She also knew that for this event and among the colonists, she was dressed properly for an outdoor, festive occasion, held at night.
The tallest one, who seemed to be in charge, blinked a couple of times and lifted his chin as though studiously refusing to drop his gaze lower.Yes, she was definitely showing some cleavage, and, yes, her stomach was bare.
“Good evening, ma’am.I’m Warrior Gideon.My squad will see you safely to the landing platforms in the valley proper.I understand you’re familiar with the valley and with the Seattle hidden colony?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Warrior Leto wanted me to tell you that platforms have been set up on the far western side of the competition zone.That’s where we’ll be going from here.”
She smiled.As though she hadn’t been folding all her two thousand years and into tens of thousands of different localities, including Fourth Earth.“You’re very kind, but I think I can handle a little fold through the forest and across a fairly narrow glade.”
At that, a glimmer shone in the warrior’s eye and his lips twitched.“I might have made mention of that fact to Warrior Leto.”
“And?”
“He might have scowled at me.”
Grace smiled.“Then allow me to take your arm for the fold.”
He moved with that easy lethal stride that most athletes and warriors possessed.When she took his proffered arm, he spoke into his com.His squad of eight, from all around the building, folded to his position, assumed a large V-formation flight pattern.A moment later she felt that swift glide of nothingness through nether-space.But despite her confidence, she landed a little unsteadily.
Gideon caught her.He glanced down at her with a questioning brow.
She shrugged.“And after I boasted about my abilities.I do have an excuse, though.My last fold was from Fourth.I forgot how short this one would be.”
He chuckled.“Show-off.”
She was laughing when half the warriors behind moved forward and started to march down the ramp in front of her.The rest would no doubt follow.Leto would have arranged this.He had said he would do his utmost to protect her.
Lifting her gaze, she took everything in at a glance.From the elevated position of the landing platforms, she could see that the warrior games were about ready to start.The entire colony had to be present as well as competitors from all over the world.She could hear various languages float across the air.
To the left of the platforms, which was north in this case, were dozens of tents selling clothes, food, trinkets, and jewelry.She’d have to check out the latter, but the smell of grilled meat made her stomach rumble.
To the right were what looked like a number of massive structures that no doubt tested various warrior skills.Arranged throughout were tall poles on which sat metal-sculpted baskets full of wood.A crude form of lighting, perhaps?There were a couple dozen of them arranged down both sides of the event grid.In addition, lines of torches were everywhere, guarded and kept lit by teen ascenders all wearing matching bright orange T-shirts and jeans.
She knew that the Seattle One hidden colony had a strict policy of keeping electricity-based light usage low in order to sustain the colony’s secrecy.The overhead web of moss-based mist could only go so far in cloaking the colony.
Excitement permeated the air.
When the first four Militia Warriors parted, she had a view of the ascenders waiting for her at the bottom of the platform.There were two women and four men, and she smiled since she knew them all.
Jean-Pierre stood with his arm draped over Fiona’s shoulder, his fingers laced through hers.They were both listening to Jean-Pierre’s great-grandson Arthur tell a story of some kind.She still couldn’t get over how much Arthur could have been Jean-Pierre’s twin.
Thorne stood slightly turned away from Fiona, his hand on Marguerite’s hip.She faced Leto and punched a finger into his weapons harness at pec height and was telling him something quite firmly.Thorne didn’t look happy.He kept batting her finger away from Leto.
Leto backed up a step.Grace thought she knew what was going on, so she extended her hearing; sure enough, Thorne had set up a possessive growl.Yep, her brother was growling at Leto.
Marguerite whirled on Thorne and shoved at his chest with both hands, but he didn’t budge.He just glared at Leto over her head until she finally reached up and kissed him flush on the lips.She had to reach pretty far since Marguerite was the short one of the group at only five-five.She was also very pregnant.Thorne froze and kind of melted all over her, apologizing and kissing her neck and her chin.
Leto stood back from them, but he was smiling and shaking his head.
She heard Arthur’s voice as he said, “Holy shit, is that Grace?”
She glanced in his direction and once more felt a sudden heat rise on her cheeks.
“Grace?”Thorne’s gravelly voice cut through all the chatter.“Is that you?”
She shifted to meet Thorne’s surprised gaze.He was looking her up and down.She nodded.
