Page 121 of Almost Midnight

From there, they’d board an airship.

Walker made it clear from the beginning they’d be taken to the Federation of the United Kingdom. That federation consisted of a network of protected areas operating under a larger government across the whole of the British Isles. Probably because it was an island, that older political entity retained more of its original shape than most of the old nations. It also had a more cohesive system of trade, transportation, laws, and foreign policy than most parts of the world.

But yes, that’s what Nick figured: small boat, short ride across the two bays, drop-off, then airship.

For the same reason, when they all walked cautiously to the shore of Sheepshead Bay, Nick scanned the horizon for a boat, something big enough to fit all nine of them, but not so big it would be noticed by military surveillance when they got close to the airport.

Instead, he watched Walker reach the organic metal, reinforced dock, and begin to walk out to the very end of it. Nick couldn’t fathom why the other man appeared to be in such a hurry, with no boat even visible yet––until he saw it, a long, dark shadow at the end of the dock.

His mind had categorized it as an optical illusion, an effect created by the dock itself, combined with the brightness of the dome’s moon.

Then the top of that shadow opened while he watched, and the figure of a person popped out from beneath a hinged hatch.

“Jesus,” Morley breathed next to him. “Is that asubmarine?”

Nick blinked.

Fuck a duck. Morley was right.

Now Walker was waving to all of them impatiently, and looking around as if he was worried about drones, or maybe being seen by a camera they’d missed.

It struck Nick that Walker was right.

They couldn’t linger out here.

It also struck him that this vehicle, whatever it was, wasn’t taking them to the airport.

They were making the entire journey across the Atlantic in agaos-damned submarine.

He glanced at Wynter, who still stood too far away from him, far enough that he struggled not to go and pick her up and stand her next to him. He gave her a wan smile.

“You’re not claustrophobic, are you?” he asked.

Kit let out a high, nervous laugh.

All of them began moving a few seconds later, making their way for the metal dock with its ridged footholds, and towards Walker, who Nick could now see talking to the man who’d emerged from the submarine’s top hatch.

Nick only picked out a few words in the whipping wind.

“…one newborn vampire. Drugged right now… need to secure him somewhere for the trip. And probably feed him––”

“Not a problem,” the other man said, dismissive. “You sure you want all of them to come? Not second-guessing any of them, are you, Forrest? We can claim there’s limited room, if you want anyone off the list.”

Walker visibly flinched.

“I was told it was all approved,” he said stiffly.

“It is.” The man smiled. “I just heard your wife’s new fuck-toy is among our proposed guests. I wasn’t sure how you were feeling about that, so I thought I’d give you an out.”

“I’m not feeling anything about that,” Forrest said, annoyed. “She’s myex-wife, Peters. Not my current wife. We’ve been divorced almost eight years. And I told you, he’s the only reason I’m still here––”

The man was already waving him off.

“Trust me, I’m not complaining,” Peters said, smirking a little. “Mi6 is thrilled. The Minister is thrilled. TheKingis thrilled. I suspect all three will start in on trying to recruit your new friends the second you reach shore. Especially the seers, but the vampires, too. You’ve probably heard about the problems erupting from––”

“We’ve heard,” Walker cut in. “We heard about Madagascar, at least. Are you aware of what happened inthisProtected Area tonight?”

The other man nodded. “We’ve been listening.”

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