Defiance Rising (41 page)

Drakon rises to his feet, his face a minefield of bloody gashes.
 
“Who dares disrupt me?”

A figure rises from behind the sofa in a whirlwind of papers caused by the gusting winds funneling through the broken window.
 
“I dare,” Bastien growls.

I throw out my hand and shove Drakon’s desk directly at him as I leap to Bastien’s side.
 
I close my eyes and focus.
 
He cries out as I pummel him to the floor, disappearing completely.

“What are you doing?” He growls in my ear.

“Saving your life.”

From the other side of the room, Drakon lunges for the laser concealed under the desk and takes aim in our direction.
 
His eyes roam the empty space.
 
“That’s a clever trick,” he growls stepping around his desk.

He lowers his laser and I roll Bastien to the side only a second before the laser slams into the ground where we were laying.
 
“Don’t let go of me,” I whisper in his ear as I pull him to his knees.
 

Drakon shoots off random shots, growling as each one fails to hit us.
 
“I’m not in the mood for games today, girl.
 
Come out now or I will fry your friend.”
 

Aminah whimpers as Drakon approaches.

I lean up into Bastien’s ear.
 
“When I let go you will be visible again.
 
Get Aminah and Toren out of here.
 
I will take care of Eamon.”

I can feel him shaking his head beside me.
 
“No.
 
I came for you, not them.”

“I’m waiting,” Drakon calls.

I roll Bastien until we are behind an overturned chair.
 
My fingers move across his face until I find his chin.
 
With a whimper, I crush my lips onto his and then dive away from him.
 
I roll to my feet behind Drakon, completely visible.

He turns, gun aimed at Aminah’s chest.
 
“Sorry.
 
Your time was up.”

I scream as he fingers the trigger.
 
Bastien tackles Aminah out of the way, as the laser hits the floor.
 
He leaps to his feet with her in his arms and dives through the open window.

“No!” Drakon growls, leaping to the side of the couch to get a clear shot at Toren.
 
“He can’t save your friend this time.”

I stretch out my hand and yank the couch toward me, sending Drakon tumbling end over end.
 
He crumples to the floor, his laser spiraling out of his hand.
 
I bend over and grab Toren, lifting him into my arms as I race for the window.

Bastien!
 
Catch!

I toss Toren out of the window and watch as Bastien speeds up to meet him, slowing at the last second to match Toren’s speed so he doesn’t break his back.
 
Toren’s head flops as he lands in Bastien’s arms.

“I’m coming back for you!” Bastien shouts before he races to place Toren on the ground.

Heat explodes along my spine and I collapse against the window frame.
 
I can see the red glow of the laser fire flickering in window beside me.
 
A sneer curls my lip as I rise to my feet and turn to face Drakon.

His face drains of color.
 
“That’s impossible!”

I roll my neck as heat radiates up my spine and curls around my heart.
 
Drakon backs away, tripping over the mess of papers that line the floor, fallen from his overturned desk.
 
He stretches out his hand and Eamon’s back arches, his neck tensing as he screams.
 

“Not too close, Illyria.
 
I still have your precious Eamon.”

No matter how I look at this situation, I can’t find a way out without risking Eamon’s life.
 
Although I seem completely capable of breaking Drakon’s attempts to latch onto my mind, I am unable to break his connection with Eamon’s.

“Fine,” I throw up my hands.
 
“You win.
 
Release Eamon and I will go with you.”

Drakon’s eyebrow arches.
 
“How can I trust you?
 
As soon as Eamon is gone you can toss me straight out that window.”

“Let my friends come for him.
 
Once they are through the door I will release full control to you.”

He cocks his head to the side.
 
“A tempting offer.”

I nod.
 
“One I know you can’t pass up.
 
Not if you want to win favor with Aloysius.”

He blinks.
 
“You know of him?”

“I know what my destiny requires.” I reply flatly.

“And yet you would still go with me.”

I nod.

“Fair enough.”
 
He retracts his hand slightly and Eamon’s back sinks to the floor.
 
Exhaustion mars his face but the excruciating pain has faded.
 
“Call your friends.”

Kyan?

I’m here.

Are you well enough to join me?

I’m healed.
 
Bastien and I are on our way.

I stifle the cry rising in my throat at the deal I have just made with the devil.
 
I know what I risk, the complete loss of my own mind, but the risk is worth it.
 

Drakon has agreed to release Eamon to you and allow you a pardon.
 
The war is over.

Kyan is silent for a moment.
 
At what price?

Me.

No!
 
