Vulcan rolls his eyes. “Busy!” he shouts back. “Come back later!”
“I need to ask you about—”
“Later!” Vulcan’s tone is hard. “I’m in the middle of something critical. Come back tomorrow.”
There’s a pause, then footsteps retreating down the hallway.
Becca lets out a breath. “That was close.”
“Send it out,” Drake says. “You’re a freaking genius, Vulcan. Holy shit. It’s amazing watching you work.”
“This was child’s play…but fun.” His eyes twinkle. “I’m sending this video to all Council members and the head of Draig Security. They won’t be able to trace it back here to me. Theywon’t be able to trace anything back to me. Bunch of imbeciles.” He mutters the last.
“Thanks,” I tell him.
“Annnnd…sent. They should all have it in their inboxes within the next thirty seconds.”
Drake’s phone buzzes. He pulls it out, checks the screen, and nods.
“I got it. Now we need to send it to every media station on the island.” He sits on a nearby chair, his device in his hand.
“I’ll do it,” Vulcan says. “You look like you’re about to pass out.” Not half a minute later, he says, “Done.”
Drake stares at him. “That’s not possible. It couldn’t have been that fast.”
“It absolutely can, and it is done.” Vulcan grins. “I have a script I wrote that mass-distributes files to all major media outlets on the island simultaneously. Uses their public submission portals, anonymizes the source IP—”
“Yeah, yeah! Does every news station on the island have a copy?” I ask.
“Every. Single. One.” Vulcan leans back in his chair, looking pleased with himself.
Drake’s phone starts ringing. He glances at the screen and groans. “It’s Vector.”
“Better answer that,” I tell him.
Drake rises from his chair with visible effort, his hand still pressed to his wounded side. “I will as soon as I’ve arranged for additional security at the hospital. Not just outside Sally’s room, but inside as well. Draig Security, not Mainland. I need to make sure she’s safe. Then I need to call Harlow. I’m sure she’s worried. Then I’ll call Vector.”
“Use whatever you need.” Vulcan gestures broadly at his various phones and equipment.
No sooner does the call end than it starts to ring again. Drake moves to Vulcan’s main desk to make the calls. His voice is low but urgent as he speaks to various security personnel and hospital administrators. I catch phrases like “immediate protection detail” and “no Mainland personnel allowed in that room under any circumstances.”
Wren and I sit in our chairs, watching. Becca has pulled out her phone and is scrolling through something.
“That video is already spreading like wildfire. I’ve got news alerts pinging every few seconds. This is going to blow up in the Mainland’s face in spectacular fashion,” Vulcan says, putting his feet up on the desk.
Drake finishes one call and immediately starts another.
“I need to organize for Draig doctors and nurses to take over Sally’s care,” he says, covering the phone’s mouthpiece. “This might take a while.”
“It’s fine,” Wren tells him.
Becca and Vulcan start talking in low voices about some technical problem she’s been having. She shows him her cellphone.
I turn to Wren, clearing my throat. “I wanted to talk to you about the mind-bond thing.” I internally wince. I’m making it sound casual when it’s anything but.
“Not now, Grim.” Her voice is flat.
“Yes…but…” I start to say.
