Page 75 of Sway’s Peace (Delivery Service #2)

Fixing those had been among the first big purchases Tanin made when they escaped. Vytln maintained the weapon systems with the same fervent devotion he gave to the life support – in a way, they were just as important.

So, when the Humility breached the atmosphere – the old thing no doubt struggling under the weight of actual gravity – the weapons fired without a single issue. They were old-fashioned, firing heavy projectiles. They weren’t as precise as laser fire, but they were even more destructive.

Trove would be at the guns. His aim was impeccable. He was fast and precise. The only thing he needed was a target.

While the Song went about their day, peaceful and oblivious, Sway and Loyalty snuck out of the inn and went through the city.

He didn’t have much to work with, but he didn’t need much.

Creating light beacons was a very simple task.

It honestly took longer to get to the targets so he could mark them.

But Loyalty’s sense of smell made it easy to avoid people.

Sway didn’t choose targets at random. Losing an obelisk wouldn’t do much damage.

At least a third of the obelisks would have to be destroyed for any effects to be noticed, but seeing one crash down would create a lot of panic.

Almost as much as setting a big fire, and there was already a convenient bonfire that would be easy to light in the event courtyard.

The Song reacted exactly as Sway anticipated.

They screamed. They ran. They panicked. They escaped, en masse, towards the ships to escape what was, no doubt, a terrifying attack.

They couldn’t fight back, so fleeing was the only option left.

That would leave the buildings empty. So, when the beacons atop them began shining, he knew no one would be left inside.

Sway and Loyalty ran through the streets as Trove, inside the Humility, shot and destroyed the beacons that were lighting up on a timer. Each location carefully chosen to damage as much as possible but kill no one.

He was going to let them live. But that was all.

As the Humility was destroying things, Sway was looking, Loyalty scenting. The inn was close to the small port, so they didn’t have to go far to start their search. Being that close, Loyalty was able to get a scent on everyone and confirm that Grace wasn’t among those escaping in the first wave.

If Veesway wasn’t intelligent enough to hide her somewhere random and well guarded, then Sway imagined he’d take her to the most obvious place. The place he felt most powerful, most untouchable, that he no doubt assumed was impenetrable.

Sway and Loyalty ran up the main street towards headquarters.

Trove was having a great time on the ship.

He was firing on the Song directly now. Not aiming for any of the people, but instead for the roofs of buildings, open streets, empty spaces.

Sway said he didn’t have to only shoot at the beacons, as long as he was sure they weren’t killing a bunch of people.

Not because he cared about any of these civilians. Only because it would be harder to stay out of trouble later if they started killing indiscriminately. Tanin had his rules for a reason, after all. And they were good ones.

But it wouldn’t be clear what they were doing to those in the Song. To all of them trapped inside the walls, it seemed like a real attack. And their fear did the rest.

Technically, Sway was allowed to do anything within reason to rescue his kidnapped mate.

But Grace wasn’t his mate yet. It could also be argued that she wasn’t kidnapped if she was arrested.

They were definitely going to have to answer questions later.

Better to skirt just on this side of illegal and not add a bunch of murders to their list of crimes.

Sway didn’t care if the entire Song went up in flames, but he would not commit a crime that would risk their current life.

Their presence away from the Rik-Vane was highly conditional on Captain Ikvar’s – the peacekeeper that knew of them – good will.

Tanin would be able to talk himself out of a little mini siege and invasion, he was sure, but not blatant and rampant genocide.

But the farasie here didn’t know that. They couldn’t see what Trove was doing.

All they knew was that they were under fire, there were loud blasts from the laser cannons, and that there was rubble and debris and fire.

They were panicking, getting more frantic with each shot.

Too much to notice that the only people being hurt were the ones caught in the frenzy.

“Your friends really know how to make an entrance,” Loyalty laughed, keeping up with him as they ran directly towards headquarters.

He was looking at the city wall as another obelisk was toppled after a beacon went off.

He was going to let the people of the Song live, but he was going to take everything else away from them.

Sway wanted all of them gone. No more obelisks, no more modulated gravity.

