Page 76 of Sergi
He nodded. “And it’s a pleasure to be able to say that again.”
“They’ve already tried breaking through?”
Cadfael nodded. “Yes, but they didn’t stay long when they realized the gas they dropped dissipated before reaching us. When the first three guards were shot, and the wolves finished them, they discovered they required a better plan.” He turned to Sergi. “You need to go now.”
Sergi nodded. “I’m on my way, but I didn’t want to go before checking in. If it becomes too dangerous to hold this level, get everyone down to the third level. In fact, it probably wouldn’t hurt to move some of your supplies down there, just in case. If they turn off the air, the back door will be your only source. And if necessary, you can leave that way. I know some of the shifters don’t have the stamina for the journey, but it might be necessary.”
Cadfael laid a hand on his shoulder. “A military man through and through. I appreciate your support.”
Sergi copied the gesture by placing a hand on the Alpha’s shoulder. “Stay alive. It’s time for everyone to go home.”
Cadfael glanced at Alex. “I only have one request. Take Alex with you.”
Sergi shook his head. “It’s too dangerous with the wild shifters.”
“Which is exactly why you need me.”
He turned, surprised by her siding with Cadfael. His dealings with Cressa and Ginger should have prepared him for this. He wanted to argue and had a few sentiments he was wise enough not to share. It didn’t have anything to do with her being female. He wouldn’t have questioned the request had it been Simone or Bella, but he knew their abilities. They trained together and knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Alex might have appeared weak, hiding behind the submissive female persona. but she’d risked everything to help him. He’d be a fool not to consider someone Remus was willingto send on a dangerous mission. And while he understood shifter behaviors, it might come in handy to have a wolf by his side.
He turned to Carlos, who’d been silently watching. “What about you?”
Carlos shook his head. “They need all the help they can get. I’ll wait for backup.”
He nodded and shook both his and Cadfael’s hands before turning to Alex. “You need a change of clothes before we go unless you plan on remaining in your wolf form.”
She nodded then hugged Carlos and Cadfael. “You better both be alive when we return.” Then, not waiting for Sergi, she raced down the hall toward the guards’ quarters.
With a quick nod to the shifters, Sergi ran after her, but she surprised him when she slowed at the stairs that went down to the third level. She stopped long enough to see he followed then disappeared down them.
She was going to the guards’ quarters on the third level. It made sense since they would be leaving that way. He jogged behind her until she ducked into a supply room.
“There should be extra uniforms, maybe a jacket or two.” She laid the lab coat aside and immediately got naked before pulling on a guard’s uniform.
He should have looked away, but it was impossible not to take note of her lean, muscular frame. A year as a prisoner, and she’d been able to retain some of her muscle tone. Most likely a perk from her wolf. She rolled up the bottom of the pants and used a belt to cinch the waistline. She put on two shirts and grabbed a coat that wouldn’t provide any protection against the cold but was at least waterproof.
She tried on several boots until she found a pair that appeared to fit once she’d pulled on two pairs of thick socks. She stomped around the room, getting comfortable in the boots and clothing. “This will do.”
While she’d been dressing, Sergi found a backpack and stuffed it with supplies. A couple cans of food, nutrition bars, a can opener, two flashlights, and an emergency survival kit. One of several on the shelf. The last items to be stored were four bottles of water.
“Ready?” he asked.
She nodded and followed him out the door and down the hall to the mechanical room. The shelving was where he’d left it, pushed aside several feet from the hidden door. He didn’t stop as he pulled it open, the cold air blasting his face. He didn’t look back, sensing Alex was only two steps behind him as they followed the bends of the tunnel, the bright sunlight urging them on the farther they progressed.
When he reached the end of the tunnel, he slowed as he stepped up to peer out at the forested landscape. A few patches of snow remained at the base of trees where the sun couldn’t reach it.
Alex stepped up next to him, and she lifted her head and sniffed the air.
“Anything out there?” he asked.
“Not for the moment.”
Sergi scanned the perimeter one last time then stepped outside with Alex behind him. It didn’t take long to find a deer trail heading down the mountain, and he increased his speed to a jog. After a few minutes, he stopped to check on Alex, and though she was right behind him, tears ran down her face.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
She nodded and gave him a small smile. “It’s just been a long time since I’ve seen the sky.”
