Page 108 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
I refuse to answer directly, instead continuing my work with greater intensity.
"Standard earpieces stick out from the ear. Your hair falls past your right earlobe. Mission rules say equipment must be hidden from casual view."
"And here I thought you were just admiring the view." Her blend of confidence and playfulness makes my chest tighten. "Don't worry—I've already solved the hiding problem. This new version sits almost flat against the ear. Nobody would notice unless they're weirdly interested in looking in my ears."
I take the modified earpiece and examine her work. The redesign is impressive—much smaller, better battery placement, improved signal.
"This will work." My reluctant admission comes out gruffer than intended. "But changing standard equipment usually—"
"Breaks the rules, creates unexpected problems, and makes missions riskier." She finishes my sentence, perfectly copying my speech pattern. "I know the entire Asher Cross Rulebook by heart at this point."
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a second modified earpiece, holding it out with a softer expression. "Made one for you, too. Figured your boring regulation haircut wouldn't hide much, anyway."
I take the device without answering right away, but something tightens in my chest. She spent extra time making special equipment just for me.
She thought about what I needed. Considered me specifically.
The armory doors slide open, and Kade enters with his commanding presence, his massive frame filling the doorway.
"Weather report just came in. Storm getting much worse over the next two days. Heavy rain with possible power outages downtown."
My mind immediately starts calculating implications. "Communications could go down. We'll need waterproof backup equipment and extra ways to stay in contact."
"Already on it." Vanessa's fingers fly across her tablet. "I'm setting up backup systems that can use the city's emergency channels if needed."
"Is that legal?" Kade raises an eyebrow.
"Is anything we do?" She counters cheerfully, without looking up.
Kade's expression stays the same, but a small twitch appears at the corner of his mouth.
"Rain gives us more cover, but makes it harder to see and complicates getting out fast if needed."
My mind races through different scenarios. Vanessa navigating through crowds at a formal event in an elegant dress with no gear. Vanessa facing potential threats while I'm positioned to watch from a distance instead of protecting her up close.
Each mental image darkens my mood even more.
"Weather not meeting your perfect mission standards?" Vanessa nudges my elbow with familiar ease.
I don't answer right away, instead picking up one of the surveillance cameras to check if it's truly waterproof. The thought of her in danger makes my hands want to clench into fists, but I keep my movements controlled and measured.
"We'll continue preparing and adjust plans accordingly." Kade pulls up detailed weather maps with ultimate authority. "Vehicle routes might need major changes if streets flood near the venue."
As he outlines various backup plans, Vanessa bounces slightly on her toes, excitement and nervous energy radiating from her small frame. She catches me watching her and gives me a quick wink.
I return my attention to my gear, checking each item one by one with fresh resolve.
My living room has become a mission control center. Plans cover every surface, technical equipment fills corners usually kept empty, and Vanessa is once again in my personal computer systems—something I allowed without my usual security checks.
Outside, the storm pounds against my reinforced windows with growing strength, rain hitting glass in sheets lit up occasionally by lightning flashes.
"Storm's definitely getting worse." Cole doesn't look up from his tablet, fingers moving across the screen as he monitors multiple information streams.
"Air pressure has dropped significantly in the last hour." I move toward the cabinet where I keep emergency supplies. "Power failure becoming more likely."
My prediction comes true exactly sixteen seconds later when every light in the house goes out at once, plunging the room into complete darkness.
I've moved through this space blindfolded, to know where everything is even in the dark. My hands find the flashlights exactly where they should be—third drawer, right side, arranged by size and battery life. I hand them out efficiently.
