Page 127 of Sight of Fate

Unbeknown to most, there are quite a few tunnels around the city. We built them to enable us to move undetected and to help citizens escape when under siege. Leif and his wolves, as well as Lawson’s pack, will spread out, patrolling areas outside and inside Greystone, using the tunnels to quickly get from one place to another.

Max and one of his warlock brethren, Alistair, will use their magic to confuse the enemy and capture a couple for us to interrogate.

Ames will use his position in the sky to search for potential stragglers and signal changes in formation.

Macklin, Ronan, Alejandro, and me along with a myriad of other supes will meet the invading force on Margin Street. Raine and the little girl, Tala, will pretend to be the witch Evangeline and her daughter, Felicity, to draw the enemy in, then they will disappear into the tunnels.

Given Charli’s vision, the entire plan had to change, but this gives us pretty good coverage. The only thing I’m not sure of is where to put Andros and Charli.

Macklin stares down at the plan. “Not outside the city. Would be too difficult to get to them, and it would give the enemy an easy escape route if they discovered their whereabouts. We have to assume they’ve got the basics, thermal imaging and night goggles at a minimum. Probably augmented reality mapping too.”

“We only have three glass buildings in town where she can hide from the thermal imaging. Our place, which is out. I’m sure the address was shared with the enemy. Our office. Same concern. And the empty building across from our place,” I explain, tapping the building where Macklin likes to hang out on the roof.

“I don’t like it, but we don’t have a choice. Remind me after all this is over to build some new secure facilities in secret locations,” he concedes. “Where is she?”

“Taking a shower,” I reply, thinking of how she looked in Andros’ arms last night. “She showed him her scars.”

Macklin nods in satisfaction. “That’s a huge step forward.”

“Does that mean you’re going to stop walking around half naked?” I ask dryly.

He snorts. “Not a chance. Wouldn’t want you to steal all her attention.”

Andros walks in and raises an eyebrow. “All set?”

There’s a peace to him that I’ve never seen before, as if he’s content with his world. A remarkable change for someone who’s been stuck in the past for so long.

I walk him through everything, and there’s only a slight furrow between his brows. “Wish we had somewhere else to take her.”

“Same, but I don’t want her outside of town where we can’t get to her quickly. At least we’ll be close if you need us,” I say with a sigh. Turning around, I watch her peek into the living room. “There’s only us.”

She walks out wearing the robe I bought her. “Didn’t want to have to put clothes on yet.”

Macklin grumbles something about going back to bed, and I chuckle.

Charli’s everything I could have asked for in a mate and more than I imagined. Her resilience is astounding, and her self-confidence has come a long way. She saunters over to me and lifts her face so I can drop a kiss on those luscious pink lips of hers. Then she does the same to Macklin and Andros.

I follow her into the kitchen. “What are you in the mood for this morning?”

“Something rich and decadent. I’m thinking a white chocolate latte,” she says, tapping her finger on her chin. “Want one?”

Leaning against the counter, I nod and watch her utter delight in making fancy coffees. “I hear your Campfire Mocha was a hit yesterday morning. Never thought I’d see Ames drinking anything but black tar.”

She grins. “It was pretty funny.”

“You didn’t happen to see what time our enemy arrives, did you?”

She thinks about it for a minute. “No. It’s dark when the fire starts. What time does the sun set?”

“Around four-thirty p.m.”

“It’s going to be a long night,” she murmurs, pouring milk into our cups. “Where are you putting Andros and me? Here?”

“Across the street,” I say, pointing over my shoulder. “The building’s empty. Macklin had it built but hasn’t decided what to do with it yet. It’s one of the few places thermal imaging won’t be able to see into; it has multiple escape routes, including a tunnel under the building, and it’s in town.”

She blows out a breath. “Okay.” Handing me one mug, she picks up the other and settles on the couch. Her robe gapes open, and it’s a testament to the progress she’s made when she doesn’t automatically reach up and make sure her neck and scars are covered.

I take a sip of the drink and grimace. “Might be a bit too sweet for me.”