Destin's Hold (The Alliance #5)(74)

Several long, precious seconds passed before she felt his body stiffen. His eyes snapped open and he gazed back at her in confusion. His arms swept around her, allowing her to release her grip on him. She continued to breathe in and out in slow, steady breaths as they both kicked to the surface. Only when they broke through the surface did she release his nose and lips.

“My siren,” Destin whispered, gazing at her with a slightly dazed expression. “You can breathe under water.”

“Yes,” Sula answered, her face crumbling and her arms wrapping around his neck. “Don’t you ever scare me like that ever again!”

“I probably will, but it won’t be intentional. The other man?” Destin asked, pulling back enough to glance around.

“He fell, too. Dead for all I know,” Sula said, gripping his hand in hers. “Come.”

Together they swam back to shore. Cutter was waiting for them. Sula smiled in appreciation when the Trivator helped them both out of the water. She sat on the warm concrete while Destin lay on his back, staring up at the sky. High overhead, they could see the bright flashes as Jag’s forces fought against the remaining Drethulans in Earth’s orbit.

Destin turned his head to look at Cutter. He was standing, looking out over the water. Sula reached over and cupped Destin’s hand in hers, unwilling to release him. There had been enough death and destruction today. She wanted to hold onto the living.

“How the hell did you survive a direct hit to the chest?” Destin asked, sitting up.

“I grabbed a piece of the metal from a Drethulan pod and shoved it under my shirt,” Cutter replied, turning to look down at Destin and Sula. “I need to return to base.”

Destin nodded, rising to his feet and holding his hand out to Sula. She rose, shivering when a breeze blew across the water, chilling her even more. There was so much to do. Regret and sorrow filled her.

“I’m so sorry about Mason,” Sula whispered, tears filling her eyes. “I know he was a good friend to you.”

“He was a good man,” Destin agreed in a thick voice, staring out over the water. “Mary will be devastated. We’ve already lost so many.”

“I know,” Sula murmured, standing in silent memory of the missing women, the senseless deaths, and the difficult future ahead of them.

“Let’s go,” Cutter finally said, breaking through the silence. “We have a lot of work to do.”





24





A week later, a small group consisting of both aliens and humans gathered in the Northshore Gardens cemetery. Sula held Beth’s hand on one side while Trig stood at Beth’s other side. Sula was thankful for the arm Destin had wrapped around her waist.

This was the first human burial ceremony she had ever attended. Two caskets, side by side, were gently lowered into the ground while Beth quietly sang. The melody of the words wrapped around Sula and she could feel the tension gradually drain from Beth.

“Life is for the living,” Beth said, gazing down at the coffins. “I’m never alone because as long as I remember her, I know that she is here.” Beth lifted her left hand and touched her heart.

Sula stepped back when Beth released her hand and drew in a deep, calming breath. She gazed around at the men who had become her family over the years. Sula couldn’t help but notice that Beth had been avoiding looking at Trig. She wondered what that was about.

“First round is on Grandma, all the ones after that you guys are on your own,” Beth declared. “Let’s go party.”

Loud, whooping yells filled the air and everyone started talking at once. Sula watched in amazement as Beth laughed along with some of the tales being shared. Destin held her close as they walked out of the cemetery and down along the sidewalk. Once again, the city had come alive and the builders were back at work, repairing the damage and continuing with the existing plans.

“I like that your people celebrate the life of a loved one and not their death,” she murmured, reaching up to tuck a long strand of white hair back behind her ear.

“Oh, there will be plenty of tears still, but tonight is a celebration of Mary and Mason. I expect Beth will experience her first hangover before the night is over,” Destin replied, watching Richard, Troy, Jason, and Justin tease the young woman who had lost the last of her family, but would never be alone. His gaze followed the bemused Trivator trying to keep up with everything going on. Beth must have sensed Trig’s hesitation because she suddenly turned, wrapped her arms around his neck, and jumped up so he was forced to pick her up.

“That way, big guy! You are going to learn to party tonight!” Beth ordered, pointing back down the road to the tall tower that was still standing.

Sula giggled when she saw the pleased grin on Trig’s face. It was hard to believe, but she was beginning to understand some of the terms the humans used – including the one about having a big strong warrior wrapped around her little finger. At the moment, she was happy to have his arm wrapped around her waist and if the night went well, there would be even more.

She slowed to a stop when Destin fell behind the others. Puzzled, she looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. Her eyes briefly closed when he ran his palm against her cheek.

“I have a surprise for you,” Destin murmured.

“What?” she asked, tilting her head into his palm.