Page 99 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
Suddenly, Noviosk turns to me.
"Sam will be brought back here soon. I doubt she has access to any showers in that lab. We’ll need to make sure no one bothers her while she cleans up," he says.
But I barely register anything beyond that first sentence.
Sam’s coming back.
I’m going to see her again—after all these years.
How’s she going to react? How amIgoing to react? Will I manage to keep it cool? Maybe whatever chemistry we had back then has faded with time... That would actually be a blessing, especially in this place where keeping a clear head is a matter of survival.
“You listening?” the Srebat barks.
“My hearing’s perfect, don’t worry about me,” I shoot back.
What was he saying again? Oh, right. Sam’s coming. And she’ll need a shower.
Fantastic. Now my brain decides to sabotage my emotional detachment with the image of her naked in the shower.
I rub my temples like that’s going to help erase the thought. Nope—total failure. Vlad might’ve been right. Maybe I should’ve let him take this mission.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Stay calm. It’s just a reunion, after years of silence, distance, carefully buried memories. Nothing more. She’s probably moved on. I just hope it’s not with Noviosk!
What a stupid thought—but it still makes my blood boil.
Before I can talk myself out of it, the door slides open with a soft hiss.
Two guards step into the hangar—and then I see her.
Sam… my blond firecracker, more beautiful than ever.
Time freezes. I’ve found her, at last.
But finding her isn’t enough. I still need to get her out of here, and that part’s far from easy.
She looks exhausted, troubled. Her eyes scan the room and land on Noviosk, towering above everyone else in the building. Without hesitation, she heads straight for him.
A sharp stab of jealousy hits me.
Does she even know who he is? That he’s responsible for Logan’s death? That he used to run Vagantu?
Then, suddenly, her gaze swings to me—drawn to me, like she can’t help it. And her face lights up.
It’s raw, instinctive. Like a beam of sunlight cutting through storm clouds.
And that smile… That’s no polite smile. It’s something deeper. Something that comes from her gut. A smile that radiates the joy of seeing me again.
She hesitates, unsure whether to let on that she’s recognized me. I nod, unable to speak, silently giving her my okay.
She takes a step toward me… then another.
And then she throws herself into my arms, right under Noviosk’s watchful gaze.
Is it just me, or is he grinding his teeth?
“You’re really here!” she breathes, like she can’t quite believe it.
“You weren’t exactly easy to track down! What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?”
