“And we’re not worrying that we’re down a guard’s uniform?” I ask.
“Donovan will have to stay in the Jeep and be outside support,” he replies. “Tactics are always fluid.”
He means plans have to change when things get fucked up.
Hopefully everything else goes smoothly, but I doubt it.
Putting the Jeep in gear, the engine groans but complies.
Here goes.
Leaving behind us bodies buried in snow, we drive towards the facility.
35
The hound and I are dressed in uniforms, holding Theo by the arms.
Behind us, the centaur crouches low.
All have guns at the ready.
I am not versed in weaponry, but the gryphon taught me the basic mechanics.
The Jeep pulls to a halt.
We’re at the facility entrance.
I cannot hear the conversation, but within seconds, a man holding an automatic rifle rounds the corner and stares at us.
The way his gaze travels over Theo makes me want to crush his eyes.
Instead, I look ahead and don’t react.
But the hound grins. “Hey man.”
“Who are you?” the guard asks.
“New team. We’ve been moved from Validus Vale. Sucks. At least there we were near civilization. How long have you been out here?”
“Too fucking long.”
“Apply for a transfer,” Maximus suggests. “The perks are great.” He winks. The guard looks confused then shrugs, walking away.
We’re waved through. The Jeep moves slowly, then once again, we pull to a stop.
—Ready, Nymph?—
—Ready—
The dragon appears at the tailgate. “Come on,” he says, voice low. “We’ve an escort.” When he pulls the latch, he winces. He’s injured?
I jump down, then assist Theo.
“This way,” a new guard says. “Take her to a cell, then go to the dispatch office.”
Feniks stands to one side.—Keep alert—
We’re led through the rolling metal doors, and I look at the corridor ahead of us.
