Page 76 of Red Marked

“All of it. The bombing and the coolant rupture finding. The list of the dead. It’s there, Star, and exactly like you said. I read your obituary.”

I swallow.

That’s tough to hear. I feel so sorry for my family.

“Sit,” he says. “Let’s talk for a few minutes.”

Oh boy.

Here we go.

I search his face for a hint of what’s coming and get nothing.

“Give me one second.” I go over to the stove and switch off the burner under the sauce, then the one under the pasta water. I don’t want to be in the middle of this and smell it burning. I put the lids on, wipe my hands on the dishtowel, and come back to perch on the edge of the sofa.

Flint pulls a chair out from the table and turns it to face me. He sits with his elbows on his knees.

“I looked into Halleron too. The male who didn’t end up killing all of you.”

I clasp my hands between my legs to keep them from shaking.

“You should know that he’s dead.”

“What?” My eyes go wide.

That’s the last thing I expected to hear.

“He died less than a week after the bombing. The official finding on that one is also a freak accident.”

I gasp. “Another freak accident? What are the chances of that?”

“Very low.” Flint holds my eyes. “A dragon fell out of the sky onto Halleron’s vehicle. He was killed instantly. The dragon who fell sustained minor injuries, was hospitalized, and was cleared of all wrongdoing.”

“Oh wow. Whew! So you believe me?” My eyes fly to him.

“I do.”

I push out a breath, feeling something ease inside me.

“You mentioned a plan,” I say. “One that was better than mine.”

“Any kind of plan is better than yours.” He smiles, slow, and it lights up his face. My tummy does this weird flip, and I’m not sure if it’s nerves or something else.

Nerves, I decide.

“I’m listening.”

“I have a position open on my team. I told Pryce I’m interviewing three candidates in Mistveil during my days off.” He leans in. “Here’s the plan. I smuggle you out of here and over the heavily patrolled jungle boundary into Mistveil City. Magma gets you a fake ID. I interview you, and I hire you.”

My mouth falls open.

“I do happen to think you qualify.” He rubs his chin, the stubble catching. “You know this jungle well. You know the ferals. How they move, how they hunt, what they’re scared of. You can think on your feet, and you can kill if you have to.”

I nod. My heart is racing so fast I can feel it in my throat.

“While we’re in Mistveil City, we look into Halleron and this accident of his. Who he worked for. Who signed off on the investigation. Who benefited. All of it.”

I nod again. Something warm and reckless is opening up inside me, and I don’t trust it, and I can’t seem to stop it either.