Page 62 of The Warrior
“Do you want to take a shower?”
“I’m already fully dressed.”
“Right, but maybe you should have a cup of coffee or tea at least.”
“Magni, you’re trying to stall for time, but it won’t make a difference. I’m meeting the others in a few hours and I want to get going.”
We put on our jackets in silence and walked side by side to the drone. Frost on the grass gave sound to our footsteps, but no words were said between us.
Only when we were at the border did Magni speak. “What can I do to make you stay?”
“If all goes well, I’ll be back later tonight.”
“Until you decide to leave again.” His remark was dry and bitter.
“Magni, I know we have a lot to discuss…”
He cut me off, his voice shaky. “Promise me that this is the last time I’m taking you to this fucking border.”
“I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Thenpromiseme,” he said between gritted teeth.
“We’ll talk about it when I’m back.”
“Laura, you’re killing me,” Magni exclaimed and backed up a step. Light from the drone fell on his face, and looking into his blue eyes, I saw deep sadness. Mila’s words resounded in my mind:Magni cries on the inside.
“Do you have your safety gear?”
“Yes.”
“Weapons?”
“I’ll be fine. Magni, try not to worry about me.”
His nostrils expanded and he heaved in air like he was in physical pain.
“I’ll call you later.”
A vein on Magni’s temple popped out, and I figured the way he buried both hands in the pocket of his jacket was his way of keeping from dragging me back to the drone.
“I’ll see you later.” I only took three steps before I turned around and went back to hug him goodbye.
Magni was stiff and only gave me a brief squeeze. Maybe giving me a tight hug would have made it harder for him to let go.
“Be careful,” he whispered against my hair.
“I will.”
Once we landed, there were a hundred and three steps from his drone to the border. I know, because I counted them to distract myself from the overwhelming need to turn around and see if Magni was watching me.
When I reached the crossing, I couldn’t stop myself from looking back. Magni stood on the hilltop in front of his drone, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on me.
Catching Devlin will prove to Magni and everyone else that I’m a force to be reckoned with. I have to do this!
After waving one last time at him, I crossed the border, determined to keep my promise. If I’d known how my encounter with Devlin would go later that day, I wouldn’t have left the Northlands.
CHAPTER 17
