Page 76 of Lion's Share
Dr. Rosenthal approached us slowly, her two remaining agents flanking her. They all looked shell-shocked, struggling to process what they’d witnessed only a minute earlier.
“Ms. Lowell,” Dr. Rosenthal said after a long pause. Her voice wavered, and if I hadn’t known she was the one speaking, I would have thought it was someone else. “What we just saw…it challenges everything we thought we knew about the world.”
“Good,” I replied, leaning against Ben’s solid warmth, grateful beyond words that he’d been there for me even through all the craziness. “Maybe now you’ll think twice before trying to weaponize things you don’t understand.”
She was quiet for a long moment, studying my face in the dim light filtering through the forest canopy. “The readings we just took — they’re unlike anything in our databases. The energy signatures alone….”
“Will be classified and filed away where they can’t hurt anyone,” I said, glad that I sounded so firm, even though my knees were shaking and I was pretty sure I would have gone over in a heap if Ben hadn’t been holding me up. “That’s what’s going to happen, Dr. Rosenthal. Because the alternative is that I make sure no electronic device within fifty miles of Silver Hollow ever works properly again.”
It wasn’t an empty threat, and we both knew it. If I wanted to, I could make their lives very difficult.
Dr. Rosenthal’s cool gaze flicked to the unicorn, which had remained in the clearing, watching our exchange with ancient patience. “And that creature?”
“Goes back to coming and going peacefully in the forest, the way he and others of his kind have done for generations,” I said. Then I added, thinking of Victor Maplehurst’s violent end, “Assuming he’s left alone, of course.”
The unicorn dipped his head slightly in what might have been acknowledgment, then turned and melted back into the shadows between the trees.
“The portal site,” Dr. Rosenthal said next. “Our readings suggest the dimensional barriers have stabilized, but — ”
“But nothing,” I cut in, not caring how rude I sounded. “The barriers are stable, the threats are gone, and Silver Hollow can go back to being a quiet little town where the most exciting thing that happens is the annual holiday parade. That’s what you’re going to report to your superiors.”
She looked like she wanted to argue, but something in my expression must have convinced her that doing so would have been pointless. Still, she couldn’t seem to help asking, “And if other threats emerge? Other dimensional anomalies?”
“Then I’ll handle them,” I said simply. “That’s what guardians do.”
She nodded slowly, and I could see her making mental calculations, weighing the benefits of trying to force my cooperation against the very real dangers of antagonizing someone with my abilities.
“Very well,” she said after a long pause. “My official report will state that the electromagnetic anomalies were caused by unusual geological activity that has since resolved itself. No ongoing threat to public safety.”
“Good choice,” Ben said dryly.
Dr. Rosenthal signaled to her agents, and they began to back out of the clearing. But at the edge of the treeline, she paused and looked back.
“Ms. Lowell,” she called out. “This isn’t over. There are things in this world — in other worlds — that pose genuine threats to national security. Someday, we may need your help.”
“And someday, I might choose to give it,” I replied. “But that will be my choice, Dr. Rosenthal. Not yours.”
She gave a curt nod, then disappeared into the trees along with the two remaining men on her team. Within a minute or so, we could hear their vehicles starting up and heading off toward town, leaving Ben and me alone in the clearing.
“So,” Ben said after the sound of engines had faded completely. “How does it feel to save the world?”
I chuckled, surprised I had the energy for even that much. “I didn’t save the world. I just protected my little corner of it.”
“It looks like about the same thing from where I’m standing.” He gazed down at me, expression now very serious. “Do you think they’ll actually leave us alone?”
“I hope so,” I said. Sure, I’d been able to see into the woman’s mind, but that didn’t mean I knew everything. “But even if she backs off permanently, there might be others. There always are.”
“Well, when that happens, we’ll deal with it.”
The confidence in his tone made me smile a little. “You’re a good guy, Ben Sanders.”
Once again, he bent down to kiss me, only this time, he merely pressed his lips against my forehead. “Can you walk? Or should I carry you out of here on piggyback?”
I couldn’t help laughing again at that mental picture. “I think I can manage…as long as you let me hold your hand the whole way.”
“It’s a deal.”
As we began to walk toward Silver Hollow, the clearing behind us settled into peaceful silence, the portal site stable and secure once more. The compact between worlds had been renewed, the guardian tradition restored. And somewhere in the otherworld, a griffin was finally home.
