Free Saven Defiance (The Saven Series Book 4) by Siobhan Davis Page B

rally en route, and we’ll meet back at the rendezvous point. Axton has this.” There’s a brief pause. “You do, right?”
    “I’m not even dignifying that with a reply,” Ax hisses derisively.
    “You just did,” Haydn retorts.
    “Can we focus, please,” Logan interjects. “We need to get Sadie to safety.”
    “I said, I’ve got this,” Ax repeats, a note of frustration creeping into his voice.
    I test my ankles on the ground as they are freed. Something hard slams into the cross at my back and I jerk forward. Sounds of wrestling accost my ears. There’s a heavy thud, and then Ax is in front of me again, clearing the mass of hair off my face. I inhale sharply as I look into a strangely familiar yet unfamiliar face.
    Ax has cut his hair short and dyed it jet-black. Silky waves dip over his forehead, part concealing eerie ocean-blue eyes. His hair is shorn tight at the sides. He looks freakishly like Logan. The thought that he might have done this deliberately creeps me out. Does he think it’ll be easier to fall back into his arms if he looks like his rival? “What’s with the makeover?” I ask as he works to free the band from my neck.
    He doesn’t look at me as he replies. “I couldn’t sneak into Saven looking like I did. I might as well have worn a flashing sign above my head, so Fern and Neve helped me change my hair and provided contacts.”
    I’m not sure how turning him into a near replica of Logan was any safer, but I keep those thoughts to myself.
    Ax removes the band from around my neck, and I exhale gratefully. He finally looks at me as his fingers work to release my wrists. “What happened to your arms?”
    “They tried to remove the cuff bands. It wasn’t very successful,” I deadpan.
    He stills, eyes probing mine. “I can’t believe you let yourself be captured. This all could’ve been avoided if you’d listened to me in the first place.”
    “Hey, still trapped here.” I motion toward my wrist. “Can you save the lecture for later?”
    He pinches his lips as he removes the restraints around my wrists without a word. I sag forward into his arms. “If you ever do anything li—”
    “Can you just shut up and get her out of here. Like right now,” Logan demands.
    Ax props me up as he darts a glance over his shoulder. A group of the Royal Guard is storming this way through the center of the wild crowd. Men and women run in all directions as they attempt to escape. Shots are fired over their heads as guards manning the top of the auditorium exchange crossfire with a different group of guards across the way. A few shots are volleyed at the throng of guards making a beeline for us, and they disperse into the crowd for cover. That has to buy us some time.
    I quickly scan the scene behind me. Epic fighting is going on all around us as guards brawl up and down the stage. The Saven appear to have turned on one another, as factions loyal to Dante battle it out with Logan’s supporters.
    Dante is nowhere in sight. Typical. Most likely, he was escorted to safety the minute combat broke out.
    “Are you getting her out of here or what?” Logan glares impatiently at Ax as Haydn works to free the last of his binds. I crave Logan’s comforting warmth. I long to fling myself into his arms and hold him close, to inhale his essence and cherish his wholeness. Perhaps I could sneak a greedy kiss or two. But I don’t do any of those things. There’s no sense in riling Ax.
    “Come on, babe.” Ax secures a long hooded black cloak around my torso and yanks it up over my head. Taking my hand, he coolly returns Logan’s dominant glare. “Let’s go.” He pulls the hood of his own cloak up over his hair, shielding his face.
    “If anything happens to her—”
    “Nothing will happen to her.” Ax huffs in exasperation. “I’ll keep her safe.” He pitches a serious look at Logan. “I’d die before I’d let anything happen to Sadie.” They enter into a silent game of face-poker while the