Maisie laughed. “I never doubted you, not for a moment,” she reassured him, leaning down to press her cheek against the feathers of his neck as they ruffled in the wind.
And it was true – she really hadn’t. She’d always known he’d come for her, right from the moment the eagle had first swept her up.
And he did.
Maisie allowed herself a few deep breaths. She felt she’d earned them. Adrenaline was still singing in her veins, and her hands were shaking even as she gripped tightly to Rhys’s neck feathers. She thought it was probably good that she didn’t have to stand up under her own power right now, because she wasn’t sure if she could.
But that’s okay. Because Rhys is here.
She chanced a peep over his neck to see where they were headed. They seemed to be circling lower and lower over Castle Hill and preparing to land.
Looking up and squinting against the sun, Maisie was relieved to see that the eagle that had snatched her was nowhere in sight. Probably it didn’t fancy tangling with Rhys a second time.
That’s right. Don’t come back or we’ll see what happens,she thought viciously. She knew she probably shouldn’t be wishing violence on anyone, but right now, she was just about sick to death of being attacked, dragged onto helicopters, interrogated, or lifted up off the ground and flown through the air for no reason anyone seemed to be able to explain to her.
Unless it’s by Rhys, obviously,she thought.He can fly me around anytime.
They circled lower, and it was pretty clear Rhys intended to land somewhere on Castle Hill itself – which was probably a better option than in the middle of town, even though some hikers were potentially in for a shock when a woman riding a griffin landed right in front of them.
Right now, Maisie decided she didn’t care. Mainly, she just wanted to feel solid ground beneath her feet again.
Rhys had selected an area to aim for that was off the hiking trails that ran up the side of the hill, however, so there wasn’t much chance of them being spotted. It was the side of the hill that faced away from the main part of Townsville, and was covered in boulders and scrub. It would give him plenty of space to land, and hopefully wouldn’t be too conspicuous either.
His landing was so gentle that Maisie barely felt it, and she only realized they’d actually landed when Rhys folded his wings and then fell instantly into a crouch, looking back at her over his shoulder.
“Oh, I guess I never really thanked you for saving me,” Maisie said, as she slid off Rhys’s back to stand a little shakily on the dry grass and red dirt that covered the hill. She still felt a little like her knees would wobble out from beneath her, but she knew Rhys would catch her if she fell.
As soon as she was off his back, Rhys shifted, and, a look of panic on his face, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Maisie gave herself over to the kiss, allowing it to soothe her nerves, calm her racing heart.
As much as Rhys made her pulse speed up, now, she let herself melt, feeling comforted and safe with his arms around her, his lips on hers.
I’m safe. I’m safe.
“Maisie,” Rhys murmured as he pulled away, his hands cupping her face, his eyes frantic. “Are you hurt? Did that fucking eagle –”
“No, no, it didn’t do anything to me,” Maisie blurted out, wanting to reassure Rhys as quickly as possible that there was nothing wrong with her. “It just picked me up, but I don’t think it was trying to hurt me. I was just… just…”
Terrified. But I knew you’d come.
Rhys seemed to know what she was trying to say, and a moment later his lips were back on hers, warm and soft andstrong. Maisie only wanted to get swept away in the obvious passion he had for her, to feel nothing but his kisses, to know nothing but his love.
But I guess first we have to get off this hill.
“Maisie, I can’t explain everything now, but I hope I finally have everything I need to end this. If what Michael sent me is true – or if anybody willlisten– then your name should be cleared, and the person who’s been causing all this shit will –”
“Agent Richardson!”
Maisie’s head jerked up at the loud, authoritative, andreally pissed offvoice that cut through the air, and Rhys tensed, instantly on his guard.
She turned to see a number of what were clearly secret agents approaching, some in suits and ties and some in beachwear, and all looking very out of place. But the scowls on their faces did away with any levity the situation may have otherwise brought about… as did the fact that they most likely turned into highly dangerous animals. Maisie was pretty sure that the Agency wouldn’t send a daddy longlegs into a combat situation.
Though I’m sure he’s very useful if they need someone to do reconnaissance.
“We’ve reached the end of our patience, Agent Richardson,” the agent in the bikini and giant sunglasses said grimly. Maisie felt a twinge of sympathy, despite everything – she couldn’t be comfortable, especially given that she was only wearing thongs on her feet! “Both of you are coming with us. We expect that you will come peacefully.”
“Just wait,” Rhys growled, maneuvering himself in front of Maisie protectively. “Listen to me foronedamn second. I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but there’s been some huge fuck-up somewhere along the line here. I don’t know what youthinkis going on, but Maisie has nothing to do with any of this. She’sa civilian who’s been caught up in something she knows nothing about, and I want to get to the bottom of it.”
“Be that as it may,” the agent said in a clearly disbelieving tone, “you’re not the one who’ll be getting to the bottom of it. You’re clearly compromised, and you can’t investigate yourselforthe person who’s been leading you on. Come with us, we’ll get this all sorted.”
