Page 320 of Black Reign

Sabine's fingers lock around mine.

The jet accelerates.

She mutters something extremely French beneath her breath.

I look at her.

“Was that directed at me?”

“At aviation.”

The nose lifts.

Her eyes close.

I bring our joined hands onto my thigh and cover hers with my other one.

For several seconds, she doesn't move.

Then the climb smooths.

Her eyes open carefully.

Clouds fill the windows.

Sabine stares.

Her grip loosens.

“Oh.”

One word.

Quiet.

Wonder replaces fear so quickly it makes my chest ache.

She leans closer to the window.

London disappears beneath cloud.

Sunlight breaks above us.

She smiles.

Not Vesper's smirk.

Sabine's smile.

Open.

Almost young.

I have the ridiculous urge to preserve it somewhere no database can touch.

She catches me looking.

“What?”