Page 41 of Bryce

“Sorry for what?”

“For tripping the bomb, of course. I should have thought—”

“No, no. You did what you thought would be best, what would help us. You have nothing to apologize for.” I patted his shoulder. “How do you feel about taking a flight?”

“A flight? I couldn’t possibly—”

“No, no. You wouldn’t be the one doing the flying. I would. Leslie would.”

I looked at her, sitting on the other side of the dwindling fire. “What do you say?”

“Do you think it’s safe?” Logan asked with a deep frown.

“I think nothing is more important right now than getting out of here. Far, far away. And never coming back.”

“They may know we’re here.” Bryce stepped out from where he’d hidden while dressing, looking and sounding grim. “We broke into the mansion.”

“We found so many things,” I added. “But there might have been a silent alarm. We need to go. It’s cloudy enough, without a moon to reveal us, if we stay low enough, we ought to make it without notice. You’ve seen how sparsely populated this area is. There are hardly any lights anywhere, from anything at all. I believe we have a good chance of making it. We must start out now.”

Leslie nodded. “I’m ready when you are.”

“Do you think you could make it?” I asked Gate, taking his hand. “I’ll be as gentle as I can. I promise.”

“I know you will,” he grinned. “I must say, it will be different not doing the flying.”

“Just hold on tight, and I’ll have you home in no time.” I stood, looking at Bryce. “What do you think? Can you handle riding me this time?”

“I don’t want to know what that really means,” Logan snickered as he put out the fire.

“There is no deeper meaning,” I smiled, rolling my eyes in spite of the blush coloring my cheeks.

“I think I can handle it,” Bryce decided with a grin. “So long as you promise not to do any tricks up there. I’ve never been prone to airsickness, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything.”

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