Page 85 of Only a Breath Away

“Tomorrow at the lake house we’ll put you on a stool in the kitchen with Zach and let him explain everything.”

He ignored me and asked, “What’s the story?”

I watched it for a moment. “This one is about the battle happening in the outer provinces.”

His eyes swept around the image and I wondered if he could actually see it or if it was too abstract. “What is that dark thing up there?”

“That’s a drone, they fly around filming the video, or they can shoot—”

“I have seen one before but I daena remember where.”

There was a loud explosion on the video, he winced. “The whole thing hurts m’head and m’eyes.”

“Yeah, I remember what it was like, but maybe we can just sit quietly for a moment?”

He was quiet for a moment, then he asked, “But how does it fly?”

“What, the drone?” And we were off again.

* * *

We left for the rooftop to jump to Maine.

Lochinvar had the Bridge in a messenger bag; we had decided tae put it in a safe house in the twenty-first century.

We arrived at night, and Zach, Quentin, Fraoch, and James, met us. “Welcome back Katie.”

I pushed my hair out of my eyes. Magnus was already sitting up.

Quentin asked, “Why is your arm in a sling, boss?”

Magnus winced and explained, “There was this terrible man, he cut me.”

Fraoch said, “In an arena?”

“Nae, in the courtyard of Stirling, he was mouthin’ off and wouldna calm his arse down. He was askin’ tae be run through, but I was tryin’ tae be nice, and then he cut m’shoulder. I had tae fight in the arena with a wounded shoulder.”

Fraoch said, “Twill teach ye tae be nice.”

I mumbled from my jump hangover, “Tell them his name.”

Fraoch said, “Who was it? Ormr, Domnall? Some other arsehole?”

Magnus said, “Nae, twas William Wallace.”

Quentin said, “I met him! He helped me, I trained him in modern warfare.”

“Aye, that is why he wanted more guns, he cut me because he demanded them.”

Quentin grimaced. “Shit, that sucks.”

“Aye, but I killed him. Ran him through with a sword. He dinna remain dead?”

“Nae, he is still a major player in history.”

Magnus exhaled irritatedly. “Well, I got Kaitlyn back.”

“Then you came right here?”

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