Page 115 of Taken

She nods, determination hardening her features. “Let’s go.”

The service tunnel is exactly where I remembered—a narrow passage used for maintenance access to the external air filtration systems. The security panel flashes red when I swipe my credentials.

“They’ve revoked your access?” Hargen asks, tension lacing his voice.

“Standard protocol for non-compliance. Looks like Viktor doesn’t trust me,” I mutter, pulling out a small device. “Good thing I came prepared.”

I connect the device to the panel, watching as it cycles through override sequences. The seconds stretch, each one bringing us closer to discovery.

“Hurry,” Lila whispers, glancing down the corridor. “Someone’s coming.”

Footsteps echo, growing louder. I press the device harder against the panel, willing it to work faster.

“There,” I breathe as the light flashes green. The door slides open and we slip through just as voices round the corner, the door closing behind us with maddening slowness. We hold our breath, listening. The footsteps continue past without pausing. Relief washes through me.

“That was close,” Hargen says.

The tunnel stretches ahead, dimly lit and rarely used. We move quickly, following the slight upward incline toward the surface. After twenty minutes of careful navigation, we emerge onto a snow-dusted landing pad where emergency transport helicopters wait.

“Which one?” Lila asks.

I point to the smallest, fastest of the fleet. “That one. Less traceable.”

“You can fly a helicopter?” asks Hargen.

I roll my eyes at him. “I’m a dragon, Hargen. I can fly fucking anything.”

I’m halfway through pre-flight checks when the door to the hangar slides open. Zoe emerges, walking directly toward us with purpose in her stride.

“Shit,” Hargen mutters, reaching for his weapon.

“Wait,” I caution, holding up a hand.

Zoe stops several feet away, her expression unreadable in the dim light. “Really, Talon? Stealing a helicopter? That’s your exit strategy?”

“Not stealing,” I correct. “Borrowing.”

She sighs, then reaches into her jacket. Instead of a weapon, she pulls out a small device.

“Scrambler,” she says, tossing it to me. “It’ll buy you an hour before they can track the chopper’s signature.”

Surprise ripples through me. “Why?”

Her eyes meet mine, years of shared missions and quiet trust reflected there. “Because I was there when we found the intel onwhat the Syndicate did to her. And because Viktor’s timetable doesn’t account for human emotion.” She glances at Lila. “And I’m a mother too.”

“Thank you,” Lila says, genuine gratitude in her voice.

Zoe nods once. “I was never here. And Talon? Viktor’s going to nail your hide to the wall for this.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” I reply with a grim smile.

She melts back into the shadows as silently as she arrived.

“Let’s move,” I say, finishing the pre-flight sequence. “We’re on borrowed time.”

The helicopter lifts into darkening skies, banking sharply away from the Outpost, heading toward Seattle. Toward Elena. Toward whatever waits for us there.

“Think they’ll follow?” Hargen asks as the Outpost disappears behind us.

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