Liam watches the interaction intently before he speaks. “Turn it off for a second.”
I shake my head.
He mouths the wordplease.
I unlink his mind and mine from the connection.
He reaches across the vortex, grabbing my vest to pull me forward. With his face close to mine, he says, “I’m not apologizing for what I did back on the territory. But I will apologize for comparing you to Elaine Powers. You’re nothing like her.” He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment and releases a stuttering breath. “I love you so fucking much… it just hurts.” He searches my face, and my eyes burn with unshed tears. “You better make it out of here alive. So fucking help me, baby, if you die… I will burn this fucking city down to nothing but ashes.” He presses his lips against mine before setting me back on my heels.
Stunned, I clear my throat and try to empty my mind before reopening our link. I meet his steel gray eyes. Just like the night of the guard ball, he mouths,I love you,and steps into the vortex.
I close the portal, slide the phone into my cargo pants pocket, and wait for the all-clear.
The slums are eerily quiet. Sticking close to the shadows, I make my way down the block to the abandoned warehouse. The closer I get to the building, my nerves twitch. I know it’s after midnight, but it’s too quiet.
When I reach the apartment building next to it, I check my surroundings. Nothing, not even thoughts from people sleeping. Did Odyssey not pick up on that?
I’m not close enough to the apartment building to pick up on anything, he responds.
The original plan was to pound on the front door and basically offer myself up as a trade. Then, we would ambush them before they could guess what was coming.
But something is wrong. I feel it in the still air.Guys, I think this is a setup.
Reaching down into one of my cargo pockets, I pull out a pair of glasses. Squirrel managed to make me a light pair of night vision glasses using my old frames that cover most of my face.
Wow! These are amazing. I can see everything. Thank you, Squirrel.
I move around the apartment building. Using my wind magic, I hoist myself up to the third-floor balcony and lean against the window. No one is in there. I can’t even hear the sound of someone breathing.
Jessica, stick to the plan, Elias growls.
No, something’s wrong. You need to watch your backs. I really think this is a setup.I hop up onto the balcony railing and fly over to the rooftop of our targeted building.
I find the hole Liam pointed out in the van and peer into it. The warehouse is empty. I move down to the other corner to view the other buildings, but the warehouse roof is too low.
Jessica, get off the roof. You’re leaving yourself wide open,Elias shouts.
I move back to the opposite side of the building near the back end of the apartments. A tingling sensation develops against my scalp. I freeze.Shadow? Where are you?I spin around to face the buildings across the street.
A sharp, high-pitched whistling emanates from the sky above. I jerk my chin in the direction of the sound. A bright white light explodes above me. I pull up my arm to shield my eyes.
Get off the roof!Elias bellows.She’s under attack! Fuck our plan. Get her out of there!
I yank off the night vision glasses. Bright spots mar my vision. A strong gust of wind ruffles my hair, followed by the sound of wings flapping.
Wings? Wings! What the hell is happening?Did the Resistance recruit avian species to join their cause? I drop to my hands and knees to scramble forward. The edge of the roof shouldn’t be more than a couple of feet in front of me.
A piercing sound breaches the sky. Wind beats down on my back. I blink rapidly to clear my vision. Something heavy lands on my back, tightens around my body, and lifts me into the air.
I place my hands on the talons squeezing the life out of me. I push my lightning magic into the thick, rough quick of its claws. It instantly releases me with a piercing cry. I freefall for a few seconds before I can gather my magic and slow my rapid descent.
Another flash of bright light explodes in the sky. A solid force of energy crashes into me, spinning me out of control. A punch of energy hits me from the side. I unleash lightning, striking at anything. I can’t see.
My body spins out of control. I can’t tell which direction is up or down or how close the ground is. I pull in my wind magic, fighting to right myself.
A solid form smashes into me. I hear the sound of crackling electricity, and the tiny hairs at the nape of my neck stiffen. Pain ricochets throughout my body, and darkness takes over.
A tingling sensation against the nape of my neck brings me back to consciousness. Something covers my head, blocking my sight. My arms are bound behind me, and my legs are tethered to the chair I sit on.
