Page 186 of The Last Syphon

The guards were gaining ground.

Faster. Faster.

Eventually, Inara and Felix reached the door that would lead them out to the roof, but the guards were only steps behind them now.

Felix flung the door open, and Inara spun, sending out a powerful blast of her shield in a concussive burst. It rammed into the guards. With a scream, they went hurtling into the wall behind them.

Inara didn’t stop. Didn’t slow down. She spun back around and bolted through the open door. Wind smacked her face. Her hair whipped all around her. Cold air battered her skin. Fates. They were really far up.

Felix slammed the door shut. He plastered his back against it.

Loud, thunderous pounding came from the other side.

“Now what?” he asked, struggling to keep the door closed.

Now, well, Inara didn’t actually want to say because she knew how her best friend would react to her plan.

She closed her eyes and reached for the soul-link.

Fraener’s bright and powerful presence entered her mind. He was already aware of the plan and was almost upon them.

“Get me something to wedge the door closed.” Felix grunted.

Inara searched the rooftop and found some pipework attached to the building. She summoned her shield in the shape of her axe, cut it free, and then wedged it through the door handle and frame.

“It won’t hold them long. Eventually, they’re going to blast their way through,” Felix stated, stepping away, eyes watching the door shake. “Where the fuck is Chompers? I thought he would be waiting here for us.”

That would have been ideal.

The door flew off the hinges. Inara snapped a shield in the doorway.

A thrum beat down the soul-link. Fraener was almost here. She had to play this right. Fraener wouldn’t get here in time before those guards cut down her shield again. They only had one shot at this.

“Go check the ledge over there. Let me know when you can see Fraener. I’ll hold the guards back.”

Felix nodded and ran over, peering over. “Nothing yet.”

She already knew that. She blew out one quick breath. “Keep an eye on the skies.”

Fraener was close, but not close enough. Inara didn’t want to get into a battle right now. She had to save her magic for what lay ahead.

The guilt for what she was about to do was only momentary. She knew Felix hated heights, and there was no way he would agree to her plan if she told him.

So she took his choice away.

The guards cut through her shield.

Inara ran.

Felix turned, his eyes widening. “Inara, no!”

She rammed into him, taking him over the edge with her.

“AHHHHHHH! YOU WET DOORKNOB HAVING BITCH!” he screamed as they fell, his arms and legs flailing wildly.

Wind rushed up upon them, battering them from all sides. Felix continued to scream, and when he eventually ran out of breath, he took a big gulp of air in and screamed again.

Inara felt Fraener a moment before a big shadow fell over her. He plucked her right out of the sky with one clawed hand, and the sudden stop in descent made her grunt.