Page 68 of Unmasked Prophecy

“I’m sorry. It’s worth nothing, I know, but I am sorry. I need you to know I never wanted anyone to get hurt. When you see her, when you hear her little voice, I know you’ll understand.”

A low growl leaves his throat, and he steps forward, curling his hand around the back of my neck and pulling me against him. His lips close over mine and he kisses me with an intensity that makes my knees buckle. Releasing me, he keeps his face close as he growls, “Do not fuckin’ die on me, you hear?”

I swallow and nod. “I’ll try.”

He steps back. “Let’s do this.”

Yes, let's.

17

My heart is a steady thrum as we move in through the fence, Talon close behind me. The compound is dark, but overhead lights still shine enough that if we aren’t careful, we will be seen. I worked this perfectly for when I know the elders are having dinner. The kids come after them, so Miriam will be watching them in the main area. Lily should still be in the medical tent, at least, that’s what I’m hoping.

I point to the left, whispering low. “There’s a camera on that corner. Another one by the main eating area. We cut through here, we can get to the back of the medical tent.”

Talon nods, his eyes sharp, calculating. He moves with the kind of precision that comes from years of practice, and I'm grateful for it. He's a shadow, a ghost, and I follow, my breath tight in my chest. We duck behind anything we can, keeping as low as possible to ensure the cameras don’t pick us up if we accidentally trigger one.

We use a line of trees to get closer to the medical tent, and I point in the direction, my mind racing as I try to remember where the cameras are. I know this place. I can do this. Closing my eyes, I take a deep, shaky breath and then look around, seeing one right away.

“There’s another one,” I murmur, pointing up. “Just there, but I think that’s the only one here.”

We rush in the direction the camera isn’t pointing, my feet silent on the dirt, my heart a wild drumbeat in my ears. We cando this. We will do this. I promised Lily, and now it is time to keep that promise.

Then I hear it.

A voice.

Talon reacts before I can even process it, pulling me behind an old shed, his hand over my mouth as we crash back against the wall. He presses me close, his body a shield, his breath hot against my skin. I hold my breath, clenching my eyes shut, praying he was quick enough.

“Did you hear that?” a voice calls, closer now, and I hear footsteps approaching.

“Thought I saw somethin’ move,” another voice answers, rough, familiar. I bite back a gasp.Cyrus.

“Check it out.”

Talon’s grip tightens, and I know he’s got his gun ready, know he’s prepared to do whatever it takes. I can hear the footsteps nearing, and my heart feels like it stammers to a stop. The footsteps pause, and I know they’re close, too close. The seconds drag, and I feel Talon tense beside me, ready to fight, ready to run.

Come on, just give us this.

Then, the voice calls out, “There’s nothing. You’re hearing things.”

They move away, the footsteps fading into the night. Talon releases me, turning me to face him. “We need to be quick. If they hear us again, we’re done.”

I nod.

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