At the sprinkler system.
“Yeah, I guess we don’t want to burn the whole place down, yet,” he sighs. “We don’t know how many innocent people are in here, so a moderately controlled blaze will have to be done.”
He steps forward, snaps his fingers and a jet of golden flames appear.
That was unexpected.
And now the closet is a wall of flame.
He goes to the door, checking the hallway again. “This will work as long as you keep your mouth shut, so I guess no problem there. Just walk a few feet behind me. If anyone looks at you, grunt and point your weapon.” The dragon’s voice has shifted back into that cold, bored drawl. “Most of these idiots are too terrified of my father to ask questions.”
After three steps, the fire alarms start blaring.
Sprinklers come to life.
Water runs down the visor of my tactical mask, making it hard to see.
The dragon and I stand to one side as a squad of guards, hauling fire extinguishers, come hurtling down the corridor.
“Get a move on,” Drakeward shouts after them. He takes two more turns then we arrive at the elevators. Several people are gathered there, anxiously pressing the call button.
They snap to attention when they notice who’s joined them.
A tall woman clutches a phone, listening intently. “Fine. Will do,” she says, then turns to the dragon. “This shaft is locked down, we are to proceed to the freight elevator.”
“Lead the way,” Drakeward tells her, his voice completely steady despite the chaos.
The stink of chemical fire is filling the hallways, but lessens as we journey deeper into the facility.
“Here,” the woman says, swiping a card. The small group quickly huddles into the cage, and a collective sigh of relief sounds as the lift begins to rise.
With each second we rise, I feel the pressure of the dark magic begin to thin.
My minotaur breathes easier.
The elevator shudders to a halt. I pull open the doors.
Building site floodlights stun my eyes for a moment, then my sight equalizes.
We’re outside.
—Nymph?—
16
One of the Conclave goons is up in my face.
—Nymph?—
—LU?—
“I said,” the guard sneers, “are you the student who rooms in the basement?”
Thank Gods my janitor is safe.
“Are you listening, girl?” the black-clad stormtrooper yells.
Shit. “Er, yes.”
