren’t working with them?” Tom replies scathingly. I don’t answer and the General regards me steadily.
“When?” he asks gently, no blame in his blue eyes. “When will they be here?”
“I don’t know exactly, Sir.”
“I do,” Voka’s low melodious voice shocks all of us and both officers draw their guns and train them on her as her eyes glow suddenly, a vivid emerald green.
“Now,” she clarifies, turning to me and pointing at the sky, “it’s too late Rachel,” she adds, and for the first time I hear real, raw emotion in her voice. Voka is afraid. “They’re already here.”
Chapter 33
The incoming storm is like nothing I have ever seen. Dex’s storm is beautiful, light and green and breathtaking. Amarox’s is darker, a deep grey. This storm is black as midnight and moving faster than anything I’ve ever seen. Rolling in from the north, the thunderclouds are ugly and angry and terrifying. Even Tom and the General have lowered their gun arms and are gaping at the fury unfolding in the previously clear sky. I grab the General’s free hand, forcing him to look at me.
“Sir, there’s no time. My friends will be on their way here to fight that,” I glance back at the approaching storm, “in the meantime, we need to get everybody out of here!” He is still staring at Voka, whose eyes are burning so brightly it hurts to look at them. “She’s with us,” I squeeze his hand and finally he nods. There is no time to interrogate or question and he knows it. If we don’t do something we are all going to die here.
The General orders a few of his men to evacuate the town and I race after them. I know that Dex and Amarox will be heading this way, no doubt covering the distance in less than half the time it took us, but I still don’t know if it will be too late. There is no sign yet of Zonax or any of his Venite soldiers, but they have to be close. I curse the terrible timing. We were supposed to have all the civilians to safety up in the mountains by the time Zonax arrived. Dex, Amarox and Voka were supposed to be together. Our plan was a good one, the best chance we had, but now it has gone to ruin. Now, Zonax has the upper hand.
The Traveler Page 23
