Page 103 of Heart of Dawn
James went first, inspecting a screen with glowing green numbers on it.
“Please make your floor selection,” the voice said. “You have, full access.”
Generic instrumental music piped from tiny speakers in the ceiling, creating a false sense of shopping center.
Cate rolled her eyes.
The blood-splattered elevator was big enough to hold all of us with plenty of room for more.
“Ready?” Miko asked once we were all inside.
We were ready.
James pressed the button for floor twenty.
“You have selected, floor twenty,” the voice responded.
The doors closed, the elevator beginning its descent.
I held Real Miko’s hand, resting my head on his shoulder. This might be the last pleasant moment for a while. But not the last one ever. No, no, no. With six other Mikos in play, he would be getting out of this alive. No ifs, buts, or negativity.
So why did my doubt return, a noose around my neck waiting to hang me?
Ugh. Why did it have to be so mean?
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
MIKO
If I thought too hard about my replicas, I’d give myself a migraine.
I lived in a world of magic, with Faery magic being on another level. That’s all the pill I needed to swallow.
Orion held my hand tightly, his soft skin making my heart work harder. His presence got the blood flowing like rapids, my soul responding with pure giddiness.
But right now, he was more of an anchor than a distraction. Never. His sexiness wrapped in cherry ribbons was my support system carrying the promise of future snuggles.
I lifted his hand to my lips, planting a kiss on his knuckles.
He responded by kissing mine.
“What are you thinking?” I asked softly, not caring about the other ears around us.
“Trying not to,” he answered. “It lets the fear in.”
God, what a cutie.
“Stay close to me,” I said.
“Ditto, Mr. Robot.”
“Am I still a robot?” I kissed his hand again.
“A yummy one, yes.”
I ruffled his hair gently, then twisted myself to kiss his forehead.
“Sorry about my smell,” he said.
