Page 121 of I Am Salvation

We lie together as the world around us fades away.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Dragon

I wake to the sound of my phone.

I’m in bed with Diana, our limbs tangled together.

Both dogs walk up to me, whimpering and sniffling.

“In a minute, guys,” I say.

I grab my phone. It’s Alayna.

“Yeah? Hello?”

“Dragon, I’m sorry to call you so early, but I’ve got great news.”

“Yes?” My heart hammers.

“We found the compound. SWAT teams are going in. If your sister is in there, we’re going to get her out.”

Excitement races through me. The compound. The cult.

Griffin.

“Great, I’m on my way.”

“Dragon, you should let the pros handle this.”

Is she kidding? “Hell, no. I’m coming. If my sister is there, I want to be the first person she sees when they get her out.”

Will she even recognize me, though? Hell, I don’t care. I’m this close. This close.

I have to be there.

“You can’t talk me out of this, Alayna. I’m coming.”

She sighs. “Are you still in Taos?”

“Yeah.”

“It will be about a three- or four-hour drive to get here. By then, we should have everybody in place. But you’re going to need to stay back and let the SWAT team handle this.”

“Yeah, of course. Thanks, Alayna.”

“Don’t thank me yet. We don’t know she’s in there.”

“I know. I’m coming anyway.”

“I wish I could talk you out of it, but I know better. See you when you get here.”

The call ends, and I swallow. The dogs are still pawing at me. “Yeah, I know you guys need to go, and you’re probably hungry too. I’ve got to find someone to take care of you while we’re gone. I’d prefer that Diana stay here with you, but…” I shake my head.

She’s going to want to come along with me.

I’ll just tell her no. Put my foot down. Tell her she’s staying here.

---