Chapter 22

FIRBIN SET HIS last charge before contacting Niail. “Get to a safe distance.”

“Understood.”

Firbin pulled his rifle close and crouched low as he edged around the corner of the hallway that opened to the elevator shafts. They had disengaged the system, but that had obviously been overridden. There was a group of ten disembarking from the elevator. He aimed and shot them all.

He rushed to the elevators to set the last of his charges. When he had finished strapping the explosives to the lifts’ mechanisms above the ceiling tiles, he hit all of the floor buttons and sent them to the bottom.

Time was not on his side.

He had to get out of the building and set the detonation before the elevators reached the top again. He raced to the room where they’d found the plans and set up the timer. He gave himself sixty seconds to leave and get to safety. Just as he flicked the switch, the sound of approaching footsteps halted his escape.

He aimed his rifle and started to shoot as men entered the area. One by one he shot them until he was out of ammunition. The men were dead, but the sound of more soldiers echoed down the hallway. He had the disruptor left, and only a few seconds before the building exploded.

There was only two options now.

Find a way to survive the explosion or die.

He didn’t have time to find cover outside of the building.

A quick scan of the room found a heavy freezer on the far wall. It would have to do. He rushed over, pulled the plug out of the socket, and pushed it onto the ground. He opened the door, kicked out the shelves, and climbed in. By his count, he had five seconds left on the timer. The door locked when he shut it.

“He has to be here.” The words were muffled inside of the freezer.

The only weapon he had left was the disruptor. That was for short range and he aimed it at the door. The first person to open it was going to be in for a surprise. He took a deep breath and sent out a wave of love and strength to Marissa. By Cygnus and Warrior, he hoped that he lived long enough to hold her in his arms again.

If not, he would be with her always.

Not even death could break the bond between them.

Stomping boots sounded near. Firbin eased his breathing and prepared for the detonation. When it came, it was deafening in its intensity and size. The heavy metal of the freezer protected him from the heat of the blast, but he felt the concussive force of the explosion. The freezer shook and bounced end to end and then was sucked backwards as the energy of the blast receded.

When the noise and motion stopped, Firbin tried to open the door. It wouldn’t budge. He pushed against it until he was exhausted. There was no movement. Either the door was locked or something was blocking his exit. There was only one recourse. He had to use the disruptor. It was close range and might kill him, but he was out of options.

He put the weapon inside the small opening where the handle was and turned his face away.

He pulled the trigger and waited.

A surge of energy shook the exterior of his small prison and then he felt the brush of cool air. The door of the freezer was completely obliterated. There was rubble and debris on top of the chest, but he could see daylight. He pushed his way through the bits of wood, concrete, and steel that blocked his exit until he was able to stand.

All around him was fire, smoke, and destruction.

He grinned.

This was exactly the result he’d been hoping for. A surge of pride and accomplishment at bringing the building down rushed through him. It was what he’d been bred and trained for. Now he needed to let the others know he was still alive.

He reached out and touched Marissa with his mind. He sent her positive energy and strength. “We are one.”

He pushed through the debris and walked into the open.

Before he could take another step, he saw Marissa running toward him. She flung herself into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. He had never felt anything so perfect in his whole life. Not even the joy he felt at demolishing a building could compare.

He lifted her high onto his chest and walked toward the others.

“You took your time.” Niail’s voice was matter of fact. “Are there any survivors?”

“Doubtful.” Firbin eased Marissa down to the ground. “I blasted the elevator shaft from below. That should stop anymore reinforcements coming up from the tunnels.”

“Good.” Thero slung his rifle onto his shoulder. “We need to leave.”

They left the devastation behind and started the hike across the barren terrain.

“Where are we going?” Jack was the first to speak.

“We’ll leave you in Indian Springs.” Niail pointed in the direction that they had to follow. “You can return to your unit without any problems.”

“You don’t think they’ll ask some questions about this mess?” Jack jerked his head back toward the ruined complex.

“It wasn’t official, so unless you mention it, they won’t know.”

“They’ll track us.”

“That’s why we’re keeping close to the rocks.” Niail motioned for Thero to take the lead. “It will make it more difficult.”

“You guys didn’t think this escape plan out very well.”

