Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
“Please meet me halfway, Evie.”
Frustration spiked inside me, because he was right. “Why can’t they wait until after Tee’s birth then?”
“I beseeched Jack to do just that, but he refuses. The most he’ll commit to is to wear comms. We’ll have eyes and ears on them from the study. They’re approaching the fort.”
Shit, this was happening! “Okay, let’s go.”
“I don’t suppose I can persuade you to stay here and rest?”
“Not a chance.” I leapt out of bed and felt a weird twinge low in my belly. Ignoring it, I waddled to my clothes. My high-waisted pants were strangely loose. Must’ve stretched them out. I tried in vain to put on my boots, couldn’t reach my swollen feet.
Aric rushed to assist me, pulling them on and tying the laces for me.
“I can’t believe they made it at last.”
“The weather over the last few days helped.”
During our alliance conference call a week ago, Gabe had commented on the relenting snow, “I feel like the gods are holding their breath.”
To which Jack had wondered, “What’s the exhale goan to be like?”
I shuddered to think. I asked Aric, “Are the guys going in with Jack?”
“Only Joules.”
Though I wished Jack would have more backup, I understood their reasoning. Gabe couldn’t blend, Sol was my declared MVP, and Kentarch was our only hope of castle evacuation.
Apparently Joules had been practicing with his powers, becoming even more formidable. Plus, if the Pentacles disarmed them, he would always have a weapon on hand.
“Ready?” Aric glanced at my hair.
Another lock must’ve turned red. “Where’s Lark? Maybe she should see this.”
“Sleeping in her room. I suggest letting a hibernating creature lie.”
Good point.
As Aric and I made our way to the study, he brought me up to speed. “Jack and the Tower each have a miniature cam on their hats, which will transmit via satellite to our monitor and to Kentarch’s laptop in the truck. We’ll all be connected.”
Inside the study, Aric pulled up a chair beside his and motioned for me to sit. The computer screen was split into two feeds, one half labeled J. Deveaux and the other P. Joules.
He unmuted our mic. “Evie and I are here.”
Jack’s staticky voice sounded from the speakers. “We’re heading out. Give us five to reach the entrance.”
I said, “Be careful in there, Jack.”
“Will do, peekôn.”
I wished I was there to protect him. My claws budded at the thought of him wading into yet more danger.
Aric frowned at the scent of roses emanating from me. Another glance at my hair.
As Jack and Joules approached, the feeds lit up and the fort started to take shape. If I’d thought the Lovers’ bunker creepy, this place was just as much so. The Flash had blackened the brick walls and incinerated any trees in the area to jagged stumps. Spotlights highlighted the barrenness that stretched on for miles.
Jack and his crew had toiled for months to reach Fort Colman. What would they find inside? When I bit my lip, Aric muted our mic. “He’ll be okay.” In a dry tone, he added, “Remember, he cheats Death.”
18
The Hunter
“Let me do the talking, Tower,” I reminded Joules as we made our way to the fort’s entrance.
On the walls, guards manned spotlights, sweeping the flatlands all around, illuminating the falling snow. Weather’s picking up. We’d made it just in time.
“Just promise me I’ll get to blow up some shite.”
“Chances are.” My plan was to do recon and see if the Pentacles had amassed any weapons. If this suit turned out to be as evil as the Cups, we’d abduct one for interrogation.
A pair of armed guards swung a spotlight at us as we approached. I made my limp more pronounced.
One shouldered his rifle, cocking it. “Hands up and state your business!”
We raised our gloved hands. “Heard your message. I’m here to get an old bullet taken out of my leg.”
“What have you got to trade?”
“A truck just down the road.” I pointed over my shoulder. “It runs, but we used all our fuel getting here.”
“Where’d you come from? Cars have been blocked by the snow for weeks.”
“From the coast. Caught a break in the weather. Can’t believe we made it.”
They gave me and Joules a once-over, then one said, “All of the specialists are at a service today.” The two shared a snicker. “You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
“Service? Like a burial?” Never in a million years had I thought they’d turn us away. “Man, I got pain like you can’t imagine, especially after we worked our tails off to get here. Did I mention we have a running truck?”
“Then sleep in it tonight and return tomorrow.”
In my earpiece, Domīnija said, “Walk away, Jack. Something is going on inside that you’re not to see.”
I muttered, “Got it.” A stray impulse made me call out, “You got any food to advance us on the trade?”