AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hermione nods calmly. “And we shouldn’t count on either of those things. Call up to the roof and have them get one of our smaller, faster choppers ready to fly. If we move quickly, I should be able to catch up to them before they reach the landing point.”
The man says, “Yes, commander,” but Hermione is already in motion, charging across the room toward the lobby.
I hurry after her, jogging to keep up with her longer strides. “I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not,” she says, not slowing for a second as she pushes through the doors and starts down the hall toward the elevators. “You’re staying here and staying safe.”
“But what if I have another vision?” I press, darting in front of her after she pushes the up button. “Or something from my earlier vision takes on new meaning, the way it did in there with Pax? I won’t be able to reach you once you’re in the woods, either.”
“Maxim doesn’t want you there.” Hermione brushes past me as the doors open. “And he’s right. Knowing someone you love is in danger doesn’t make you a better fighter; it makes you distracted. And distraction easily equals death in situations like that.”
I hop in after her. “That’s why we don’t tell him I’m there. I ride in the helicopter with you, but I don’t get out. I stay inside, hidden, and communicate with you via ear coms.”
She sighs, casting a tortured look my way.
“I’ll be completely safe,” I say. “You can even have the pilot stay with me in the cabin so we’re ready to bolt the second you say it’s too dangerous for me to stick around.” I clasp my hands together. “Please, Hermione. I don’t want to put myself or the baby at risk, either, but I have a unique gift that we should use to our advantage. You better believe the other side will be using all of their gifts to theirs.”
Her hands ball into fists, releasing with a spasm as the car arrives on the roof with a sharp ding. “Fine,” she says. “But when I tell you to go, you go. No arguments or hesitation. Agreed?”
I nod eagerly and tail her out of the car. “Agreed. You’re the boss.”
“Right,” she grumbles, striding past the bathrooms and closed snack bar toward the rooftop park, gardens, playground, and the helicopter launching pad beyond. “You’ve proven how good you are at taking orders.”
I scamper along beside her, lifting my palms toward the darkening sky. “But maybe that’s a good thing. I’ll keep Maxim’s bossy side in check.”
“Or give it a good workout at least,” she agrees, shooting me a sideways glance. “If he tries to demote me for this, I’m counting on you to change his mind.”
“I’ll re-promote you myself,” I promise.
Her lips twitch. “You don’t have that power, but thanks.”
“You’re welcome. But seriously, don’t worry. Maxim owes me for saving his life several times in the past few days. If needed, I will absolutely call in one of those vouchers to get you out of the doghouse. But hopefully everything will go smoothly, and he’ll never know I was there. At least, not until the fighting is over.”
And he might die during the battle, and this will be a non-issue.
Ignoring the voice in my head and the anxiety tightening my throat, I ask, “Don’t suppose you have any enforcer uniforms in my size hanging around, do you? I can change on the way, but I should probably wear something that’s easier to fight, run, and shift in. Just in case.”
“I’ll have them send one up while the helicopter’s fueling,” she says, hopping on her com to put in the request.
She doesn’t question me or insist I won’t need to fight. She just gets the job done. I appreciate that about Hermione. She’s practical.
Even when it’s hard or scary.
Or both.
