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Maddy suddenly realized that the last time she’d seen the ocean from this height was when she’d saved her Protection, Jeffrey Rosenberg and, illegally, his assistant. Maddy could still conjure the bloody vision of Rosenberg’s demise, could feel the gravitational pull of the plummeting jet once again, the adrenaline, the split second she had to make the decision to save the cowering assistant, who was certainly going to die without her help. Her muscles ached as she remembered the incredible effort it had taken to freeze time long enough to make the double save. And then she remembered the aftermath. Her illegal save sparked the passing of the Immortals Bill, drawing support from Tom and fury from Jackson.
The memory made her heart quicken for Jackson, but she stuff
ed the feelings down. Maddy didn’t have time for them now.
She was with Tom. And it would stay that way.
• • •
Finally, Maddy saw the aircraft carrier, so far away it looked almost like a toy boat bobbing in a bathtub. But as they drew closer, it became more and more massive, a giant among giants. It was a steel juggernaut against the waves, and humanity’s last best hope to stem the coming tide of Dark Angels. Her heart beat faster in her chest.
Maddy saw there was a line of carriers and warships extending out in both directions into the distance, along the great blue ocean swells. The entire fleet had been mobilized. She knew the Chinese and the Russians were sending reinforcements, but there was no telling if they’d show up in time.
The helicopter drew over the deck of the carrier, and Maddy clutched onto a stabilizing strap as they descended. They touched down on the deck, the helicopter shuddering sharply as it made contact.
A sailor in a dress uniform ducked under the whirlwind of the spinning rotors and reached in to help Maddy out of the chopper. He grabbed her bag and gave a hand signal to the pilot, who then raised the helicopter slowly up off the deck. Maddy tucked her hair under her hoodie to keep it from whipping her face.
Clutching her elbow with one hand, the sailor led her off the deck, up some stairs, and into the relative silence of the bridge room. Along the way she was met with the gawking stares of sailors and military personnel, and it took all her strength to keep her head held high.
The captain was waiting on the bridge. He was about fifty-five, in good shape, with clear, sharp eyes. His khaki uniform was impeccably pressed and his boots reflected the bright, warm sunshine spilling through the bridge window.
The sailor snapped his heels together and saluted.
“Captain Blake—Madison Montgomery Godright, sir!”
“Ahem,” the private said, lightly elbowing Maddy and looking at her sidelong.
Maddy got the hint, and, blushing, she brought her hand up in a salute before being waved off by the captain.
“No need for formalities here, Ms. Montgomery.” He had a lilting Southern accent that immediately put Maddy at ease. “You are dismissed.” He nodded to the sailor flanking Maddy, who promptly saluted and left them.
“I know all about your reputation, young lady. Well, at least through my daughter. So when I got the call from the big guy saying we were bringing you on board to coordinate our forces on the front line, I was a little surprised,” Captain Blake said. “I’m not so sure about this, but if they say it will help, hell, I’m open to trying. Anything to stop these demon bastards.”
“I don’t want to make any promises, Captain,” Maddy admitted. “But I’m going to try. That’s all I can do.”
“Sounds like you have some courage, then,” the captain said. “You’re going to need it.”
Maddy nodded.
Captain Blake motioned to the sailor standing just outside the door.
“This petty officer will show you to your quarters,” he said. “Any questions?”
Privately, Maddy had about a million and one. But they could wait.
“No, sir,” Maddy said, saluting again.
The captain smiled. “You know, technically I should probably be saluting you.” He brought his hand to his temple and gave a quick salute. Maddy blushed again and went off with the waiting officer.
Because she was both a guest and an officer, Maddy had been given her own cabin. And after seeing the enlisted seamen’s quarters, she was more than grateful—the sailors were stacked like sardines in a giant room, bunks running everywhere. Maddy slung her bag up on the unoccupied top bunk, a great luxury on a warship.
Just then, she heard a knock at the door, and a familiar voice spoke.
“Maddy?”
Tom.
Before she knew it, she was wrapped up in his embrace, blissfully pressed up against him.