You’re not ready!
  
Kyan’s protests make me close my eyes against my tears.

It’s already done.

I sever the connection and wait.
 
“They are on their way.”

Drakon’s grin turns my stomach.
 
“Excellent.”

“Let me see him,” I say, stepping toward Eamon.
 
Drakon hesitates, but relents with another reminder of the hold he has over Eamon’s mind.
 
I dip down low beside Eamon, gently pressing my lips against his bruised temple.
 
“Please forgive me.”

Drakon cackles behind me.
 
“How touching.”

“Kyan already told you everything you needed to know.
 
You didn’t have to hurt him.”

“True,” he nods.
 
“But I do so enjoy my job.”

I turn and glare up at him over my shoulder.
 
“Be thankful you have a hold on him.
 
If not, I promise you I would find a much slower way for you to die than tossing you out a window.”

The skin around his eyes pinch, but he grins down at me.
 
“Aloysius is going to have so much fun breaking you, girl.”

I turn at the sound of Bastien and Kyan busting through the door.
 
I frown, confused as to why Bastien didn’t just fly Kyan up through the window, but then I notice the strain lining his face.
 
Bastien is near exhaustion.
 

“Take Eamon and leave the City,” I say aloud as Kyan dips down beside me.
 
When he is near enough to whisper, I lean in.
 
“Don’t stay in the mountains. Drakon will not keep this word.”

Kyan nods in silent agreement as he rises with Eamon’s arm thrown over his shoulder.
 
Eamon’s dead weight is a struggle for Kyan, but he manages.
 
I look to Bastien as Kyan stumbles past.

“I’m not leaving without you.”
 
His voice is low, heavy with emotion.

Pain crashes through my thin veil of confidence and I feel my grip on the Shadow weaken.
 
Drakon’s face lights up.
 
“Ah…so he’s the one!”

Bastien’s stance tenses as I face off with Drakon.
 
“Try to hurt him and I swear you will regret it,” I threaten darkly.
 
Electricity sparks in the air around me, but Drakon only shrugs.
 

Kyan lugs Eamon out into the hall.
 
He pauses and turns back for Bastien.
 
“Bastien?”

He shakes his head.
 
“I can’t make myself leave.”

“You have to.
 
It’s the only way to protect you.”
 
I plead with him, begging him to see the truth of my words.

Bastien shakes his head, planting his feet on the floor.
 
“Not without saying goodbye.”

“Not gonna happen, pretty boy.
 
You fooled me once, but I don’t fall for the same trick twice.”

I whip around, unleashing the full extent of my anger on Drakon.
 
He watches the swirl of shadow in my eyes.
 
“Either I get to say goodbye to him or our deal is off.”

He splutters, going red in the face as his vein becomes more pronounced.
 
He eyes Bastien and then me.
 
“We have a ship to catch.
 
Make it fast.”

Bastien leaps forward, taking me in his arms.
 
I cling to him, desperate to glean strength from him, as his tormented soul is laid bare before me.
 
I can see love, unfathomable in its depth.
 
“Please don’t do this.
 
Come with me,” he begs.

“I can’t,” I whisper.
 
“He can still destroy Eamon’s mind.”

A sob rises in Bastien’s throat as he crushes his lips against mine.
 
His hands tighten around my arms, pressing me against the length of his body.
 
I want to mold myself around him, to savor this one last kiss, but Drakon shoves us apart.

“That’s enough.
 
Get a move on, boy.”

“I love you,” I cry out as he shoves Bastien toward the door.
 

Tears dampen Bastien’s cheeks. “I will find you.
 
I promise!”

“I think I might throw up,” Drakon mocks from behind me.
 

“Have you no decency?”
 
I hear a rustle of fabric and turn to see him rising with a laser gun in his hand.
 

“I guess not.”
 
He raises his gun and fires straight at Bastien’s heart.
 

Thirty-Five

Rage fragments my thoughts as I watch the scarlet laser shoot toward Bastien.
 
A guttural snarl rips from my throat as I throw out my hand and shove Bastien out of the way.
 
He tumbles end over end as the beam slams into the wall behind him, leaving behind a scorched divot.

My control over the Shadow shatters as I bear down on Drakon.
 
He fires off three shots at me, but instead of absorbing them, they deflect off me like light on a prism.
 
Drakon ducks as the lasers careen away.

Lightning forks in the sky as the dark clouds begin to swirl overhead, forming a perimeter around the City edge.
 
Three tornadoes descend to the earth, tearing apart the City outskirts as they converge toward the Shard.
 

