Saven Defiance (The Saven Series Book 4) (23 page)

“He didn’t tell me that, but we’ve had a lot on our minds. That’s good. Has Rylan heard anything?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

A shrill hooting sound goes off on our left, and we both jump and shriek at the same time. Ax is beside me in a heartbeat. “It’s only a crackjaw. Don’t panic.”

“A what the what?” Fern asks.

“A harmless bird,” Ax confirms.

“Oh. Okay. Thanks.”

He makes no effort to fall back, and the three of us walk in silence for a few moments. Logan casts a quick glance over his shoulder.

“I’m okay.”

He narrows his lips but nods and turns back around.

Fern decides to catch up to Rylan, leaving Ax and me walking by ourselves. “Can I ask you something?” I examine his face.

“Sure.” He shoves his hands in his pockets as a burst of cold air blasts us.

I sway slightly on my feet, and his hand shoots out to steady me. “I’ve been thinking about your mom’s mind-jacking ability and wondering why she hasn’t tried anything yet. What do you think she’s up to?”

He sighs as he drops his hand. “Plotting some sort of revenge, if I know her at all. Although, she is most likely focused on rebuilding the Tempo and rebooting the back-up systems, assuming you destroyed everything in HQ.”

I purse my lips. “Do you think she’s going to use me to exact her vengeance?”

“I honestly don’t know, Sadie.” He scratches his head. “I’d say you are most definitely on her hit list now, and if she can find a way of getting you to do her dirty work first, then she’ll do it.” I flinch. “Sorry, I know that’s not a cheery thought, but I’m not going to lie to you.”

I glance at Logan. He’s engrossed in conversation with Rylan and Fern. I quickly look over my shoulder. Izzy is nattering away to Neve and Alex. I whisper as I speak to a perplexed looking Ax. “I think she’s trying to impact my mind.”

“What?” He stops abruptly, and the others narrowly avoid bumping into us. Neve pins me with a “what the hell?” look.

I tug on Ax’s elbow, dragging him forward. “Keep walking. I don’t want to draw any attention.”

He leans down. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve been getting these headaches. They come on quite rapidly in short bursts of stabbing pain. It lasts for about a half hour, and then it fades as quickly as it came on. At first, I thought it was a reaction to the change in environment, but now I’m not so sure. Do you think it’s her? That she’s trying to get into my head?”

Back on Tor, Ax had explained that the implant hidden behind my ear is linked to a high-tech system Griselda uses to force people to do her bidding. She can inject herself into my head and try to take control again. I shudder at the thought, determined to do everything in my power to stop her from mind-jacking me again. I had assumed I wiped out everything, including all their systems, when the bomb detonated, but either the bomb didn’t cause total devastation or she has a back-up system somewhere.

His worried eyes meet mine. “If she wanted to get into your head, she could.”

“Wow. Well, that’s a real comforting thought.” Stress cords the muscles in my shoulders into knots. Logan looks back at me again, and I send him a reassuring smile.

We are both quiet for several minutes. “If that’s the case, then I don’t understand why she hasn’t succeeded already. Do you think it’s because the system was destroyed or damaged? Or, I was wondering, do you think the bands might deflect more than just my incendio gift?”

He arches his brows contemplatively. “That’s an interesting supposition, but I don’t know if you’re right. She hasn’t had cause to use those bands on anyone ever before.”

“I hate the way your mother treats me like her own special brand of guinea pig.”

He looks perplexed again. “A what?”

“Never mind.” I rub my temples in soothing circular motions.

Footsteps approach from the front. “Are you feeling okay?” Logan asks, lifting his hands to where my fingertips are still massaging my skull. “Another headache?”

I grace him with my best smile. “I’m fine. Stop fussing.”

“Can’t help it. Comes with the job description.” His lips fight a smile.

“There’s a job description?” I tease. “Can anyone add to the list of duties?” I pin him with a suggestive look.

Ax drops back without a word, falling urgently into step beside Izzy. I dampen my guilty feeling as I let Logan take my hand.
“What were you two talking about?”

“I was wondering if my headaches were somehow connected to Griselda. If she was trying to take control of my mind.”

