Page 87 of Taken

He frowns. “We didn’t get any—”

“Direct from Creed. You want to call and confirm while he’s on comms with leadership?”

The threat works. He steps aside, buzzing me through.

“You’d better get your ass down to the muster point,” I say over my shoulder as I move away from him. “He’s in a mood.”

The guard looks around for a moment, then gives a nod and sets off in the opposite direction.

Thank fuck.

The corridor to Lila’s quarters stretches before me, sterile and cold. I reach her cell and override the security panel with my clearance code. The door slides open, revealing her sitting cross-legged on her cot, eyes closed in meditation. They snap open at my entrance. There’s a bruise forming on her cheek, and her lip is split, but her eyes hold the same defiance they always do.

“Allard! What—?”

“Talon,” I say, suddenly needing the pretense to be over. Needing her to knowme. “My name is Talon Raize. But we cando the formal introductions later. We’re leaving. Now.” I cross to her side, scanning for anything she might need.

“Leaving?” She scrambles to her feet. “Now?”

“Creed’s planning to terminate you. Today.”

Lila’s eyes widen, but she moves with surprising speed, reaching my side as if she’s been waiting for this moment. “There’s a phoenix—”

“I saw. We’ll discuss it once we’re clear.” I take her elbow, steadying her. “Can you walk?”

“I’ll manage.” Her voice is stronger than I expected, determination hardening her features. “What about your mission?”

“That’s you. You’re the priority.”

A ghost of a smile touches her lips. “Never thought I’d hear that from anyone in this place.”

We move into the corridor, Lila’s steps uneven but determined. I explain in hushed tones: “Extraction team waiting northeast. Most security diverted to main hall. We have minutes, not—”

Footsteps echo from around the corner. Heavy, multiple sets. I push Lila behind me as four guards appear, weapons drawn.

“Reeve.” The lead guard’s eyes narrow. “Interesting place to be during a facility-wide assembly.”

I straighten, summoning Allard Reeve’s authority. “Asset transfer. Direct orders.”

“Bullshit.” He raises his weapon. “Creed’s been growing increasingly suspicious of you. Said you ask too many questions, show too much interest in the witch.”

My hand hovers near my holster. “Stand down. This doesn’t have to get messy.”

“Hand her over, and maybe you walk out alive.”

“Not happening.”

The first shot misses my shoulder by inches. I draw and fire in one motion, dropping the lead guard as I shove Lila toward cover. The corridor erupts in gunfire.

I take down a second guard before pain explodes in my arm. Blood soaks my sleeve as a slug wings me. The remaining guards advance, confident in their advantage. I feel scales start to ripple in anticipation of a shift, even though right now, being a dragon in these tight corridors wouldn’t be an advantage.

Suddenly, Lila steps from cover, hands extended. The air crackles with energy as one guard slams against the wall with invisible force. But she’s weak—the effort drops her to one knee.

“Stay down!” I shout, firing again but missing as my target ducks and rolls.

Another guard aims at Lila’s exposed form. I lunge, afraid I won’t reach her in time. We’re outnumbered, and she’s weak.

Fuck! If only I’d had more time to prepare.

---