Page 107 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
The holographic display shifts to show face after face, and our focus shifts accordingly. But my awareness remains split. Monitoring new intelligence while acutely conscious of Vanessa beside me, her shoulder occasionally brushing mine as she examines data with characteristic intensity.
Just volunteered to put the most critical variable in my life directly into hostile territory. Then lost the argument to stay close to her.
The mathematics of this situation don't compute. With Vanessa, they never do.
Cold air hits my face as I walk down to the underground armory. Each step takes me deeper into Level B4. The familiar smell of gun oil, electronics, and cleaning solvents grows stronger, oddly comforting.
I arrive twenty minutes early. Standard procedure.
The door slides open at exactly 8:00 AM. Vanessa bounces out of the elevator, balancing a steaming coffee mug and her ever-present tablet. She pulls her dark hair, streaked with bright pink, back into a messy bun that somehow looks both chaotic and purposeful.
"Morning, Asher!" Her energy fills the quiet space. "Just worked with Cole for the past three hours. That man is seriously thorough, like, scary thorough. I've been up since four fixing the face recognition software to work with Winchester's security, which is way better than their password security would suggest..."
She pauses to breathe while setting her mug down right beside my neatly arranged equipment.
I move the mug three inches to the left without a word.
"I set up the basic equipment for testing." I point to the devices spread across the metal table. "First-time field operatives need to check everything works properly."
"I'm not exactly basic though, am I?" Vanessa picks up one of the standard earpieces, turning it over with curious fingers. "This design is ancient—give me fifteen minutes and I can make it way smaller while improving battery life and signal."
"That change isn't necessary—"
But she's already at the next workbench, pulling tools from drawers with surprising confidence. Her hands move with unexpected accuracy for someone who usually can't stay still.
I return to my careful inventory, checking each surveillance camera for battery, signal strength, and weather protection. The steady, predictable process helps keep my mind clear—checking specs, writing down readings, making adjustments.
Vanessa works at the other end, muttering to herself while simultaneously talking through her phone earpiece.
"Cole! Perfect timing with your call." She takes apart the earpiece while speaking. "Quick question about your security code. It's seriously elegant, but I think there might be a weak spot that someone else could find first..."
She keeps talking while her hands never stop working, creating a controlled chaos that grabs my attention more than the orderly equipment on my table.
"No, not like that." Her cheerful argument flows through the phone. "If you change the startup, you'll get better battery life while actually making the signal stronger—sounds weird but trust me on the math."
I test the signal on the fourth camera.
"The equipment works fine as designed." My voice stays level. "Changing things adds risk."
She rolls her eyes dramatically. "Did you hear that, Cole? Asher thinks your design is just 'fine.' That's like the harshest criticism possible from Mr. Perfect over there."
I ignore her comment and reach for the next piece—a thin microphone designed for close-range listening. As I extend my hand, Vanessa reaches for the same device.
Our fingers brush unexpectedly.
Electric current shoots up my arm, completely disrupting my concentration. For a moment, everything narrows to the feeling of her skin touching mine—warm, soft, sending signals through my body that have nothing to do with the mission.
Vanessa pauses too, her rapid conversation with Cole suddenly stopping as she looks up at me with those dark eyes that seem to catch every little detail.
I pull my hand back first, breathing carefully to hide my reaction. "Take it. I'll check the glasses instead."
She studies my face a moment longer than necessary, that playful smile at the corners of her mouth suggesting she knows exactly what effect that touch had.
The face recognition glasses need my attention. I run tests while my brain works through math problems designed to restore my calm.
"You know, you've been watching my hair a lot lately." Vanessa's teasing tone carries across the space between us.
"What else about me have you been analyzing, Frost?" There's a teasing lilt in her voice when she says my call sign.