“What?”
He slams to a halt, and the others protest vocally as they collide with us. Logan blatantly ignores them, so they maneuver around us and walk ahead.
“Why am I only hearing this now?”

“Relax. It’s only an idea, and I could be totally wrong. I started wondering about it last night after the headache came and went so quickly again.”

“I don’t like it. It makes me nervous.”
He tows me forward.

“Me too.”
We walk on in silence, both lost in thought.
“Logan? I need you to promise me something.”
He gives me his undivided attention.
“If you suspect that I’m not in control of myself, you must promise to restrain me. Either that or knock me out cold. You can’t hesitate, not for one second. You need to render me unconscious, and then lock me up some way.”

Logan’s mouth is curled in a displeased line.
“I’m not promising that!”

“Why ever not?”
I yank on his arm and glare at him.
“I nearly killed you last time she mind-jacked me! This is for
your
protection and anyone else who happens to be in the vicinity.”

“It’s different now. We are one and the same. You’d never hurt me.”

His unwavering sense of loyalty warms all the frozen parts of me, which are a lot, because an Arctic-type wind is presently battering us from all sides.
“I wish I had the same faith in me. But the point is, it wouldn’t be me. I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you again. Please. Promise me this.”

“I’m not going to lie, Sadie. I can’t promise you that. There’s no way I could willingly hurt you. Sorry, but I can’t do it.”

I’m tempted to reconnect our line so he can feel the frustration thundering through me, but I don’t want to use it as some form of underhanded blackmail.
“Logan.”
I touch his arm. “
Please. I know you don’t want to do it, but it’s the best way of protecting me too.”

He thinks about that. “
The Elder said you have the power to defeat her. Maybe this is what he meant. You have greater control over your mind now, and we are connected. He said we are always stronger as one. If you feel her trying to get into your head, tap into our connection, and we’ll push her out together.”

I yank my hand out of his.
“Are you freaking insane?”
I stare at him as if he’s just sprouted an extra head. “
I’m not doing that! What if she has a way of using the connection against us? Of getting into
your
head? I’m not prepared to risk that.”

“Well, I’m not prepared to risk hurting you.”

Our mutual stubborn streak appears unaffected by our bond. Huh. “This is pointless,” I huff.

We slow down as the others come to a standstill up ahead. “We’ll have to park this for now. But we are not done discussing this.” I hate when he uses that authoritative voice on me.

Too right. And you’re not the only one I plan on discussing this with.
I ensure my line is fully retracted before I think those thoughts. If he won’t help me, I know someone who will.

We join the others as Haydn begins addressing the group. His face is deadly serious as he speaks. “We are at the edge of the forest which traverses the border of the Eon Pass. We’ll have to abseil across the divide to reach the other side. Allow the soldiers to demonstrate, and follow their guidance. No heroics or messing of any kind. Wind velocity will be considerable, so prepare yourselves.” He grips the straps of his backpack. “Follow me.”

Logan seizes my hand without apology, and we walk dutifully behind the others in complete silence. Prevailing gusts of winds pummel us from all angles, and the skin on my face wobbles painfully. Logan slips my backpack off and throws it across one shoulder. Then he slides me on the inside, tucking me snugly under his arm. I cling onto him without objection.

The howling, bustling wind continues to heckle us as we battle our way forward, stumbling and swaying with the strength of the breeze. Discussion is nonexistent as everyone focuses on staying upright.

Once we arrive at a small black steel hut perched on the threshold of the mountain, Haydn ushers us quickly into the building, closing the door once the last soldier is in. The wailing wind is silenced instantaneously. My foot taps fretfully off the concrete floor.

“Buckle up,” Haydn instructs, handing everyone straps with sturdy metal clips attached.

Logan snatches mine and begins fitting it before I can even open my mouth. I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Give me my bag.”

He continues fastening my straps in place as he replies, “I’ve got it. No sweat.”

Placing my hands on his chest, I force him to look at me. “No way. You are not abseiling between mountains with two heavy bags on your back.” He sends me one of his most stubborn looks. “Give me the damned bag.” I send him one of my special death glares. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Ax watching the interaction with interest. His lips pitch up.

“Have it your way.” Logan eventually relents, securing the bag on my back and tying the straps tight. “But so you know,” he says, speaking directly into my ear, “if you fall, I fall.”

