by Morgan, SL
Levi walked briskly to the car as Reece unlocked the door for him. He turned the car around in one fluid motion, and sped up the hill.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine, thank you. Please reach into the back seat, and put on the jacket. We are almost to our next point, and I need you to be ready to leave immediately. There are more Ciatron making their way to us. They have communicated, and are no longer following Harrison. We must get away quickly.”
She reached for the leather jacket and pulled it on. As she was about to ask the reason for the jacket, they pulled up to a black motorcycle. Levi parked in front of the bike, and reached into the backseat for his jacket. Then he was out of the car, grabbing two helmets from the trunk, and pulling Reece out of her seat.
“Now,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle. Just keep your feet on the pegs and hold tight, so your weight shifts with mine.”
Levi put the helmet over her head and fastened it. He tossed her a pair of black leather gloves, and pulled her jacket zipper completely up, covering her exposed neck. “You’ll freeze without the leather covering your skin.”
When his own helmet and jacket were on, he sat astride the bike and started it with a roar. He pulled his gloves on and motioned for her to join him. Reece found the pegs for her feet, and positioned herself on the small, uncomfortable back seat. She leaned over, and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Levi shifted the bike up and off of its stand, and turned to head down the road. The bike responded loudly to the gears as he shifted.
As they accelerated, Levi leaned forward and then reached back and clutched around Reece’s leg to pull her closer into him. She molded her body tightly against his. As soon as she did this, her stomach reacted when the bike engine roared even louder. The trees became a blur. She could not have countered if she had wanted to; she was completely frozen stiff from fear, squeezing tightly against Levi.
Her eyes shut tight. Her stomach told her the bike was turning back and forth; with each turn, gravity grabbed her stomach from the left or the right. When she found the courage to open her eyes, they were coming off of a windy road, and approaching a traffic jam on a highway. At least he’ll have to slow down.
He didn’t. He maneuvered the bike through the stopped cars, speeded on by unfriendly gestures from automobile drivers. Their speed increased, as did Reece’s heart. It was not long before they were through the jam, and the cars on the highway were moving at regular speeds again. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes. Levi left the main road, and headed onto an older, two-lane highway. Reece held tight and wished for this all to be over. Turns came up; at each one, she felt as if they were lying sideways on the ground. Finally, Levi slowed, and pulled into an old run-down gas station with only one car at the pumps.
He pulled up to a pump, kicked the stand down, and gave her his arm to help her off. For once, she really needed the arm; she would have fallen without it. Her legs had become completely numb, and she gripped him with both of her hands, trying to steady herself. In one swift motion, he was off the bike and still there, holding onto her. He reached down and unfastened her helmet. “My love, it’s over for now. We lost them back in that traffic. I am taking a more secluded route from here to meet Harrison.”
Ah! He’s acting normal again. She thought. “I don’t think I can walk, and I am completely serious when I say that.” She took a step over to the gas pump, and hung on for dear life as he took the nozzle down.
“You’re doing extremely well. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before, by chance?” He asked, teasing her.
She arched her eyebrow at him. “No, actually, I haven’t. And for the first time in my entire life, I believe I was just scared stiff.”
He laughed and bent down to kiss her. “My love, you enchant me.” He then pulled back, looking amused. “We are almost at the location where we will meet Harrison. He is already at the airport, and is preparing the plane for take-off.”
She looked up at him confused. “You guys are talking through your minds or whatever?”
He smiled as the pump clicked off, and he hung up the nozzle. “No, love, my helmet has a phone. We can’t read each other’s minds if we are a great distance apart. You need to find your legs again.” He winked at her, swung his leg over the bike, and rode it to the edge of the gas station parking lot.
Reece walked there with some difficulty. She glared at the offending motorcycle, and wondered if she could get back on it. Levi’s face was alight with amusement.
He pulled her into a tight embrace. “We only have about thirty more minutes left to ride. I will need you to get back on the bike, whether you feel you that you can or not.” He stepped back and brought her helmet over her head and smiled. “Hold tightly; the faster we ride, the faster you’ll be on that plane.”
With that, they returned to the bike. Reece settled in close to Levi and squeezed tightly around him. He brought the deep-sounding engine to life, and did not waste any time in bringing the bike up to top speed.
The sun was starting to set when they pulled into a private airport. Levi rode through the entrance, and stopped alongside what seemed to be their private aircraft. He set the stand down and lent his arm to Reece to help her get off the bike. Her legs were tired, but not as weak as before.
The stairs leading up into the plane had extended down to where she stood. Levi got off the bike, and took off his helmet as well. His eyes seemed to be glowing again. Reece was beginning to understand now, that his eyes did this whenever he was mentally communicating or reading someone’s thoughts.
He walked her to the steps. “Head up the staircase. I need to park the bike.”
At the top of the steps, Harrison waited. He smiled widely. “You two made perfect time!”
Reece reached out for Harrison’s extended hand. “I’m beat. You guys own a private jet?”
“You’d be surprised at how we get around while we protect this world. Now, have a seat so we can get out of here.”
Levi stepped into the plane. “They’re only a few minutes away. Find out from the tower if we’re clear to go.”
