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Chapter One
She looked at the bomb and the man in custody and cursed. They were too close together considering that the countdown hadn’t ceased. She rode her spectral horse toward the bomb, leaned over, picked it up, then galloped to the edge of the crevasse and hurled the bomb into the darkness below.
She turned and rode as fast as she could, catching the criminal and hauling him over the saddle as she tried to outrun the—
Boom!
Xeva felt the blast wave hit her as the man across her thighs grinned and disappeared. She flew end over end, and her head snapped around inside her armour. She fell to the ground, and her body armour cushioned the impact as she tumbled down the hill.
Her vision was flaring black and crimson as she let her armour fade, and she fought for air while her com called for help.
Dark Resonance loomed over her. His eyes widened, and he muttered, “Fuck! Twenty-one, stay with me.”
She wanted to speak but coughed blood and saw the approach of team members and agents behind him.
He looked at her and gripped her hand, sending pain through her. He let her go and cursed as he looked skyward. “I will never forgive you if you don’t survive this, Twenty-one.”
Her vision was red, and she didn’t know who was talking to her. Her head hurt. Her body hurt. She was broken, and someone was yelling at her.
Remark was calling out, and she coughed more blood. He checked her com and gasped. “Horseman?”
She couldn’t see, but they got a back board under her and carried her for treatment. She passed out before they hit the city.
Xeva pressed a hand to her forehead and looked around. She wasn’t in Aksalla anymore. She could hear the rushing of waves, and the scent of sun-kissed sand was everywhere.
Her head ached, and there was light everywhere. She sat up and checked her com. It was deactivated for communication. It only recorded vital signs.
A young woman came in and gasped. “Miss, you shouldn’t be moving around. Lie still.”
“No, thanks. My headaches generally ease up when I can walk.” She looked down and wrapped the white sheet around her. Her limbs felt a little loose and floppy as she tried to get off the bed, but they didn’t work. Her legs were jerky, and only when she willed her leg to move it skittered sideways that she caught on. “Oh, fuck.”
She focused and tried again. Less movement the second time. “Oh, no.”
“Miss. Please. Let me help you back into bed. I will prop you up, and Jeron will be here shortly.”
“What happened?”
“He will explain it.” The woman got on the bed and helped move Xeva back into place.”
“Great. Who is Jeron?”
The woman looked at her in surprise and then flicked her gaze toward Xeva’s head. “Oh, dear. He will remind you. He’s been very worried.”
“Okay. Um, who are you?” Xeva sat against the pillows that were propping her up.
“Oh, I am Leaf. I am Jeron’s sister. I am also in nursing school, so he asked if I could help you during my break.” Leaf smiled. “The way he talks about you, it is great that I can meet you now, even if the circumstances suck.”
Xeva rubbed her forehead. “Right.”
“Oh, would you like something to drink? You can only have sips of water until the doc gives you the okay.”
“I will lick the dew off a leaf right now.” She looked at the young woman. “No offense.”
Leaf had black hair with green highlights and beautiful golden eyes. She moved gracefully around the room as she found the glass and the water pitcher.
Leaf brought the water over and held a straw to her lips. “Just a few sips.”
Xeva’s lips closed around the straw, and she could feel the inside of her mouth hydrating. After her first sip, she took a second and rolled the water around. She swallowed slowly and released the straw. “Thank you. I need to call my sister.”
