Page 114 of Radar

Xander hugged Elyssa closer to him. He was trying to wrap his imagination around what Anna was saying. “The Family?” he whispered.

“Gone.”

“How many are gone?” Xander asked.

“All gone. There’s nothing left of the ferry. It exploded then sank. The speedboat was a bomb. The assailants didn’t put the bomb on the ferry because the Zoric security team did sweeps to check for explosives.”

“Gone,” Xander’s tone was hollow.

“Gone,” Anna said.

Xander shook his head. He was looking for that drug-like sensation that Elyssa had described that addictive personalities experienced when they got their revenge. And he had cotton. He had smoke. He was numb. “That’s stunning.”

“Yes.” Anna snorted and ran the back of her wrist under her nose.

“The babies and children, that’s a tragedy.”

Anna’s face crumpled into a mask of pain. “Yes.” She panted then sniffed. “All wiped off the face of the Earth except for the Zoric family members who are huddled in their Washington prison cells.” She flicked her hand like she was trying to rid them of some substance. “I’m in shock. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Have you told Finley?” Elyssa asked softly.

“He was on the call with Adele. He’s said he’s getting on the first flight to come to me.” A heavy breath and a grimace of deep pain. She panted and sniffed. “All those people. They werepeople.”

“I know,” Xander said soothingly.

“They were bad, terrible people, and for me, the death of many of them, this is a blessing—the biggest, most joyfulthing. The most miraculous, wonderful thing that could have happened. It’s such a conflict in my body.”

“The families. I know,” Xander said. “Anna, you’re human. You ate at their tables, you cuddled their babies. It’s a devastating blow, and you should not be alone. Tatiana. Can you go to Tatiana and stay with her until Finley gets there?”

“Uhm, no. No. I can’t be around anyone at all. I can’t put up a front right now, and I’d have to, the attack hasn’t been on the news yet. This is such a horrible sensation. Half of me is jumping up and down, screeching with joy. Orest, Medved’, and Melina all wiped into oblivion, never to hurt anyone again. The world is a far safer place without them. But Natasha was on the ferry, and she was always so kind. Criminally culpable but not death sentence worthy. Joy and horror are such strange bedfellows.” Anna wrapped her hands around her ribs. “I think I might explode. Or vomit. Something. Hold on, it’s White, I’ll bring her on.”

He waited a while.

Anna came back on the line. Her face was red and tear-streaked. “She sent Grey to support me until Steve can get here. Grey is pulling up now.”

“The CIA has confirmed Adele’s report?” Xander asked.

“White didn’t have time for a conference call. I have notes. White saw the video and was able to verify its authenticity. Next, she said York is doing well and has been moved to a private room, and they expect a full recovery. So that’s good news. She said to let Elyssa know,” Anna pulled up a piece of paper. “Meat, cheese, and squirrel were all on a pleasure boat and survived without injury. They are on their way to the U.S. Embassy.”

Elyssa crumpled in Xander’s arms, and Radar, whining, crawled over, thrusting himself into her lap as she sobbed.

“So that looks like relieving news for Elyssa,” Anna said.

“Absolutely.”

Anna lifted the paper again. “White told me that Adele also had tape of exactly who loaded. I’m reading this from Adele. ‘Medved,’ Orest, and two hundred and forty-eight other family members boarded the ferry along with four ferry workers and six caterers. All two hundred and sixty souls are gone. The coffin has been nailed shut. Our job protecting the world from the Zorics is over.”

And in the back of his mind, he wondered if Elyssa would have been on the family ferry had she gone with Orest as he’d asked. Had Elyssa’s ethics in living up to a promise she’d made to a friend saved her life? Right now, Xander’s heart was full to bursting. Just having Elyssa in his arms was euphoria. She’d survived the dangers. And so had Anna. “Anna, you’re free.”

“At what cost?” Anna looked to the side. “Someone’s ringing my bell. Stay with me while I look out—John Grey’s here,” she called.

Xander kissed Elyssa’s head as she lifted it to his shoulder. He smoothed the damp strands of hair out of her face and rocked side to side to soothe them both.

What a hell of a twist.

“Ender,” a male voice said from off-screen as Anna found her place in front of the camera. “I’ve got some shit to tell you.”

“Listening.”Bracing.

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