Different Worlds

No Going Back

DEVON'S POV

I was trying not to frown; grimace, anything that would give away what I was truly feeling. Try as I might, I knew that Jacek knew. He could tell with just one look that I was struggling to control my feelings. Who could blame me? Sienna was about to attempt what was probably going to be a suicide mission. Everybody looked to her as our Savior, but to me she was so much more. She was my reason for living - my only reason. Even though we all knew that she was more powerful than Netiri, she had yet to tap into that incredible power - it was something she was having trouble doing - and while she couldn't reach it she was at risk. She was about to confront Netiri when she wasn't ready. I could feel the bile in the back of my throat begin to rise as I tried not to contemplate how it could all possible end.

I looked up just in time to see Jacek throw me an anxious glance as he pulled Daniel away, but I ignored it. Jacek knew that I didn't like to display emotion - something that seemed to be getting harder and harder to do - since I had met Sienna.

"Are you okay?"

I looked down at Sienna's worried face and managed to force a tight smile on to mine.

"I'm fine. It's you that I'm not so sure about."

"What do you mean?"

I slowly lowered myself until I was sitting on the ground, and I pulled Sienna down with me.

"I don't think you realize what you're really up against."

"Yes, I do." She spoke so quietly, but I could detect some strong emotion burning behind her words. "I know what I'm up against. I've felt what I'm up against. The power I could feel radiating out of her on our last encounter was ...unimaginable." She paused to take a deep breath, and I waited as she collected her thoughts. "I never thought that dealing with the supernatural could be so ... exhausting."

"That's because humans ceased to believe in magic long ago." I spoke just as quietly. "To an ordinary human now, if they tried to keep up with the supernatural for any amount of time, it could be ... well ... very hazardous to their health." I looked deep into her eyes and the smile on my face became more genuine. "We're just lucky that you're no ordinary human."

Sienna smiled back, but the worry I could see in her expression didn't leave. I heaved an inaudible sigh as I took both of her hands in mine.

"I'm not going to let anything happen you, you know that, right?"

"It's not me that I'm worried about."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're kidding!"

"What?"

"You better not be worried about me!"

Her cute face creased into a frown. "Of course I am! I'd be insane not to be."

I shook my head, as if I were trying to shake some of the shock out of my system. I had always known that Sienna wasn't like other humans - she wasn't likeanyone I'd ever met before. But I hadn't realized that the real reason behind her worry was me.

"You never cease to amaze me."

She looked back at me in surprise.

"You don't need to worry about me - I'll be fine. All you have to do is concentrate on keeping yourself alive."

"And defeating Netiri, or did you forget that?" I gave a small half-smile as I saw the teasing grin on her's.

"No, I didn't forget that." The half-smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. I tightened my grip on her hands, as if I were scared to let her go. In truth, I was. I was scared that this was the last time I'd ever be able to hold her in my arms, the last time I'd ever be able to look her in the eyes and tell her that I loved her.

"It's going to be okay," she assured me softly. She pulled one hand out of mine and rested it on my cheek. "I'm going to break and spell and defeat Netiri, and Daniel is going to get through to Neeros, and everyone will be saved. There's nothing to worry about." She pushed a stray lock of hair away from my eyes and leaned forward. I met her halfway and locked my lips with her's. As I kissed her, I pulled her as close to me as I could, wishing that this moment would never end. Despite the passion in the kiss, I could feel the tension behind her's and it betrayed to me her true feelings about the upcoming event.

She pulled away first, but rested her forehead against mine. "See?" she whispered breathlessly. "There's nothing to worry about."

She thought she was doing a good job of covering up what she was feeling, but I could see the cracks in her charade. It only made me love her more. She was trying to hide her pain to lessen mine. I pulled her face to mine again and our lips met in another bittersweet kiss. I didn't care who was watching. Nothing else mattered except for the girl in my arms. She was the centre of my universe and everything else revolved around her.

When it finally felt like I was running out of air, I very reluctantly pulled away. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jacek trying to get my attention, but I didn't want to acknowledge him. Not yet.

"I remember all that Jarvis has taught me," Sienna finally said. "And he'll be there to help me, too." She let out a strangled-sounding laugh. "I kind of wish I hadn't been so hard on him. Not when I realize that everything he's taught me could mean the difference between victory and defeat."

"He's a good man," I murmured.

Sienna hung her head, and I could tell that she felt ashamed. "I know. I'll have to remember to be nicer to him when all of this is over."

The impatient glances I was getting from Jacek were becoming more pronounced, but I continued to ignore him. The moment I acknowledged him, we would be pulled into the preparations for the attack, and I didn't want to think about it.

"Uh ... I think Jacek's trying to get our attention," Sienna said.

"Don't look at him," I said quickly. "I want you all to myself for as long as possible." I knew I was being selfish, but I couldn't seem to help it. What made it worse was that I didn't want to.

"Well, he's coming over here."

I sat back with a groan and aimed my scowl up at my grandfather as he approached.

"I'm sorry, Devon," he apologized, and his sorrowful gaze was redirected to Sienna. "But it's time. Daniel and Jarvis are waiting for you."

I swiftly got to my feet and pulled Sienna up, one hand on the hilt of my knife that was on the side of my belt.

"Here." Jacek threw my sword in its sheath at me, which I easily caught. "I have a feeling you're going to need that."

I nodded grimly as I slung it on my back, all the while never letting go of Sienna's hand.

"Good luck," Jacek said, as he took Sienna's other hand and gave it a squeeze. "I have faith in you."

Sienna gave a wobbly smile. "I'll do my best."

Jacek turned to me and gave me a pat on my shoulder. "You just need to promise me one thing," he said sternly, and I looked up into his wrinkled face with caution. "You need to promise me that you'll come back from this alive."

I gave him my best cheeky grin. "I always do."

We turned and began walking towards Daniel and Jarvis, hand-in-hand. There was no going back now.