Sabin, A Seven Novel (17 page)

“Talk to me, Serena.”

She clamps her lips together and swallows. Her tone is lifeless as she answers. “I was different. Kids aren’t nice to the ones who aren’t like them.”

“How were you different?” I ask.

“You know the story and truth be known, my mom’s an ass. Anyway, my life finally improved when I graduated from high school and left home. Since I had no friends in high school, and I mean none, I studied a lot. I was able to get a scholarship to college and I had always dreamed of SCUBA diving. I was in love with my pretty goldfish in their little bowl. I know it’s so lame, but they were the only things I talked to. As soon as I saved enough money, I became certified and the fact that I was studying marine biology only fueled my interest. I guess you might say that’s where my life began. Now you’re probably sorry you asked me because you know what a loser I am.” The smile she offers me is pretty weak.

I’m angry. Not at her. Never at her for what she just told me. But she’s right. “Well, I’d have to agree about the list of asses I need to kick. But if you ever call yourself a loser again, I’m going to add your name to that list.” Her eyes widen. “People say and do all kinds of terrible things. You’ve seen the Shaurok. If you could see the results of their work, you would know it’s far worse than what you’ve told me, though I’m not trying to make light of what you just said. Serena, those kids were jerks. Every last one of them. The girls were probably jealous of your looks.” Now I raise my hand because she opens her mouth and I can tell she’s getting ready to say something. “Let me finish. You are exquisite. Girls are mean. If they think another girl is prettier than they are, they will do awful things to her. I’ve seen it happen before. And the boys—maybe they all had a crush on you but were embarrassed to say anything because you didn’t wear fashionable clothes. That would be my guess. And they were all pussies—not big enough to stand up and admit it. So they bullied you instead to get attention. Now your parents are another story. They should be shot. And that’s all I have to say about them. But let me dissect you. You have the most beautiful hair. Never cut it. I could wrap myself in it for days on end. Your face is something artists clamor for. Your body is perfection. And you are smart and witty. But you’re brave and courageous, too. Don’t ever sell yourself short. Do you understand me?”

Her eyes settle on me and she says, “I think so.” Her voice is hesitant so I’m not sure if she believes me or not.

“No thinking about it. Tell me you do. I know your youth was unpleasant, but you need to push through it because I would bet that if you’d run into any of those assholes now, you could run circles around all of them.”

“You think?”

“I know. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You would be blown away.” Now her eyes soften.

“Thank you. For listening and for this.”

“I’ve only told you the truth.”

“So, what about you? Your childhood?”

I shrug. “It was normal, I suppose. Nothing like yours.” I know I’m reticent, but I don’t disclose anything of myself to others. This way, I’m much less likely to get hurt when she leaves.

“What was it like where you grew up? Did you have all sorts of cool stuff?” I laugh because her face is so animated when she asks the question. “If you’re asking to compare it what you have on Earth, then yeah. But to me, it was the usual.”

“Tell me, Sabin.”

She’s eager, like she’s awaiting a new toy. She won’t like my answer. “I hate to disappoint you, but I can’t. I’ve already told you more than I should.” I lie down and say, “Come here.” Pulling her into my side, I begin, “One, we need to sleep. It will be morning soon and I’m exhausted. You, my beautiful princess, have worn me out.”

“Did you read my mind?”

“No, why?”

“The beautiful princess thing.”

“I called you that because you look like one. I apologize if it was an insult.”

“No, it’s only because I told you all that stuff about my terrific childhood. My parents always referred to me as their little financial burden. I was young and didn’t know what it meant; I would dream it was a fancy term for beautiful princess. Imagine my delight when I learned the true meaning of it.”

My jaw clenches. What parent calls their little girl that?

“Since you were never called that then, I’ll call you that now.”

“I would rather you didn’t. It isn’t something I care to remember.”

“I understand. Then I shall call you by your beautiful name, as it was intended.”

“So, why can’t you tell me about your cool stuff?”

“It is against our laws. As I’ve said, I have already told you more than I should, and you have seen too much with healing my injuries. Now, sleep.” I find myself petting her silky strands that I love so much. She curls up next to me and when her breathing softens, I relax and let myself sleep, too.

The room is bathed in darkness when I wake. It’s nothing unusual because there aren’t any damn windows in this place. I’m used to light and open spaces. I’d love to open the curtains and let the morning sun stream in. But I’d have to punch a hole in the brick wall of this place. Serena still sleeps. I’m careful to be quiet when I slip out of bed. After I take a quick shower, I head to the kitchen for something to eat.

Several of the men sit around the table. Rafe is one of them.

“You look like shit,” Rafe comments. He reeks of hostility.

“I suppose I do. It’s been a long night.”

“Maybe you’ve expended too much energy fucking Serena.”

Edge and Verus stop eating and scrutinize the two of us. Rafe’s smart ass comments are something I don’t need to deal with today. Do I blast him with what’s on the tip of my tongue and start a verbal war, or do I ignore him? Ignoring him isn’t possible. I don’t give a shit about me, but he just insulted Serena.

He sits there with a smug look on his face so when my hand snatches a fistful of his shirt, it takes him by surprise. “Listen, you prick. I’ve had enough of your piece of shit mouth. You’re supposed to have my back, like I’ve always had yours. And now you’re acting like some foul-mouthed jealous teenager. What is it, Rafe? Are you jealous that I got the girl? Is that it? Let’s clear the air once and for all.”

“That’s not it and you damn well know it. You’re lying down on the job. That’s what the issue is. You’re leaving us to fight the battles while you hang back here and fuck your little plaything.”

Before I even know what’s happening, my fist smashes into Rafe’s face. Edge and Verus fly to their feet, each of them grabbing one of us.