The building quakes as the ground rolls underfoot.
 
Drakon cries out as the metal frame of the building rocks, spilling him off his feet.
 
From the windows beyond, I can see deep crevices carving in the earth.
 
Spider drones spill into the holes as Caldonians dangle from the crumbling ground.
 
Entire blocks of buildings tumble into the sinkholes.
 

Apple sized hail is hurled from the sky and forks of lightning strikes at the land, charring everything in its path.
 
Fires rampage through the broken city, sealing off the alien’s exit.

Drakon’s laser gun rises into the air, crumpling as I clench my fist.
 
Sky Ships implode in midair, careening to the ground, rocking the city with their explosions.
 
Shrapnel and ice fill the air as I pin Drakon to the wall.

In the distance, I watch as the Caldonian’s homes are leveled, leaving nowhere for them to hide.
 
The tornadoes collect glass and rubble from the ground, sending deadly debris whipping through the air.
 

Drakon watches in disbelief at the annihilation of his beloved city.
 
“You can have Eamon back.
 
I promise to release him to you if you will spare my life.”

“You are in no position to make deals.” I curl my fingers, slowly crushing his windpipe.
 
His eyes bulge as he claws at his throat.
 
Gurgling cries spill from his lips.

The desk and chairs whip into a cyclone about me, sucking up papers and shattered picture frames off the floor.
 
“Help me,” he gurgles, glancing down at Bastien.

“No!” Bastien cries as he races toward me.
 
“Don’t do this.
 
He isn’t worth it.”

He is buffeted by the winds, ducking out of the way, as the couch breaks into three pieces and lifts into the air.
 

I rise off the ground at the center of the deadly vortex.
 
Bastien shields his eyes as a golden light emits from my chest.
 
I raise my hands above my head and a ball of energy spirals in my hands.

Bastien’s hair stands on end as he pushes his way toward me.
 
“Don’t let the Shadow consume you!”
 
He screams over the roar of the swirling winds.
 
“If you kill him, I will lose you!”

I shake my head, trying to push out his words.
 
The whispers rise in a symphony within my mind.
 
Bastien cries out in pain as he clasps onto my hand.
 
He sinks to the floor, jerking as if he’s just been electrocuted.

“Bastien!”

I throw out my hand and envelope Bastien in healing light.
 
His convulsions cease, but his face remains contorted.
 

“See what you made me do!” I scream at Drakon.

“Remember who you are,” Bastien pleads weakly.
 

I scream, yanking at my hair.
 
The rage is too strong.
 
I’m losing control.

Bastien rises unsteadily to his feet.
 
“Do you love me?”

“Yes,” I whisper hoarsely.
 
“More than anything.”

“Is your love for me stronger then the Shadow?” He asks, rising to his feet.
 
He inches toward me, buffeted by the winds.
 
As the electricity fades around me, he reaches out and cups my cheek in his hand.
 

“Yes.”
 
Flashes of violet return to my eyes and the Shadow begins to lift.
 

“Then fight back!”

My body slams against the ceiling, consumed with rippling energy.
 
My back arches as I scream.
 
Light shoots from my chest, glowing with pure, blinding luminescence.
 
Bastien shields his eyes from the light, unable to handle the sight of my raw power.
 
The light blinks out of existence and I collapse to the floor.
 

Papers, desks and books fall from the air.
 
The clouds break apart, letting sunlight stream through once more.
 
The tornadoes spin themselves out and the ground ceases to quake.
 
People all over the City crawl out from their hiding places.

As the Shard ceases rocking, Bastien throws himself to my side, rolling me over as he cradles me against him.
 
His lips find mine and tears leak down my face as I wrap my arms around him.
 
Drakon slumps to the ground, unconscious.

Kyan races into the room, stopping in the doorway to survey the damage.
 
Laser scorch marks line nearly every wall.
 
Everything has been turned upside down and Bastien and I embrace in the middle of it all.

He clears his throat.
 
“Um…sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you were done tearing apart the City.”

I flush furiously as Bastien releases me.
 
I squeeze his hand and nod.
 
“Sorry about that.”

Kyan grins.
 
“The war is over, thanks to you.”
 
He turns and looks to Drakon.
 
“You didn’t kill him.”

Bastien wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in close.
 
“I told you she was stronger than the Shadow.”

“So you did,” Kyan nods, dipping down beside Drakon to check his pulse.
 
“I think it’s only fitting that we send Drakon back to Aloysius to tell him the good news of our victory here today, don’t you?”

