Page 21 of High Stakes

The doors of the elevator parted and Abram stepped out first. Titus followed him and I trailed Titus, the soldiers flanking us. Every surface of the roof was coated with dew. The sun hadn’t yet risen above the horizon, and the inky sky was deep, twilight blue.

We were seven stories up. Adjusting my vision’s sharpness, I peeked over the edge. Maru threw up his hands, scissoring them, his dark hair waving in the gentle breeze. I waved back. The elevator pinged and the doors parted, revealing Victor and Kael.

“Strike true,” Victor instructed each of us as he shook our hands, a camera catching what I now knew was a fake smile. He called us Assets. He called us valiant. He called us his creation.

Kael trailed behind him, activating the tech in our hands and suits. “The tech and suit will remain on until you return,” he assured us. “Do not toy with the tech. A member of my team will deactivate it when you land.”

Abram was the first to climb onto the ledge, followed by Titus and then me. My knees shook as I took in the height, the light breeze toying with errant strands of my hair.

Titus pinched his eyes closed and let out a long, pent-up breath.

“Ready for countdown,” Victor announced.

“Ready for countdown,” Kael parroted.

Maru stared at us from below, his features stone-like.

The wind kicked up, tearing more strands of my hair from the tight bun I wore. It pushed against my stomach and chest, like God himself wanted me off the edge of the building.

“This better work,” Titus gritted quietly, glancing over at me. His shoulders were so tight, I thought the muscles might snap.

“It will,” I answered brazenly, hoping I was right.

“Would you two shut up?” Abram spat.

Titus shook his head, giving a laugh that promised he was going to kick Abram’s ass when we got back.

“Ten...” Victor began, startling me. He paced behind the three of us while Kael stood at the ledge beside Abram, biting down an excited smile. Soldiers stepped up behind us, their guns slung across their backs.

If we didn’t jump, would they turn them on us as a form of persuasion?

“Nine...”

“Eight...”

“Seven...”

“Six...”

“Five...”

“Four...”

“Three...”

“Two…”

“One...”

I didn’t get the chance to jump. Instead, I was shoved off the ledge, a scream tearing from my lungs. It was such a jolt, I didn’t swan dive. I was falling wrong. The stars were all I could see. And then, as if I wasn’t plummeting fast enough, the suit accelerated me. I felt each shred as every cell in my body was torn to slivers.

* * *

Kael claimed traveling was painless. He assured us that we were calibrated to land directly in front of our targets at a gala held only a week ago. We had intercepted their broadcast and knew where Enoch and his siblings would be standing, down to the exact second in time. The first vampires had let their guards down a little that night. They were enjoying themselves. They would never expect a sneak attack.

Kael was wrong.

About absolutely everything.

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