My chest heaves, not with exertion, but with unadulterated fury. The fact that I came back here with severe injuries goes completely unrecognized by Rafe. And that pisses me off. Before I can utter a word, Edge is on it.

“That’s unfair Rafe, and you know it. Sabin could barely hold himself up, much less breathe when he got back here. And for you to make that kind of claim is pure bullshit. I saw it all go down on the complink.”

Rafe only stands there not speaking. Now Verus steps in. “While I can’t speak for what happened after he returned here, Sabin was in no shape to fight. If he had stayed, he would not be standing here right now, Rafe. I was fighting right next to him. You need to apologize. Your conduct is unacceptable.”

“That doesn’t account for your bedroom behavior,” Rafe says.

“This is ridiculous,” Edge says. “Since when have you been concerned about that?”

Helios walks in and takes everything in. “Is this about the girl?” he asks.

Aw, hell. Verus answers for me. “I believe it’s about Rafe’s jealousy.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass about bedroom behavior when we’re not on duty.” Rafe tries to defend his position.

“Look, we need to calm down here. This is a room full of raging hormones,” Verus says.

“No it’s not. It’s a jealous man who wanted the girl,” I snap. “Now listen up, Rafe. I did nothing out of the ordinary or nothing that was considered unacceptable, according to our standards. If you have any issues with my behavior, you need to take it up with me, privately. Understand?”

Rafe nods. I walk over to the food dispenser and create a meal. I’m starved. After that fiasco, I need sustenance. When I finish eating I gesture to Rafe. “Meet me out back. We need to clear the air between us.”

He’s not happy but he joins me outside. His posture tells me this is going to be a tough discussion. Instead of being confrontational, which is generally my way and how I’d like to be, I decide to be a little more tactful. I only hope my patience, which is worn thin, lasts long enough for us to clear this up.

“You and I go way back. We’ve never had this issue before. What gives?” I ask.

“She’s clouding your judgment.”

“I disagree. I was frustrated with her yesterday. Not clouded.”

“It’s the same in my mind. And one human ended up dying.”

“Could’ve happened anyway.”

“Bloody fuck! You’re so damned callous about it,” he yells.

“Not callous, only realistic. It’s always been this way. Maybe you never took note.” I rub my face, trying to think of something to say. This is Rafe I’m talking to. He has more experience than anyone else in that building. I need to tell him. “You’re crucial to this team. You have more skill and knowledge than anyone here except me. I need your head on right. The team needs your head on right. We’re getting ready to march down a different road, Rafe. Things can get dicey up ahead and the last thing this mission needs is for us to be at odds. We’ve always worked well together. I want us back on the right track.”

“As do I. So, dangling the carrot. What if your plaything gets hurt or killed in the process?”

“Please don’t call her that. And she won’t.” My teeth are clenched together so hard my jaws ache.

“How do you know this?”

I can’t answer him. I’m no seer of future events. But I do know one thing. “I know because I will protect her with my life and I’ll die saving hers.”

He cocks his head and his eyes pin me. “What is she to you? You’ve only just met her.”

“Good question. If you can help me figure out the answer, I’d love to know.”

His eyes still hold mine. “Seriously?”

“As the day is long in summer back home.”

“Fuck, Sabin. This could be complicated.”

“Clearly. But I’ll have to leave her eventually.”

“Not if you …”

“Not if I what?”

“Claim her.”

I let out a rueful laugh. “Oh, and you think The Council will give me their blessing? When I bring her home, I’ll have another ration of shit to deal with. It was bad enough with the Juliette and Kade Hart, but wait until Ali’yah gets wind of this. She would shred Serena to pieces.”

“Sabin, all the more reason to claim her. Even if The Council doesn’t approve, you can still do it.”

“You’re leaving out one very important detail.”

“What?”

“Serena has to approve, too.”

“Why? Just do it.”

“What the hell, Rafe? She’s human. They do things a bit differently here. Besides, look what happened the last time I did something so rash and idiotic. I ended up with a viper. And she still is trying to kick my balls.”

“True. But Serena is no Ali’yah.”

“That she is not.” I can feel the tension dissolve from my face.

“You feel something for this girl. I can see it in you.”

“That’s inconsequential. I …
we
have a job to do and that’s what will happen. When finished, I will go my way and she’ll go hers.”

“But she has to be taken away from here or she’ll remain in danger. You have to take her home.”

“Why do you pester me about this?”

“Because I was wrong, Sabin, and I admit it. I’m sorry I was a prick. But I was right, too. This girl has gotten to you. Like no one ever has. Even Ali’yah. And you can’t let her get away. Claim her. If you take her home without doing so, someone else may, and then you’ll be grinding your teeth until they break. And all the men will be bearing the brunt of it.”

“I can’t.”

Rafe blows out his breath. “You are so fucking hard headed. And this is not a compliment.”

I give him a wicked grin. “So you say.”

“Everybody says it and you damn well know it.”

By this time we’re both leaning against the building, our backs on the wall, as we talk. “Yeah, I do. It’s my way. Accept it. Besides, you know it’s saved our asses a time or two.”

“You have this uncanny ability to pick up on the weirdest shit.”

I shrug. “That’s why I have this job.”

“So, Sabin, what kind of tricks do you have up your sleeve this time? How are we going to find Judgment Day?”

“Serena.”

“What if they don’t take the bait?”

“Then we know they have it and we’ll have to go after it.”

“Jesus. The last time we went after the Mastermind, we lost men.”

My head and torso ache. It hurts to remember what happened then. “Yeah. But you know how this works. We’ll have to come up with something. If the Shaurok do have Judgment Day, then the Mastermind is only one step away from controlling the universe. Total domination. We need to get it back before his plans are set in motion or we’ll be too late to stop him.”