I laugh and accept Bastien’s hand up.
 
“I wish I could be there to watch.”

I tug Bastien toward the door, but he pulls back.
 
“I’m gonna hang out here for a few minutes.
 
Why don’t you head down and check on everyone?
 
I’m sure Aminah is dying to see you.”

Bastien’s earlier warmth has begun to recede, leaving a cold dread in his wake.
 
I force a smile and pause in the doorway.
 
“You’ll come find me, right?”

He hesitates before nodding.
 
I slip out of the room and wrap my arms around myself as I start the long trek down the stairs.

Aminah dashes across the courtyard when she sees me emerge from the Shard.
 
A brilliant smile greets me just before she throws her arms around me.
 
“Thank you for saving Toren!”

“And you,” I chuckle as she steps back.
 
“Glad to see you on two legs again.”

She nods, her flattened curls thick with blood and tiny bits of debris.
 
“Your friend healed me.
 
I think he said his name is Carleon.”

I grin and look up to see the younger boy eagerly waving at me.
 
I wave back and squeeze Aminah’s hand.
 
“Is everyone ok?”

A knowing smile makes her eyes twinkle as she looks over my shoulder.
 
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

I spin around and find myself scooped up into Eamon’s arms.
 
He lifts me off the ground, twirling us around.
 
He glows with happiness as he kisses me.
 
“So, I hear I have you to thank for saving me.
 
I think I make a pretty hot damsel in distress.”

Aminah shifts away, returning to Toren’s side, but I hardly notice.
 
It feels too good to be in Eamon’s arms.
 
“I was so worried about you!
 
How did you survive Drakon?”

He slides his hands down my arms and twines his fingers through mine.
 
“I just kept thinking about you.”

I blush furiously as he cups my cheek, brushing his thumb across my skin.
 
“I never get tired of making you blush.”

His fingers shift to lift a thick clump of hair from my shoulder.
 
“Love the new look,” he grins mischievously.
 
“I think I could really get used to the new you.”

I flush and run my fingers through my hair.
 
“It’s different, that’s for sure.”

“I like it,” he grins, wrapping his arms about my waist.
 
“It’s sexy.”

My blush deepens under his adoring gaze.
 
I clear my throat and let my head rest against his chest so I don’t have to hide my discomfort.
 
“How many did we lose?”

“More than we would have liked.
 
Most of the men have burns and bruises.
 
Nothing that can’t be mended.”

I look at the courtyard filled with people milling about.
 
Many are bloody, bandaged with whatever clean fabric can be plucked from the rubble.
 
Entire blocks have been leveled by my devastation.

“Many of them are already joining our forces.
 
Kyan was right, most of these men didn’t want this war.
 
They were just following orders.
 
Once we get them cleaned up and rebuild part of the City, I think we’ll be ready to start planning the next battle.”

I groan.
 
“Oh, please let me recover from this one first!”

Eamon laughs, tucking me under his arm.
 
“I still can’t believe you did all of this.”

“A woman scorned,” I mutter under my breath.

He pulls back to look at me.
 
“Something must have really ticked you off.”

I avoid his gaze, knowing that he will figure it out easily enough on his own.
 
I shelter my face from him with a veil of raven hair.
 
It is cowardly to hide but, even still, I do.

Eamon sighs.
 
“It was him, wasn’t it?”

“Do you hate me?” I whisper.

“Never,” he says into my ear and then pulls me around to kiss my forehead.
 
His lips pause against my skin before he pulls back.
 
“I think someone wants you.”

I look up, surprised to see Bastien standing close to the Shard, waiting for me.
 
I look to Eamon, unsure if I should leave him.
 
He shoots me a weak smile.
 
“Go on.”

The walk to Bastien is slow and painful, filled with conflicting emotions.
 
As I approach, he turns and disappears around the corner of the building.
 
He waits for me halfway down the block with his back turned toward me.
 

I wait in tortured silence for him to speak, shifting from foot to foot with unease.
 

“Now that Drakon’s army has fallen, we will begin assimilating many of the soldiers into our ranks.
 
Kyan intends to keep the momentum going, to strike while Aloysius is weakened.”

“That makes sense,” I respond, confused as to why this matters to me.
 

When Bastien turns, I can see that his face is drawn with exhaustion.
 
“Kyan needs someone to lead the army while he remains behind to continue your training.”

“And he chose you?”
 
I suck in a breath, reaching out to grab his hand, but pull back when he bristles and steps away.
 
My stomach clinches painfully.