Warn Viper!Odin shouted in my head—right there with my train of thought.
“Vhat is it?” Kirill asked.
I held up a hand to hold him off as I called for Viper in my mind.
Yeah?came his immediate response.
I think it's a trap! Turn back!
I can see the end of the tunnel. I'm not turning back now.
Viper, he should have traced away but he didn't. There's only one reason for him to take that tunnel and it's to lead us somewhere.
He'd have to know we were hunting him, V,Viper saidcalmly. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm here already. Coming out of the tunnel now. It looks like someone's backyard.
Viper, get out of there now!
Relax, sweetheart. No one's here to jump me. It's just a house. It—oh, Hoover Dam.
What? What happened?!I shrieked.
There's more than one. A lot more.
Trace to Austin's!
Viper didn't respond.
Viper! Viper!I got so frantic that I screamed his name aloud, “Viper!”
Austin slammed on the breaks and stared at me in shock.
“Is he hurt?” Kirill asked gently.
“I don't know,” I moaned.
A little busy here, Viper muttered.Give me a second, babe.
“Oh, thank goodness,” I whispered in relief and released my death-grip on the pile of Viper's clothing on my lap.
“I guess that means that I can start driving again?” Austin asked warily.
“Da. Drive,” Kirill said. Then to me, “Vervain?”
But I was back in my head, growling at Viper,Trace away!
It's all good. I got it.
Damn it, Viper!
Floppy french fries!Viper cursed again. They got away.
What?
They ran. Vamoosed. Evacuated. Left the nest.
Good,I huffed in relief.Get your fine ass to Austin's.
Yes, Ma'am,Viper drawled in mimicry of the Cowboy-Cop.