Harrison walked quickly toward the cockpit.
Levi looked over at Reece, “I’ll be back to sit with you once we are in the air.”
He walked toward the cockpit, where Harrison was already positioning the aircraft to head out to the runway. Reece buckled into a comfortable leather seat that faced a table. Out the window, she could see three or four cars speeding into the gates of the small airport. She tensed. The airplane picked up ground speed as it followed the blinking lights toward its takeoff point.
As the plane slowed and turned, she saw people standing outside the fence, watching them. From Levi’s recent report, it had to have been the Ciatron. Her heart rate began to pick up.
The next moment, the plane was speeding along the runway; and for the first time since they had come through the vortex, Reece felt truly safe. She let her head lean against the leather headrest as the plane’s ascent pressed her into her seat. A glance out the window showed the land dropping away. She closed her eyes and tried to think of nothing but the peace she had been given.
Her eyes popped open after Levi unfastened her seatbelt and scooped her up. He placed her on a long leather sofa. “You need to rest, my love. The hardest part is over now, and you are safe.”
“I guess I should thank you for not killing us on that motorcycle?”
She smiled as she sat up and curled her legs underneath her. She motioned for him to sit next to her, and he did. He brought his arm around her, and she snuggled into his tender embrace. Feeling the adrenaline still pumping through her veins, she knew she couldn’t rest. Her mind became flooded with everything they had gone through to get to this point. “Levi—I’m curious about something.”
She felt him laugh quietly as he ran his fingers through her hair. “After this afternoon, I am not surprised. What is it that you are curious about, sweetheart?”
; “So, when those two Ciatron men disappeared today, they were being sent back to their dimension right?” She looked up for his response.
He stared down to her and smiled. “That is correct.”
She sat up. “You guys can’t kill them?”
“No. We are simply sending them back to their dimension. It is extremely frustrating to us, but we don’t know how to completely destroy their kind.”
She settled back into his embrace. “I’m just glad you are safe; it was terrifying to watch you fight them.”
He squeezed her gently. “Do not ever allow yourself to worry over me like that, my love. This is what I have done for many years. I can handle myself.”
“Hey!” She said. “I just thought—how’s Jack supposed to get his car back?”
He laughed. “You won’t stop, will you? We must find a way to calm your nerves so you can get some rest before tomorrow.” He stood up. “You haven’t eaten anything since breakfast; let me get you something.” He turned and walked toward the front of the plane.
While he was gone, Reece found the bathroom. When she looked at her hair in the tiny mirror, she gasped. “Must be true love,” she muttered as she tried to do something about the tangled mess.
When she got back, there were two plates on the table filled with fruits, vegetables, and a variety of meats and cheeses. Levi was walking over to the table with a bottle of wine. He smiled wryly at her. “Unfortunately, Harrison did not prepare us a fine dinner before our arrival.” Then he laughed as he sat and poured her a glass of wine. “I believe this would probably agree with you better than Harrison trying his hand at cooking anyhow.”
She reached for her glass, laughing. “And you? I was expecting a romantic meal this evening, and all I get is cold cuts and finger foods?”
Levi shot her a pitiful look. “My love, I must resolve to demonstrate my romance in some other form; I fear my culinary skills are minimal.”
She laughed as she began to eat.
Levi swallowed a bite and took a sip of water. “About your friend, Jack? He’s probably retrieving his car now. He helped Harrison bring the motorcycle to that location. Once the little race party was over, he told Harrison he would have a friend bring him to it.”
She shook her head. “I’m surprised he let you guys drive his car.”
Levi laughed. “Your friend Jack was only paying Harrison back for the privilege of driving our car.”
Reece rolled her eyes. “Men are so ridiculous sometimes.”
She leaned back in her seat and stared out of the window, while Levi finished his meal. Her eyes became heavy, and she startled when Levi stood up. “Come, lie on the sofa. You look as if you could sleep.”
She took his hand, and followed him back to it. He brought over a pillow and blanket, and wrapped it around her, as she snuggled against his side.
“I’ll wake you about an hour before we land, and we’ll talk then. For now, just rest.”
Her eyelids responded to his command and she was asleep.
Chapter 28
Reece woke to Levi’s softly brushing her hair from her face. “I need you to wake, love.”
She opened her eyes to find him kneeling next to her, smiling brilliantly. She grinned back to him, and reached out to touch his handsome face, while her eyes adjusted to the morning light on the airplane. He reached to her hand that caressed his face and gently kissed it. “I do not know what is more beautiful; watching you sleep, or the first smile of your day being intended for me.”
She began to sit up. “Good morning,” she managed.
“I made you some toast, and attempted to make you some scrambled eggs. Hopefully you’ll like them; I’m not really one to cook.”
She laughed as he led her over to the table. She looked down and smiled at the perfectly sliced oranges that Levi used to garnish the plate.
As he sat down to join her, she looked across the table at him and smiled. “This looks delicious, Levi. Thank you, but aren’t you and Harrison going to eat, too?”
He nodded. “We already have. Fortunately, Harrison approved of my cooking, or else you would be having orange slices and toast for breakfast.” He laughed.
