Broken Wings (Cruel and Beautiful World, Book One 1) (49 page)

"Oh." Luka looked down at his feet and went quiet.

Neither of them said anything more as they walked towards the gate. When they got there, Luka returned to Inner City while Xander collected his hover-bike from the lot and rode off.

When Xander got home, Deryn was not in the front room like she normally was. He took off his shoes and coat, and headed for the bedroom, where he found her asleep with a book laying open on her stomach. He smiled and took it off of her, carefully marking the page before changing his clothes and climbing in beside her.

It had only been three days since Xander found out about his father, and he and Deryn had not so much as kissed since. Other than the occasional cheek peck. Even wrapping his arm around her now didn't seem right, but it had become a habit that he really didn't feel like breaking.

"You're late," she said quietly as he pulled her into him.

"I had to pass along a message to your people," said Xander. He had told her a while ago about Del and the others. But while he'd told Deryn about Del, he hadn't told Del about Deryn. There were too many risks involved if the Resistance found out she was free and in hiding, namely them coming for her in idiotic fashion. Talon and Dakota tended to lead missions in the Resistance, and neither of them were known for subtlety.

"Why?" she asked, turning and looking at him with fluttering eyelashes.

"We're following a lead on Outsiders said to be living in Willow tomorrow. I had to warn them."

Deryn blinked. "But ... the Resistance doesn't know you're a spy, do they?"

Xander sighed. "No."

"Then how will they know not to attack you?"

"They won't."

Deryn froze. Her lips quivered. "Xander, you can't go on that mission. It's a deathtrap."

"I'll be fine," he said. "I've done it a dozen times before."

"But -"

"There are no buts, Deryn. I have to go. Would you rather I didn't warn them and let the Guardians take them by surprise?"

Deryn sighed. "No. I would rather you weren't a Guardian."

"Too late to change that now," he said, giving her cheek a stroke. "You remember what to do if I don't return?"

Deryn gulped. "Go to Bronson the moment the curfew's lifted and have him take me to Del." If he wasn't around it was the only option.

"And you remember the knock?"

She nodded shallowly and did the knock on his chest.

"Good," said Xander, taking her hand in his. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it. If he couldn't have her lips then this was a close second.

"Promise me you'll be careful."

"Of course I will."

She nuzzled against his chest.

Now it was time for the big question. "If I see anyone you know and opportunity presents itself, should I tell them you're free?"

Deryn thought about this. "I suppose you should tell Talon or Dakota. But
only
if you can actually get them to sit down and listen. I don't want either of them finding out and then breaking into the city to get to me. Just tell them ..." She gulped. "Tell them I'll be with them shortly."

He nodded against the top of her head. "I should tell you now that this opportunity is highly unlikely."

Xander couldn't see from his current angle, but Deryn was smiling. She'd already told him she wasn't ready to leave him and she'd meant it. Not until she knew where the two of them stood and, after her confession about Atticus, it was even more unclear now than before.

It wasn't long before Deryn's breathing grew shallow against his chest. She'd had a nightmare the night before about Atticus, but tonight her dreams were all about Xander. About what their lives could have been if they lived in a different world. One where there were no obstacles threatening to tear them apart, other than their own stubbornness.

At least, if a world like that were at all possible to obtain someday, they would appreciate each other more than if an easy life had just been handed to them. The silver lining.

Xander walked through the forest outside of Willow, the S.U.R.G.E.'s following silently behind the Guardians and guards, and erasing their footprints as they went. He stopped at the edge of the trees and stared into the small village. Everything appeared peaceful, and several old buildings were even overgrown with vines and flowers.

"Looks very threatening here, Veli," said Xander, glancing over his shoulder at his fellow Guardian.

"I doubt they would clean up the outside to live here. They're in hiding," he spat.

Xander rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say. Everyone scatter around the village, enter from different pathways and search the homes and shops. Do
not
wreak havoc, even if you find someone. That's not why we're here. Understand?"

Everyone grunted and nodded before dispersing along the edges of the forest. Xander and Luka were the only ones to stay where they were, waiting a few moments before heading into Willow.

The two of them walked forward through the village square and towards the residential streets. Willow was much larger than Redwood, and was located in the center of the forest instead of on the outskirts. The entire place was sheltered by large trees that grew together in a dome-shape, only small cracks of sun poking through the leaves. The majority of Outsiders had lived here at one time, but it had been abandoned several years before President Saevus declared war on the Outsiders by citizens who wanted to protect their children from recruitment, which was really just the president's fancy word for kidnapping.

Xander and Luka noticed Veli and Soren staying rather close to them. Of course.

Stopping in front of an old house, one of the largest in the area, Xander turned to Luka and said, "Stay out here and keep watch. I'll call if I need anything."

Luka nodded and took his stance. He was having fun squishing footprints into the damp earth and watching the closest S.U.R.G.E. zoom forward to make them disappear. Xander had to roll his eyes a bit, slightly disturbed that this was the man he had chosen as his ally.

Xander stepped inside, frowning as he looked around at the clean floors and freshly built wooden furniture. This place was definitely lived in. He felt a chill, even through all of his protective layers, as a breeze slipped in through the broken window. Something that couldn't have been fixed in order to keep up appearances on the outside.

