Polly’s eyes widened. “There’s more to these treacherous foot traps?”
“Yep, you’re missing the second half,” Addy said, her tone suggesting this was the most obvious thing in the universe.
Erzo grimaced. “I specifically told the salesperson they were her first magnetic shoes.”
“Calm down, big guy,” Addy chided with a smirk. “She probably didn’t expect Polly to be a newbie to the world of high-tech shoe attachments.”
Polly blinked, baffled. “So, these are like shoe extensions? Like hair extensions, but for feet?”
Addy nodded. “Exactly. They clip onto your regular shoes.”
As if on cue, a passerby strutted past them, her shoes complete with the mysterious’ other part,’ looking as comfortable as if she was walking on a cloud.
Polly sighed, looking down at her shoes with a newfound sense of betrayal. “Great, it’s like I’ve been walking on space Legos all day. Can’t wait for the sequel. No wonder they’ve been torturing me.”
“We’ll sort you out with the right gear,” Addy reassured her. “But for now, how about a pain blocker? It works wonders.”
Polly hesitated, unfamiliar with the concept. “No, thanks. I think a bit of rest will do the trick.”
“I’ll take her back. Make sure she’s comfortable,” Erzo offered, his tone protective.
Addy gave Polly a concerned look. “Are you sure you don’t want a pain reliever?”
Polly attempted to stand, her pride nudging her to prove she could handle it. “I’m fine. Just needed a quick breather.”
But as she rose, a sharp pain shot through her feet, making her knees buckle.
Erzo’s reflexes were swift. He caught her effortlessly, his arms encircling her in a firm yet gentle hold.
“Allow me,” he insisted, lifting her into his arms before she could protest.
Polly stiffened instinctively, surprised by the sudden closeness.
“I’ve got you,” Erzo murmured, his voice a soothing rumble.
She clung to him, her initial resistance melting away in the warmth of his embrace. His hand shifted, caressing her hip in a gesture that sent an unexpected shiver through her.
“You don’t have to carry me,” she protested weakly.
“I cannot let my mate suffer needlessly,” Erzo replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Polly’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment and something else, something new. “I’ll be fine. Besides, I might be too much for you to handle.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why would you think that?”
“Because I’m heavy,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Erzo chuckled, a deep, warm sound that resonated in the quiet hallway. “I work with heavy tools daily. You, Polly, are far from heavy.”
Flustered, Polly could only blush deeper as Erzo carried her with ease. The corridor was serene, less crowded than the others, lined with windows revealing quiet offices. The stars outside cast a gentle glow, bathing them in a soft light.
“Is this area new?” Polly asked, trying to distract herself from the intimacy of the moment.
“Fairly new,” Addy answered from behind, her voice fading into the background of Polly’s awareness.
Polly’s gaze wandered curiously into the rooms they passed. Most of them were empty, their windows like blank eyes gazing back at her. She noticed groups of people engaged in animated discussions in a couple of the rooms. One person even glanced out at them, their eyes meeting Polly’s for a fleeting moment. There was something off about them, a shimmering quality that made Polly squint. Was it the glass or something else?
She shifted slightly in Erzo’s arms, feeling self-conscious. “You know, you can put me down now. I think I can manage.”