Levi poured her some orange juice as she took a bite of the scrambled eggs. “Levi, they are delicious!”
He grinned, “I’m glad you approve.” He then became more serious. “Reece, I fear today will be very demanding. We are facing a situation with an uncertain outcome. There is only one thing I will be sure about, and that is your safety. I will not allow you out of my sight, under any circumstance.” He reached for her hand. “No matter what the outcome of this day, you will be leaving Castle Ruin by my side.”
Reece nodded.
“My father has an enormous challenge awaiting him today as he faces the Council of Worlds. What Simone and Michael have done has not only put all of Pemdas at risk, but it has also destroyed our reputation and good faith with the other worlds. My father must restore their trust in us, while ensuring that you are kept safe.” His eyes grew dark, and he reached for her hand. “I am not trying to frighten you; I just need you to be prepared for whatever I may do at any given moment. I will remove you from any intended harm.” His eyes were as sincere as his promise. “We are going into this situation at a disadvantage. We must trust that Samuel and Harrison will free the rest of the Guardians, because we will need them immensely.”
Reece finished her breakfast, and followed Levi as he stood from the small table. He brought her into a tight embrace. “I have my own plans, if their plans fail. I love you, Reece. I will protect you. Do you trust that I will?”
She looked up at him unquestioningly. “Of course, I do.”
He kissed her head softly. “Freshen up, my love; there are clothes in the back room for you to change into. We will begin our descent into Scotland soon. We have contacted Samuel, and he is waiting to retrieve us from the airport.”
When she was ready for the day, she found a seat on the plane as it began its descent into the beautiful country beneath them. Reece had always had a great desire to visit Scotland, and she laughed as she thought about the circumstances that she was finally able to do so. This isn’t exactly how I would’ve planned it.
The airplane descended smoothly onto a private airport runway, and followed the markers to its destination. Two black Pemdai cars waited, and the plane came to a stop next to them. As the engines shut down, Levi and Harrison exited the cockpit and came to her.
Levi led the way, dressed in a dark business suit. Harrison, in contrast, wore sniper attire—a tight fitting, long-sleeved shirt with a high neck, and black pants tucked into black, lace-up boots. He grinned at Reece. “Did you enjoy your breakfast? Levi only went through two cartons of eggs to make them.” He laughed.
She grinned. It amazed her how the guy was always in a great mood, regardless of the circumstance. “Actually, I did. And scrambled eggs can be a challenge—nobody likes them slimy.”
He laughed as he walked past Levi, who was stopping to help Reece up from her chair.
Harrison walked to the back room of the plane while the stairs were being brought down, giving Reece and Levi a moment alone.
Levi brought Reece into a tight embrace. “My love, stay close to me and remember what you learned in your training. I need you to stay focused, as best you can.” He bent to kiss her, letting his lips linger on hers.
When Harrison returned, he was pulling a black leather glove onto his left hand. “Ah! Practicing for the council today?” He arched his brow, teasing them both.
Reece’s cheeks flushed, but Levi laughed. “I’m willing to give it a try. It may buy you some time, if you have trouble freeing the men we need.”
“When have I ever failed a mission? Give me a mission impossible, and I will shine!”
He wore black leather, protective gear over his clothing. It formed to his body and covered his chest, arms, and the upper half of his legs. Knives and other weapons were sheathed and strapped to his leg
s and arms. Harrison shook Levi’s hand, and clapped him on the shoulder. “Be careful, Levi. I’ll have your back when you least expect it.”
“I know,” said Levi. “You always do.”
Harrison bent down to give Reece a hug. “Say ‘hi’ to Movac for me!” As he stepped back, his features became somber. “You’re in good hands. Do not fear; this will all be over soon enough.” He nodded, and then he was gone, down the steps to the ground.
“Are you ready?” Levi asked as he held out his arm for her.
She put her arm through his, and let him lead her down the steps to where Harrison and Samuel stood in conversation.
Samuel, who was dressed in the same clothing as Harrison, extended his hand to Levi. “Excellent work yesterday, Levi.” His expression became solemn. “Let us go bring our men home. Levi, follow Harrison and me. If all goes well, we’ll have our men freed quickly, and will join you in the council.”
Harrison and Samuel got into the first black car, while Levi led Reece to the one waiting behind it. They followed them out of the private airport, where ten other black cars joined them; half of them pulling in front of Samuel and Harrison, and the other half following behind Levi and Reece. Levi remained calm, but was very quiet. His eyes were glowing brightly; Reece knew that he was listening in, mentally, on the conversation in Samuel and Harrison’s car. He held her hand, and absently rubbed it with his thumb.
As the cars sped through secluded mountain roads, Reece was awed by the breathtaking landscape. The bright green hills reminded her of Pemdas, though the colors were less vivid. After a while, she found she was clenching Levi’s hand tightly.
“We are getting closer. Are you all right?”
She inhaled softly. “Yeah, I think so.” But everything began to weigh on her. She did not know what to expect, or how bad things were about to get. She rested her head back against the seat, and tried to compose herself. She forced herself to take comfort in Levi’s words. Of course she trusted him, but she was not sure if he could save them.