There was a faint creak on the second floor. Xander's head jerked upwards. He wasn't sure if it was the sound of an old house settling or something more but, either way, it was worth investigating. He had hoped the silence meant that Del was successful in delivering his message, but occasionally there just wasn't enough time to inform those involved.

Xander would have liked to think that the Outsiders wouldn't hide in the most obvious of places, but he supposed that was the brilliance of it. He slowly ascended the stairs, his Element at the ready as he tried not to touch anything. Call him sentimental, but it just seemed wrong to taint this home with Guardian hands. He reached the top of the stairs, unsure of where to go until he heard another creak coming from behind a door at the end of the hall.

Xander headed towards the sound, suddenly feeling very nervous at the thought of dying here and never seeing Deryn again. Never seeing her roll her eyes or scrunch up her face when deep in thought. Or the way her beautiful sea-green irises lit up whenever she did something she was particularly proud of, like cooking a meal he really enjoyed instead of just pretending for her benefit. She always knew when he pretended.

Reaching the end of the hall, Xander pushed the door, which was already open a crack. He took a slow step inside, and then another. Looking around, he saw that he had entered a baby's nursery. Stopping his movements, he now heard a very clear whimper.

With a sigh, Xander walked a few more steps and lifted the floorboards just beside the crib. Three children were crouched inside, one just a baby and the obvious inhabitant of this room. The oldest, a girl, took a protective stance in front of the other two, a dull blade held out in front of her.

It was cute, really, but Xander had to roll his eyes a little. He reached down and pulled a dagger Deryn insisted he bring with him out of his boot. Before the child even had a moment to get over her fear and react, Xander had the dull blade out of her hand and the sharp one in it.

She looked at it curiously, and then up at him.

"Head down to the broken window in the front room. Once you see the coast is clear climb out of it and run as fast as you can to the forest. Hide until we're gone. Do not get lost, do not get caught. If someone else sees you I cannot protect you. Do you understand?"

The girl gulped and gave him a small nod. Xander stepped out of the way. She climbed out first, taking the lead with the knife while her little brother carried the baby. He couldn't have been more than six and was struggling to hold her.

"Wait," said Xander, looking around the room until he found a blanket. He tied it around the boy in such a way that it became a sling for the baby. It wasn't great but it would have to do.

Without a word, the three children disappeared from sight. Xander went to the window and watched for a moment. It wasn't long before they came into view, their eyes sharp as they ran as fast as their little legs would carry them. And then they made it, hidden in the safety of the trees without ever looking back.

Xander smiled to himself, only going back on alert when he heard another creak. These wooden floors really were terrible. In a swift motion, he whipped around and aimed his Element sharply at the door, not incredibly surprised to see Dakota doing the same right back at him, only he held a primitive gun. It had just one use, and it was deadly.

"I had a feeling you'd be here, Trigger." A feeling of dread. "Never too far from the action. Some say you have a death wish."

"And I see you're as charming as ever," said Dakota scornfully.

Xander smirked. "Naturally."

"Why are you and your Guardians here, Ruby?"

Xander shrugged. "Nothing really. Just following what I'd hoped was a false lead on a few Outsiders trying to take their old home back."

"You all have no business -"

"Spare me your tirade, Trigger. I didn't come here to fight with you."

"Clearly," said Dakota. "You didn't come back for Talon the other day."

"Why would I do that when his boyfriend was there protecting him?"

"You lied about being attacked."

"You weren't my mission."

"You just let those kids run out of here."

"I'm not in the business of harming children," said Xander. "All of that shit was before my time. You remember."

Dakota scowled at him. "Why are you -"

"You and I need to have a chat. Sans weapons." Xander lowered his and carefully put it in its holster. "Now, I'm trusting you not to strike an unarmed man."

"Pick it back up!" spat Dakota.

"Put yours down," said Xander, crossing his arms. "We won't start our chat until your weapon is away, and you will want to hear what I have to say."

Dakota sneered and pointed his gun sharper.

"It's about Deryn."

Dakota's eyes widened, his hand slackening slightly as he asked, "What about her?"

"Not until you -"

"Just tell me if she's alive, Ruby!"

Xander grinded his teeth. He really hated this. "Of course she is. Now, lower your weapon."

Dakota stared unsurely at Xander for a moment, the inner debate in his head quite visible in his expression. Despite all of that, he slowly began to lower his hand, eventually putting his gun away.

"Go on," he said in a shaky voice.

Xander cleared his throat. "I'm sure you've already guessed this by all of the rumors circulating and increased security in the city, but Deryn is no longer in the president's possession."

"She escaped?"

"Yes, that is what I'm getting at."

Dakota took a deep breath, clenching his fists as he cast his eyes to the floor. "Why are you telling me this? I have a hard time believing you have no ulterior motives."

"Oh, big word!"

Dakota's eyes shot back up and glared at him.

Xander smirked. "Sorry. Old habits, you know? But I have no ulterior motive. I am simply telling you to ease your woes."

"That's it?" asked Dakota, teeth now baring.

"Sure," said Xander with a shrug. "And I might know where she is."

Dakota tensed. "Where -"

"I'm not telling you that. If I did then we both know you and that brother of hers are just going to end up doing something hasty and, undoubtedly, stupid. She'll be back with you soon enough."

"I don't believe you," hissed Dakota.

"You don't have to. I am simply relaying a message."

"You're a fucking liar! Saevus has ordered you to infiltrate us, hasn't he? That's why you're pretending to help us!"