Page 75 of Sacrifice
I press a kiss to Elfe's forehead, careful of the bandages.
"I'll be back tomorrow," I promise her sleeping form. "And when you're better, we're getting a new apartment. Somewhere with better locks. Maybe a doorman. Definitely a place that allows dogs—big, mean ones."
Emil's hand finds mine, tugging gently. "Elfe is more than welcome to move into my place, if you want. You both can have a big dog there, and I have plenty of room, and the security is better than any place around."
I look up at him, shocked by what he’s suggesting. "You’d really do that?"
He smirks, "Haven’t you realized I’d do anything for you by now?"
A few moments pass, and he tugs me again. Time to go.
We slip out quietly.
Bodul stays outside her door, and we make our way back through the hospital corridors.
Emil's even more tense now, hand hovering near his weapon.
Every corner is checked, every stairwell assessed before we enter.
"She's tough," he says in the elevator. "Tougher than she looks."
"She shouldn't have to be."
"No. But she is. That's what matters now."
The parking garage is darker than before, half the lights out or flickering.
Emil stops at the elevator threshold, something in his posture changing.
From relaxed vigilance to immediate threat assessment.
"Stay here," he orders quietly.
"What's wrong?"
"Van that wasn't here before. Engine's running, but there’s no driver visible." He glances at the prospects. "Aren and Gorm, flanking positions. Anyone moves wrong, you cover Saga."
They spread out, moving with surprising coordination for guys so young.
Emil steps out first, hand on his gun, scanning the space.
I follow despite his order to stay, unable to stand waiting in the elevator like a sitting duck.
The garage is too quiet.
Even the usual hospital sounds—ambulances, cars, voices—seem muted.
My skin prickles with awareness, every instinct screaming how dangerous this is.
That's when I see it—movement in the van's side mirror.
A face, watching us.
"Emil—"
The van door slides open, and everything happens at once.
Gunfire erupts, echoing off concrete like thunder.