“We weren’t intending a rescue,” Firbin admitted. “It wasn’t until I sensed Marissa’s distress that I knew we had to alter our plans.”

“It was a good thing.” Niail’s voice was gruff. “We found what we needed and were able to save a brother’s mate.”

“Let me get this straight.” Jack stopped and pointed at Firbin. “You knew my sister was in trouble?”

“We are connected.” Firbin nodded. “It is as it should be.”

Jack shook his head and looked at Marissa. “Are you okay with this?”

Marissa clasped Firbin’s hand. “Definitely.”

Jack shrugged. “I’m letting you tell Mom and Dad, but I want to be there to see their reaction.”

“Your parents will not approve?” Firbin hadn’t considered that Marissa’s family would object to him.

“They’ll be surprised.” Marissa gave his hand a squeeze. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

“I doubt they’ll like the idea of you living on the run.” Jack’s voice was harsh. “That’s what you’re committing yourself to by not going back and straightening this mess out with the authorities.”

“How can you say that after everything we’ve been through?” Marissa shook her head.

“My mate’s brother was disapproving at first,” Niail said. “I only had to save his life a couple of times before he gave his approval.”

Firbin grinned. “We’ve saved Jack’s life once already.”

“That leaves one more time.” Marissa’s voice held a hint of laughter.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Jack rolled his eyes. “Has she told you about our other brothers?”

“No.”

“Three others to be exact.”

“They’ll love you.” Marissa’s voice was defensive. “There’s no need to worry.”

“I’m not so sure about that. Charles is a pilot in the Air Force and he’ll have a hard time believing this craziness about aliens and Hunters.”

“Then don’t tell him,” Marissa said. “Just tell him that I’ve found a man I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“It’s your funeral.”

“Why should there be a funeral?” Firbin stopped moving. “I cannot let this happen.”

“It’s a saying.” Marissa’s voice was soothing. “He means that it might be difficult for my family to accept.”

“These human sayings are confusing.” Firbin shook his head. “I do not believe I will ever understand.”

Just then, there was the whirring sound of a helicopter.

“Back against the rocks,” Niail ordered.

Dusk had fallen, so the only way they could be spotted was with heat seeking devices. The rock outcroppings would help hide their signature. The chopper was still some distance away and they watched as it approached. It swung in one direction and then circled back to make a sweeping arc through the area they were hiding in.

“Is this Vadim’s chopper?” Firbin kept his voice low.

“It is difficult to tell.” Niail hesitated a second and then continued. “I have reached him. He says that he sent a team out to recover us. He will have them signal if it is them.”

A minute later there was the flashing of a strobe light in a short and then two long blasts.

Thero returned the signal.

The chopper circled in front of them and then landed at the edge of the outcropping that they were hiding in.

“Who is this?” Jack’s voice was a quiet hiss.

“Vadim Kedovich.” Firbin pushed away from the rock. “He helped us get here.”

“The casino owner?” Jack’s voice held doubt. “How do you know you can trust him?”

“He is a Hunter.” Firbin reached a hand out to Marissa. “He would never betray a brother warrior.”

“Is anybody not a Hunter?” Jack’s voice was sarcastic. “Does that mean we’re going to Las Vegas?”

“I think you should head back to your unit.” Niail started down the side of the rocky outcropping.

“Do you want me to hike from here?”

“We’ll have the chopper put you down outside of town. You’ll have to walk from there.”

“As long as I don’t get seen with you guys,” Jack muttered. “I don’t think I’ll be able to explain this to my CO.”

“We are trusting you not to speak of what has happened here.” Niail’s voice was serious.

“You have my word.” Jack’s voice was gruff. “Nobody would believe me anyway.”

There was silence until they reached the helicopter. The same pilot that had flown them earlier in the day was waiting for them. Once they were onboard, he took off. It was several minutes before they reached the outskirts of Indian Springs. The chopper landed in a straight stretch of unused roadway.

Marissa clutched her brother in a hug before he jumped out of the craft.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” Jack asked. “I still might be able to make it right with the authorities.”

Marissa shook her head. “My place is with Firbin.”

Jack shrugged and waved.

There was no doubt about Marissa and her feelings. She’d broken her ties with her family to come with him. She had declared her bond to him publicly.

She had agreed to be with him.

Firbin’s heart soared.