Whispers of the Diamond: A Romance of Memory and Desire

Chapter 30 - Terra

"You're defecting?" I asked, my voice probably sounding really confused at his words.

"No, I'm protecting the woman I love," he shrugged, as if it were simply a truth. I knew Alex would protect me, but the lengths he would go to never ceased to amaze me.

I lay against him, my leg thrown over him, my hips pressed up against him. I loved being this close; we felt, now, like two people but one complete soul. I always loved that about us—no matter how dark the world, Alex had a way of making my world seem so much brighter.

The attack in the heart of London North would be no easy task. We were heading into the belly of the beast here in England. Abigail would provide us with credentials to pass through the military zones. Our target was to take control of the main server room in London North. From there, we could lock down the entire building, making London North impenetrable. Our plan was then to negotiate with the TG for a less brutal world.

In truth, we'd probably achieve nothing but pissing them off, but if they knew they were vulnerable and we had the power to turn their own, maybe they'd be willing to negotiate. The plan hinged on Alex, and right now, he was on our side—or rather, my side—but it would do. Ever the hero, that was my Alex.

"So, what are you authorised to give us?" I asked softly, shifting my attention back to the mission. Even with his teasing, this was still eerily familiar to me—sleep with them, then get what I needed.

"Nothing," he replied. My heart skipped a beat. "But that assumes I do as I'm told."

"What do you mean?" I could never figure him out. Was he implying he'd help even after being told not to? His loyalty to me was more driven and more focused than I ever thought possible.

"I can jump your movement by a few decades, maybe level the playing field a little, but I can't do it from here. It has to be from inside." My heart froze. He wanted HQ. Was this the TG's plan? Had he played me? My brain swirled with panic as I pulled away and sat up.

"You used me..." I felt my voice break.

Alex sat slowly in response, trying to take my hand, but I yanked it away. I couldn't believe how stupid I'd been. As I pulled my hand away I saw the shift in his eyes, he knew this irrational side of me, and as quickly as my anger flooded through.

"Terra, I can't help from here. What you need has to be done directly. You're going up against the most secure facility in the world. This can't be some luck job—it has to be done right." I heard his words and realised what he meant. I sighed and settled back against him, the tears falling quickly. I hated how easily he could disarm me and how quickly I'd jumped to the wrong conclusion—years of being paranoid and hating myself and what I'd become.

I let the emotions flood from me, feeling the tears as they burned my cheeks—another thing Alex had taught me: not to keep it all inside. Over the last few years, though, I had always stayed strong, but keeping control had taken its toll. In truth I didn't know if I could do this, if I could let him risk himself for me.

"It's... they're not going to be happy if I walk a Hunter in the front door, Alex. That's a huge breach of security and protocol, surely you get that?" I said softly, my body trembling now. For the first time in his presence, I was afraid—afraid of what he would do. His eyes met mine as he took my hands, and I felt that familiar charge run through me.

"Terra, I've got you—yesterday, tomorrow, forever. You have to trust that I know what I'm doing. Sure, they won't be happy until they hear what I'm offering."

"And what are you offering us, Alex? What would make me risk them killing you on sight?" I asked.

"Everything I have—access to the TG's network, Gen Five CT tech, take your pick. If it means protecting you," he replied, so calm as he said it. It was as if none of this frightened him, but I can tell you, it was terrifying me. If the TG caught him, they would execute him for treason.

"Why?" was all I managed in reply.

"Because I love you, Terra, and you can't do this without the information I have." His words were so calm, so sure of himself. I hated that, and yet I admired it all the same. He was the strongest person I had ever known. But there was also vulnerability in him—Alex was never afraid of who he was, and even now, I could see that was still true.

I watched him for a few minutes—his calm demeanour. Was it from his training as a Hunter? Years of isolation from people? No, he had always been like this, even in the midst of a crisis, and it had given him quite the advantage when dealing with me. I could be quite volatile, quick to temper, as he would say. The truth was, instead of feeling things in small doses, I felt everything all at once, and honestly, it was horrid. Though, over the years, I'd gotten better at controlling it.

Finally, I crawled back to him, melting into a deep, passionate kiss. If he wanted to meet the resistance, then that's what we would do. I told Alice he'd defect, and he as good as had—close enough, and the rest would have to do. I trusted Alex, and he trusted me. If we had that, then together we could get through anything. We crawled into bed, and finally, sleep took us both.