Page 13

Quite the Ride

“Didn’t you mention me getting a company vehicle?” I asked on the drive to work.

Julian glanced at me sidelong as he hugged the curve of the road leading past the woods and onto the base.

“Yes. I looked into the matter myself yesterday and found it caught up in quite a bit of red tape.”

That startled me, so I sat up straighter in the leather seat and sucked in a breath. “How so?”

“The General appears to have put a hold on it.”

Blowing out a lungful of air but unsuccessful at relieving the building anger, I clenched my fists at my sides.

“I will speak to him,” Julian assured me.

“No. I will,” I asserted. The man wanted to keep me tied down as close to the base as possible, and I still wasn’t sure if I trusted him. I’d promised to play along, though, even making the doctor’s appointment he’d requested of me. Hell, he’d actually threatened to kick Mama and Zoe off the island and into the clutches of the other dangerous groups searching for me if I didn’t cooperate.

“I don’t mind driving you,” Julian said, reclaiming my attention.

“But I need some alone time at some point,” I blurted out.

Guilt immediately grabbed hold of me when he flinched. He tried to pretend it hadn’t happened, but I’d seen it. This wasn’t his fault.

“I’m a psychic, Julian,” I said, reaching out to squeeze his arm. “It can get overwhelming being around other people. This is the most interaction I’ve had with more than a few in a long time. So please don’t take it personally, but I think I’ll walk home tonight.”

Silence fell as Julian pulled onto the tarmac and parked in front of the enormous glass building. I was about to exit when he spoke.

“I’d rather drive you. You aren’t familiar with the woods, especially at night.”

I bit my cheek. True, I’d had less than favorable experiences in these woods thus far between the fairy circle and the man named Vlad who’d tried to kill us. But he was dead, and I wouldn’t be stepping through any circles.

“You worry too much. I’m capable of taking care of myself.” I smiled and checked my phone. “Speaking of which, I’m late for my training with Daphne.”

Julian said nothing as I hurried from the car and up the steps to the sliding doors of the building. I waved in greeting to Gladys who sat, reading her book, then hopped into the waiting elevator.

When it opened at the basement, the tall blonde stood waiting, hand on the hip of her black bodysuit and a frown on her beautiful face.

“Sorry,” I said. “Just got here.”

“That means I’ll have to make up the extra time by working you twice as hard. Now drop and give me twenty.”

I blinked, then looked down at the mist gathering over the spongy ground beneath me. I couldn’t even see my feet. Nor had I changed into my own workout clothes.

“No time for changing,” she barked, as though she’d read my mind. “No one’s going to wait while you switch into something more comfortable if they’re attacking you. Now drop or I’ll add five more pushups for every second you hesitate.”

No need to threaten me twice. I dropped to the ground, inhaling the strong scent of grass and ozone as I shoved against the floor. My muscles screamed in complaint by the time I reached ten and sweat poured down my brow and into my eyes. My arms shook as I got to eighteen, and I nearly collapsed, but I struggled to keep going. Just two more…

Daphne’s hand grasped me under my arm as I hit twenty, and she helped haul me to my feet. Her smile didn’t make up for the pain.

“Good work. Now climb.”

“Climb?” I repeated, unsure what she meant.

She turned me, holding my shoulders, and I saw a long green vine the width of my thigh dangling before me from one of the jungle trees that currently populated the space. My stomach dropped.

“I don’t think—”

“Good. Don’t think. Just climb!”