How long do we have?
Tate didn’t answer immediately, her mind racing.
Think. You’re still alive. Fight until the last moment because you never know what luck will fall your way.
“An hour. Maybe two.” If the fates favored them. As someone who didn’t have a lot of luck, Tate thought it was the first rather than the second. “The ship has lain fallow for an eternity, and it took damage when it came down. Nathan will need time to accumulate sufficient power to phase long enough to escape the bedrock it’s trapped in.”
Tate discarded the thought of trying to directly interfere with the Rift. It was impossible. Even from here she could feel the pulses of energy as it charged the air. They were like the waves of the ocean, drawing you near before pushing you firmly away. The closer to the Rift, the more powerful those pulses would become. Eventually, they would be able to pulverize bone and warp matter.
Mia moved closer to Night, her hand finding his shoulder almost by habit. As if the touch of his fur gave her comfort even in the face of something she didn’t understand.
You have a plan. I can see it.Night leaned into Mia’s hand but didn’t acknowledge her otherwise.
Mia’s fingers clenched in his fur as she glanced at Tate in sudden hope.
“I do but the chances of success are very small.”
Even if they successfully infiltrated the tunnels, they had to find the control room on the bridge, which was likely located in the deepest sections. If Ai didn’t spot them long before they reached their destination, the denizens of the tunnels would.
To do all that on such a short time schedule was unlikely. Tate didn’t plan to leave the fate of Night’s cubs to such small odds.
“If you leave now, you can get out of the city. Both of you.” Tate looked between Dewdrop and Night.
The future would be harsh if Nathan was successful, but they’d live for now.
She didn’t want to admit, even to herself, that a part of her didn’t think she could stop it. As corny as it was, positive thinking took you further than a self-defeatist attitude. If there was even a microscopic chance of this working out, she’d hang onto it. Logic be damned.
“You’re going,” Dewdrop said, sounding certain.
Her smile was wry. “It’s who I am.”
She had to try.
“I can do it,” Mia suddenly volunteered. “I can get the cubs and the rest of the dragonlettes out. I owe it to you for what you did for the Harridan. They’ll be safe with us in Silvain.”
Night shook his head.They’ll never go with someone they consider a stranger.
“And whose fault is that?” Mia’s tone was arch.
Night’s face turned grumpy.
Tate’s lips twitched even though this wasn’t the time for humor.
“They’ll go with me.” Dewdrop lifted his head. “They know and trust me. They’ll listen.”
Are you sure?
Dewdrop’s eyes were suspiciously red as he nodded. “Yeah. Besides with this arm, I’ll just get in the way.”
Dewdrop’s voice was tight, making it clear he didn’t want to go. His place was beside them.
Only, life didn’t often give them everything they wanted. It took and took. Sometimes you had to be willing to sacrifice for the greater goal.
“You’d better come back, though, or I’ll never forgive either of you.” Dewdrop opened his eyes wide to prevent any moisture from leaking free. “I’m not going to be responsible for raising your terrors.”
Movement from Tate’s side sent her heart into her throat. She shoved Dewdrop to the side as George slashed her blade toward Tate’s neck.
Liquid metal boiled out of Tate’s fingers forming a silvery blade as she raised her hand to block. The impact from blades crashing reverberated through Tate’s arms.
