I stand up straight, then climb on top of a sand pile. A little ridiculous but maybe the height will give me a better reception. I reiterate my need for a distraction.
—Shit, fuck, OK. One sec. We’re talking—
My eyes flick to the ventilation cap. The girl has crawled back inside. Probably a good plan.
In the distance the guards are looking my way. I take out my phone, to call Theo instead using her telepathy, but there is no cell service. Must be some kind of signal blocker around here.
Nonetheless, I hold the phone to my ear, pretending to talk.
“My friends are going to make a distraction,” I tell the child without looking her way. “When they do, I’ll need you to follow my directions precisely, ok?”
I don’t look for confirmation. I can only hope she’s on board.
One of the guards starts towards me.
Come on, assholes! Fucking do something.
A second later, a fiery explosion happens at the fence line. It’s at the diametrically opposed side to the main gates.
Smart.
Guards are running that way.
“Now, kid.”
A small, cold hand slides into mine.
OK. Need to think.
If I walk through the gate with her, my father will soon hear about it. My compliance game would be up.
That’s alright as plan B, but I’d rather we had the advantage of my being a mole for a while longer.
So plan A. I lead the girl through the tangle of building supplies and head towards the area closest to the laundry.
—Can you float a little girl over this wall?—
I think Theo must be close now. I can hear her much better.
And Feniks.
—Alright, follow my instructions…start an air spell to alter the currents, center it beneath her—he tells me.
—Check—
Dust devils whirl as I manipulate my fingers. “Stay still,” I tell the kid. This is one little girl I have half a chance of rescuing.
Suddenly, a surge of Lumina pulses into my brain, sent along the link my Theodora. It’s not filling my body, but does aid my spell. I concentrate as Feniks yells in my head all the next steps of the complex casting.
It’s a lot, but then.
She’s floating.
There’s no time for grace, or worries about a gentle landing. I just need her gone.
Safe.
With a swipe of my hand I send her up and over, then instantly turn heel and march towards the blaze. “What in Gods’ name is happening?” I demand.
