Chapter 63

Chapter

Sixty-Three

Fiona

A riana kept pace with me as we hurried down the corridor. Part of me didn’t know where we were going, but a bigger part of me didn’t care.

Vyk had taken Devon to the dungeons, which meant that I no longer had to think about the guy, or my past, or worry that he could be lurking somewhere waiting to corner me. I hadn’t realized how on edge I’d been since he’d arrived. My gut had told me from the beginning that I couldn’t trust him, even though I’d tried to ignore it. I’d told myself that I was overreacting and that he was a decent guy, the same BS that women always fed ourselves when we knew better.

Devon was not a good guy. I might have made a mistake by sleeping with him once, but there was no way that I was going to let that haunt me. And there was no way I was going to allow myself to feel guilty for misjudging a guy who’d done a damn good job of fooling everyone.

But not Vyk.

I grinned to myself as I remembered that Vyk had instantly disliked Devon. He hadn’t trusted him, and he’d told me from the start. Turns out the security chief’s battle instincts were right, although I suspected he disliked the captain for many reasons.

“Volt!” Relief filled Ariana’s voice as we entered the main hall, and she spotted her fellow flight instructor and boyfriend.

He was escorting another Drexian pilot and wore a stern expression. It softened when he saw Ariana, though. He inclined his head toward the other pilot. “Captain Gorman will not be needing his transport pilot anymore.”

“Not since he’s currently residing in the dungeons,” I told him.

Ariana glanced at me. “He was planning on taking Fi with him when he escaped and left the rest of us to face the Sythians on our own.”

The pilot’s mouth gaped, and his bronze skin paled a few shades. “I had no idea.”

“We do not hold you responsible for the actions of your passenger,” Volten said. “You will soon be able to redeem yourself by evacuating some of the academy residents.”

The Drexian threw back his shoulders. “I would be honored to assist.”

“Who’s evacuating?” Ariana asked, peering over her shoulders as more instructors hurried past us .

The news of the imminent attack had clearly spread quickly, and the corridors that had been quiet since the cadets had abandoned them were now buzzing with footsteps and worried conversation.

“I am sure that the admiral will want to send his wife out of the path of danger,” Volten said. “Then any females who—”

Ariana held up her hands to stop him. “I hope you aren’t about to suggest that all the women jump ship?”

He furrowed his brow and swept his gaze around him. “We are not on a ship—”

“It’s an expression,” I said, before Ariana could snap back. “I think what your girl is trying to say is that we’re not leaving.”

Ariana nodded vigorously, and Volten pressed his lips together. Before the two could launch into what I could only imagine was going to be an epic lover’s spat, a voice from above interrupted them.

“This female is also not leaving.”

We all peered up to see the admiral’s wife Noora descending the wide, central staircase with her Vexling attendant by her side. Reina’s vertical, blue hair jiggled as she walked, and she wrung her spindly fingers in front of her.

Noora’s dark hair was pulled up high in a tight bun, but instead of the flowing, gossamer gowns she usually favored, she was wearing form-fitting, buff-colored pants and a zip-up jacket. She looked more like a fighter pilot than a tribute bride. Reina still sported a vividly colored, starburst-print dress that reached her knees and left plenty of long, thin legs encased in hot pink tights .

“You are not evacuating?” Volten asked, as the pair reached the bottom of the stairs and walked toward us.

Noora smiled at him as if the academy was not in grave danger. “Not if Zoran stays, and you know as well as I do that a Drexian would never abandon his post.”

Reina bobbed her head up and down. “We are part of the Drexian Academy, and we are staying.”

Volten rubbed a hand across his forehead, and I suspected that he was stifling a groan. “Does the admiral know of your decision?”

Noora twitched one shoulder. “He was not surprised.”

“I have heard that human females can be very stubborn,” the pilot said, which garnered him pointed looks from all the women.

Volten quickly turned to the pilot. “If there is no need for evacuation, then we can use you in the coming battle.”

The Drexian’s chest puffed out even farther. “I welcome the chance to defend Drex and the academy.”

“Do we have any idea how close this swarm is or its size?” I asked, feeling an overwhelming need to assess the situation. If the swarm hit Drex, it would take out the academy and all the occupants of the Drexian home world. I knew the planet had its own defenses and many warriors, but the potential loss of life made bile tease the back of my throat.

Noora tipped her head up. “You should ask Zoran. He is receiving all the information from High Command that was withheld from him. I am sure he would welcome input from skilled battle strategists.” Then she scanned our group. “Is Commander Vyk not with you?”

“He escorted the human traitor to the dungeons,” Ariana said with a grin. “Actually, dragged is a better word for it.”

Reina’s large eyes popped open wider. “Oh, dear. Did the captain have another accident?”

I wiggled my fingers, which were still a bit sore. “He had a well-deserved run-in with my fist.”

Noora winked at me. “That must have been a nice break for Vyk’s hand.”

Volten jerked a thumb toward the exit to the shipyard and pinned Ariana with a look. “We should head to the fighter jets and make sure they’re ready.”

I gave Ariana a quick hug. “I’m going to meet with Zoran. Stay safe.”

“Always.” Ariana grinned at me, as she took Volten’s outstretched hand.

I felt a pang of longing that Vyk wasn’t near. I might not know exactly where I stood with him, but his presence made me feel secure and protected. It was a feeling I’d never known I would even tolerate, much less desire, but I did.

The pilots ran off in one direction, and I looked toward the stairs.

“Shall we?” The deep, rumbling voice from behind me sent a shiver down my back.

I didn’t need to turn to know it was Vyk as warmth suffused my body and heated roiled in my core. I reached for his hand, and it enveloped mine as he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Let’s do it.”

Noora and Reina gave me knowing smiles as they stepped aside for us to pass. Then the sirens began to wail.