“We’re not non-violent,” Sway said, oddly proud of his crew. Amused by the fun Trove was having shooting the Song to pieces. He shot into the bay at one point, just for the dramatic explosion of sand and water. It looked impressive, even if it did nothing at all. “We’re just waiting for an excuse.”

And here came one now. The domini mercenaries hired to guard the Song, of course, weren’t running and panicking. They might even recognize that Trove wasn’t shooting to kill. They wouldn’t turn and retreat.

They charged at Sway and Loyalty the moment they caught sight of them. The crowd was thinning as more and more people escaped, but there were still too many to fire into. Meaning it was Sway and Loyalty’s advantage when they clashed.

Sway didn’t think of trying not to hurt anyone. He wasn’t worried about breaking his commitment to pacifism. He fought like he was back on Rik-Vane.

Ruthless. Unconcerned. Determined.

Bones broke under his heels. Screams of pain rose at his blows. Blood stained his feathers with each swipe of his metallic claws, but he didn’t actually care. It was annoying, not an actual deterrent. And right now, it wasn’t even that.

“I caught her scent!” Loyalty said, throwing away the domini who’s arm he just shattered with his teeth, leaving the male a crying, shuddering mess on the ground. “There!”

He pointed ahead to the headquarters, and there she was.

She was standing at the top of the now still stairs. They had stopped moving, a safety feature no doubt since the city was under attack. She was wearing a farasie style dress, her hair unbound and free, looking up at the Humility as it continued to rain fire upon them.

She was okay.

“I got this!” Loyalty said, smacking his arm. “Go get her so we can get out of here.”

Sway gave him a single nod of thanks before running to the stairs. He was about halfway up, opening his mouth to call out to her, when suddenly Veesway was there. Running at Grace, he grabbed her arm and yanked her back, dragging her out of sight.

Sway’s crest was up at full height. Anger burning icy cold in his veins.

Quiet a bold male he was to just put his hands on Sway’s female. Though, he supposed, it was his own fault. He’d given him no reason to be afraid.

For so long, Sway had been chasing the memories of his former life. Trying to reclaim his pacifism, believing that would bring him some measure of peace.

When, all along, he should have been emulating Tanin.

His captain would never have allowed anyone to lay their hands on his mate.

And if they did so, he would probably remove their hands.

He wouldn’t do it with a great deal of fiery anger either.

Just the calm confidence of a male that did not make threats. He only meted out consequences.

Sway crested the top of the steps, ready to chase his female down.

But it was unnecessary. In the short time she had been out of his sight, she’d managed to break herself free of Veesway’s grasp.

She was standing more than a few steps way from him, hands in tight fists down at her side, glaring at him with the bravery of a female unafraid of her foe.

“Female,” Veesway was saying as Sway slowed to a walk. “I am not-”

His father caught sight of him then. His eyes widened. And it was tempting to chase him down immediately and punish him for the crime of taking Grace away.

But that’s not where Sway went first. He had to feel her in his arms. He had to hold her again and know that she was safe.

Most importantly, she needed to know that she was safe.

His arm went around her belly, trapping her arm to her side. His other hand, quite without thinking, wrapped up and around and closed around her neck. He didn’t squeeze. His claws didn’t prick. He didn’t actually want to choke her. But his grip was firm as he pulled her back against his chest.

“Grace,” he breathed, right in her ear, the sound a rough melody deep in his throat.

Her breath caught as she leaned back against him. He didn’t even think she realized she did it. Her body just relaxed against his. As she should.

“Sway,” she breathed, her lip trembling in relief.

He kissed the side of her head. Nuzzling her gently. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” she mumbled, still stunned.

“Good.” He kissed her temple once more before focusing past her, the tender expression melting into a cold glare as he looked upon at his father.

“You,” Veesway hissed, some of his crest feathers broken and dangling around his face. “How dare you come back here?”

“One moment, Grace,” Sway said, his grip on her tightening fractionally. “I need to deal with this, then we can go.”

“Are you okay?” She asked, her voice soft and concerned.

She was so sweet. Too good for a male like him.

But it would also take a better male than him to give her up.

“I’m fine,” he promised, releasing his grip and stepping aside so he could walk past. His father glared at him but made no moves – to run, fight, or defend.