“What faith you have in me.” I tut-tut in disgust.

“Can’t a husband worry about his wife?”

My heart swells to life, and I beam at him.
“Is that what we are?”

Logan smiles broadly.
“Yep. The Eterno bond supersedes marriage. You are already my wife in every sense of the word.”

I lean up on tiptoe, which actually isn’t very easy with a dead weight on my back, and kiss him. I keep it brief, still conscious of Ax’s watchful stare. He’s trying not to make it obvious, but I’m painfully aware of his attention.
“Ditto, husband.”
Saying the word, even in my mind, gives me an inordinate thrill.

“Move out,” comes the command, and we line up with the others. A gust of breath-stealing wind roars through the structure the instant that Haydn opens the door at the far end. I can’t see much, thanks to the towering forms in front of me, but, I figure, it’s probably for the best. My heart pounds as the line moves forward. With every shriek and scream, I grow more and more paralyzed.

I don’t realize I’m trembling until Logan places his hands on my shoulder and squeezes reassuringly.
“Don’t panic. Haydn has managed this crossing countless times. He won’t let anything happen to you.”

I splutter.
“He’d probably relish the opportunity to drop me into the abyss.”

Logan spins me around so I’m facing him.
“I don’t know what is going on between you two, but he would never do something like that. NEVER.”

I shuffle on my feet.
“I was only joking.”
Partly.

We approach the entrance. Ax hovers at the front with a determined look on his face. Haydn wiggles his fingers at me. “This idiot won’t go until you’re safely across.” He chucks a frustrated look at Ax.

I don’t bother trying to reason with him. What’s the point?

“Sadie and I will cross together,” Logan blurts out, and this time I do roll my eyes.

“No, you’re not. I’m going by myself.”

“But—”

“But, nothing. I’m not a little kid. I can take care of myself. Besides, this will be a breeze. You said Haydn wouldn’t let anything happen to me. Right?” I turn around and slant a challenging look at Haydn. He nods curtly.

I step forward as Logan grumbles under his breath. Ax fights another smirk.

“Closer,” Haydn orders. Hurricane-force winds slap me around, and I nearly lose my balance, pitching forward. Haydn slings out his arm and hauls me back against his chest. “Try not to fall over the edge before I’ve even secured your clip.”

Looking around, I scout the scenery for the first time. Tentatively leaning against the solid metal railing, I peer over, gasping at the sheer drop below. I didn’t realize we were
this
high up.

Rugged rock lines the Eon Pass on both sides, tapering into a smoother canvas nearer the ground. A gushing river meanders wildly below, crashing and slamming against the edges of the mountain on both sides as it continues its eager journey. Lifting my head, I follow the trail of the thick silver wire, which runs from this side to the other. The others are indistinguishable dots on the opposite side.

Haydn tugs on a solid metal hook and clips it to the strap around my chest. Next, he pulls a line from the rear strap at my spine, tugging until it’s fully extended. He wraps it several times around my waist before clipping it onto the same hook. Pointing at a small red pulley on the side of the hook, he says, “Pull the brake as you approach to slow yourself down. You are firmly secured, and you can’t fall out. Okay?”

Concealing my abject terror, I nod.

“You will accelerate quicker than most, given your body mass, so prepare for a quick ride. Ready?”

Logan leans in and kisses my cheek. “See you on the other side.”

I draw a brave breath. “I’m ready.” I force a smile on my face.

Haydn presses a button on a small device in his palm, and I lift up off the ground. Panic slams into me as I dangle over the ledge, but I refuse to close my eyes. The line judders, and then I’m moving, at lightning-fast speed, as I race across the line toward the other side. A shrill scream escapes my mouth as my hair unravels from my makeshift bun. My hair is like a writhing bunch of snakes as it swirls all over my face, obscuring my view. My body feels weightless as I accelerate. All the skin on my face jiggles like it might flitter off at any second.

Suddenly, I’m struck by the magnitude of the moment. Hurtling through the air becomes freeing, not terrifying. This time last year, I was suffocating within the confines of my life. I would’ve done anything to escape. That my life has come full circle is as exhilarating as it is scary.