Christine Feehan - Air Bound

They’re approaching it now, Airiana said, feeling the displacement of air near the pond’s end. They’re close to the small group of flowering trees we planted last year.

Thomas, stay on high ground, Rikki advised. Judith, remember Levi, Thomas and Max are out there when you and Blythe give us a boost. Don’t be heavy-handed.

I’ll do my best. You know when we’re all working together it can be hard. Blythe will need to keep us toned down.

Airiana glanced up at the sky. Clouds drifted slowly above them, but with a little bit of heat she managed to pull water from every source into the clouds. Rikki lifted her hands, her fingers tapping into the air as if she might be tapping the keys of a typewriter. Airiana moved behind her, back to back, her own hands going up. The wind picked up, rushing toward the back of the property, back toward the pond.

Maxim was shocked at the authority in Rikki’s voice. She was captain of her boat and she took it seriously. Apparently she was captain when she decided to wield her water talent as well. From his vantage point on the roof of Airiana’s house, he could see Thomas crouched near a small grove of trees, waiting to do his part.

The wind hit the surface of the water, dipped low, and three geysers shot into the air, spinning fast, dancing across the pond, rising higher and higher. The twisters jumped from the pond to land, spinning madly, picking up debris along the way as they moved across the land now.

The sight was a little disconcerting, even though Maxim knew what the women, as elements, were capable of. The twisters looked malevolent—alive—and bent on destruction. They raced toward the five intruders in silence while more formed in the water, springing up like mad, whirling soldiers.

Dozens more leapt from the surface of the water, spinning madly, bending toward the mercenaries as the group approached the far side of the pond. In order to get to Airiana’s home they would have to walk close to the spinning tops of water.

“What the hell?” the leader snapped, holding his fist up to still everyone’s approach.

Airiana, where are the others coming in? Levi demanded.

Airiana turned her attention from providing the propulsion of wind to the waterspouts back to the map of the farm, checking for displacement. Another group of five is coming in from the main entrance. They’re about halfway past Rikki’s house heading to Judith’s.

I’ll take them, Levi said . And the last group?

They’re dropping down from above, right into the clearing where the gazebo is. Right in front of us. Max, are you under cover, they should be able to see you.

The men dropping on ropes from the helicopter were too close to the house and the hidden children. It was all well and good to give young Benito a gun, but he had no business actually shooting anyone. Airiana glanced toward the house, afraid for Max, afraid for the children.

I’ve got them, Maxim said, his voice as always calm and confident. They’re in the helicopter, Airiana. Bring in the wind and slam it hard into their left side. Hard enough to spin them if you can. You know they won’t be able to see me. I’m the shadow man. I’d do it myself, but I’ll need to be ready to take them out from here.

Don’t get overconfident, Levi said.

Maxim laughed softly. You take care of your little band of mercs and I’ll take care of mine, baby brother. Lissa, are you ready? When Airiana brings in the wind, give me some fire, breathe it right through the helicopter.

Can you do that? Airiana asked, startled. She’d never really considered what Lissa could or couldn’t do with fire.

Of course. It’s all about energy and igniting the gasses in the air, Lissa replied.

Lexi, I’ll need you to keep the men near Judith’s occupied while I get into position to pick them off, Levi said, ignoring Maxim.

No problem, Levi. Lexi slipped her palms about an inch beneath the soil, listening intently. I’ve got them. Stay above the little dip Judith has near her arbor. Tell me when you’re clear. Blythe, Rikki needs Judith to boost her while Airiana is directing the wind. Can you give me a little extra power?

Blythe never spoke of her gifts. She was a Drake, not an element, but she had power, and they suspected it had to do with unifying all of their gifts, not in the same way as Judith did, but in a much more subtle way. She soothed them all and yet could empower them as well. She seemed to be a melting pot of several gifts.

I’ll do my best, Lexi, Blythe promised.

Lexi pulled her hands from the soil, doubled them into two tight fists and angled her punch toward Judith’s home, mapping out the path of the tremor in her mind. She hit the ground hard, a one-two punch that sent a small ripple through the earth. As it moved toward the group of five men, the ripple spread and picked up speed. It shook the earth beneath the mercenaries, knocking them off their feet.

One fell to the right of the group, almost under Levi’s nose. The man rolled, clutching his automatic weapon as if that would save him. Before he could come back up on his feet, Levi was on him, hooking him around the neck and snapping it fast, leaving him where he lay and scooting away. One of five, he reported.

Airiana concentrated on the helicopter. Maxim had said to bring the wind in hard from the left, to slam it into the stealthy helicopter. She took a deep breath and called the wind to her. She felt the rapid buildup of power—of energy—suddenly aware of the roiling gasses in the air around the helicopter. Sparks crackled around the rotor blade and body of the craft.

The wind slapped at the helicopter, swatting it like a bug, nearly knocking it from the sky. At the same time, the helicopter rocked wildly from side to side, the buildup of electricity in the air tangible. The sparks surrounding the craft and the ropes burst into flames. The wind fanned the flames so that the helicopter appeared to be a ball of orange-red in the sky. The ropes caught fire.

Maxim rolled from the low side of the roof, directly over the spot where the first of the team had landed after fast-roping down as the rope above him burst into flames. Maxim waited until the man began to rise cautiously and dropped directly on him, wrapping his legs tightly around the man’s neck, driving him back to the ground as he snapped his neck. Immediately he rolled into the brush and scooted forward toward the next target he had marked.

Above his head the helicopter spun like a top, throwing one of the men to the ground while the other three slid down their ropes fast to give the pilot time to try to find a place to land the burning craft.

Hit him again with the wind, Airiana, drive him out to sea, Maxim commanded as he came up behind his next mark, his knife in hand. He drove the blade deep, one hand over the merc’s mouth to keep him silent until the life drained out of him. Two down. They won’t get into the house, Airiana, I promise you that. Lissa, can you make your way around toward me?

Lissa was much smaller than he was, so slight she barely made a shadow on the ground. She was dressed in dark clothing and had tightly braided her hair. Maxim had watched her closely during their numerous training periods and she had skills when it came to combat. She was absolutely calm in any situation he or one of his brothers had thrown at her.

I’m making my way toward you now, coming in from the south. Are you in position to take the man crouched in the flower bed? Lissa asked.

I’m in front of him. There’s no way to get on him without being seen. I can’t risk the gunfire yet, it would alert the other teams, Maxim said.