Page 94 of Even Angels fall
Is he like… the genius twin of Cassiopé?
“Just breathe, kiddo,” Brice tells him, and weirdly, it seems to calm Luc.
“Anything that can get us in and out without being seen?” Elhyor asks.
“If you know how to make fake fingerprints, contacts, and ears, you’ve got all you need,” I cut in. “The right question is where do you want to go, because it’ll determine whose identity we’re about to steal."
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Angélique
It turns out that—apart from my little identity theft idea—they didn’t really need me, and I’m pretty sure they would have come to the same conclusion as me quite quickly. Now, the only problem is that Elhyor and Brice seem to disagree on where we should go, and who needs to go, too.
I could volunteer, but I can see it in Elhyor’s eyes. He wouldn’t let me. Or at least not amongst the first to enter. I’m too recognizable.
I might have been some kind of a pariah amongst my kind since I shifted for the first time, but everyone knows me, or at least, knows what I look like.
That buzz-cut isn’t something you see very often on a woman, and my hair hasn’t grown a lot since I arrived at Notre Dame. I probably could wear a wig, but if I have to fight, the wig will go away—either on its own or because I’ll throw it—because it won’t be practical.
So, I’m out.
And so is Elhyor. As the only dragon-shifter in all of Paris—hell, in all of Europe—someone ought to recognize him.
Which leaves Brice. Or one of Elhyor’s warriors, but everyone in this room knows that Elhyor isn’t going to leave a mission like this in the hands of someone he trusts less than his right-hand.
Sure, he’ll send a few of his warriors with him, but Brice will be Elhyor’s eyes and ears in Versailles.
“I still think we should disable all their servers and communications,” Brice says for what feels like the hundredth time.
“No, you find Michaël first and you kill him,” Elhyor answers. Again.
I approach Elhyor. He’s tense, and his muscles almost vibrate under my hand when I wrap it around his forearm.
“Elhyor, I know you want to do that for me, but we’ve got more pressing problems. If we disable the communications, my father can’t turn on the device in Léandre’s head. He can’t ask for reinforcements, either. Which means you and I can go after him right when everything is in blackout.” My voice is soft, and I barely recognize it, but I can see the fire in Elhyor’s eyes, I have no clue what would calm him down and make him see reason.
I just need him to see things from my point of view.
I can deal with not killing my father tonight, but I’m not sure I can do the same if my best friend gets his brains blown out. Literally.
Except, talking to Elhyor calmly and softly doesn’t seem to be the way because he still doesn’t seem to be convinced. I release his arm and point my finger right in the middle of his chest. Right where I now know his heart is.
“You listen to me now, you infuriating dragon. I refuse to let my best friend’s brain explode, so if you still want a piece of my ass tonight, you better go with Brice’s idea and save Léandre,” I tell him, with all the sass I can muster.
Elhyor’s eyes turn molten and his hand closes over mine.
“Be careful what you promise,” Elhyor says, in what sounds like a growl, but is barely above a whisper.
And… When my own words register in my mind, yes, I know I’m blushing once again.
Well, what’s said is said. I better own it now.
“What? You think I won’t keep my word?” I ask with a bright smile.
Elhyor makes a noncommittal noise and turns to Brice.
“Let’s say we destroy their communications. How do you see things going?” he asks us, and finally, I see things going my way.
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