Page 6 of Emerald Flame
When Julio once more started firing at the front of the building, Warren dropped to the floor again.
He crept toward Roberts. “Kiara’s almost ready for us. Let’s fire off a few final rounds then get to the roof.”
When there was a lull in the shooting, they rose up and let loose with another serious hard spray.
“That should do it,” Roberts said.
He took off and Warren followed. On the way, he grabbed the remaining two officers and the four of them raced up the stairs.
Kiara’s voice was in his head again.Almost at the roof.
A few seconds later, he was pounding up the stairs. Kiara was visible and waiting for them. When the four of them were on the landing, she told them to grab hold of her arms and prepare for some hurt.
The next few seconds felt like his entire body was being shoved through barbed wire. All of them shouted from the sudden, swift shards of pain.
But when the cloak surrounded him, she said, “You can let go of my arms, but stick close and follow me. Head straight up.”
Each pair of eyes was fixed to Kiara. The moment she began to rise, each man followed suit. When she moved faster, they tracked with her. She kept rising in a tight line up into the air. In the distance, lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled a few seconds later. But the storm was still at a distance.
Once they were fifty feet up, she drew everyone to a halt. “I’m going to take you out of the shield, but this is going to hurt. Try to keep quiet.” She didn’t say anything else. Instead, she began reversing the process and yet again, it was like getting put through several strands of barbed wire. All four men were cursing in low tones by the time she’d released them from the cloak.
Roberts gestured to the two officers. “You men head home. Now.” The men took off.
Roberts addressed Warren. “I’ll contact the Tribunal about this, though I don’t expect much support.” He turned to Kiara, “You saved our asses tonight.” He gripped her arm. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
He spoke to Warren once more. “You got a place you can stay through the day because Fergus called in just before you reached my office. It seems Julio’s got some of his men laying in wait at Caldion. Looks like the station was the first part of the plan. I’m guessing they’re after you.” He then turned to Kiara. “He could stay at your refuge.”
“You told him?”
“Earlier. At the station. You okay with me telling him?”
She glanced at Warren. “I am. Just wish you’d known all along.”
“Well, I know now.”
“You will be safe there. I’ve got it hidden behind a strong security spell.”
Roberts glanced around. “You’d better get going before Julio figures out what happened and starts searching the air. I’ll be in touch.” He nodded once then took off heading northeast.
Kiara took Warren’s hand and without asking permission, she once again pulled him into her cloak.
He shouted this time. “Why did you do that?”
Look behind you?
He turned and saw a force of ten men headed in their direction.Shit. Roberts said it exactly right.
Kiara tugged him in a straight-up direction. He followed her lead until they were both forty feet higher. Seconds later, the crew fired at their previous location.
She released his hand.My refuge isn’t far from Caldion.She turned in the air as she spoke and began to fly north.
He caught up with her and flew alongside her. He tried to picture where her refuge might be. He knew all the houses and their occupants in an eighth-of-a-mile radius around his compound.Where did you say your refuge was?
I guess I didn’t.
He heard it then, a strong hesitation, almost reluctance, but he wanted an explanation. It felt like betrayal to him. He would have stopped her midair to get an answer, but the monsoon storm was winding up and getting closer. Besides, he wanted as much space between them and Julio’s men as he could get.
