Page 14 of Winter Reckoning
“He’s not here for me. But I’m going to have fun being a thorn in his side.”
Nick murmured under his breath.
Charlene grabbed my hand. With only the panel illuminating the room, I could barely make out her expression. Her casual humor had all but vanished. "Don't let him fade."
I nodded and carried Nick toward the door. I stepped through the force field, Charlene following me onto the porch. Behind us, the cabin was a disaster. Frost coated every surface, and this once cozy home had been destroyed.
The wind hit as I crossed the yard with Nick’s head bobbing back and forth. I pulled Nick closer as we passed an immobile attacker. A guttural roar came from behind us, and I picked up my pace.
“Ready for round two?”
I didn’t look back. I reached my truck and shoved Nick in the passenger side. Climbing into the driver’s seat, I turned the key. It turned over but didn’t start. I heard… no…feltthe thumping of feet. With another turn, the engine struggled to start.
“Come on.” I couldn’t see out the snow-covered window. On the third attempt, the engine sputtered to life. I flipped it in reverse and put a hand to the rear window, sending a blast of cold through the glass to clear the snow.
Even with four-wheel drive, it struggled. Shoving my hand through the window, I gathered the cold and unleashed a pulse of energy. The snowbanks blew into the air, giving us a clear path all the way to the road.
A voice echoed across the field. "Vanguard won't save him. You're already too late."
Next came a primal cry, and I hoped Charlene drew blood. I didn't look back. Didn't stop. Just kept an arm across Nick’s chest, holding him in place until the tires hit the pavement. I had to get him to safety and regroup. Maybe I could call Alvarez for backup or reach out to the Centurions. Whatever wanted Nick, it had used magic older than time itself.
The front windshield cleared as I kept the gas pedal pushed to the floor. I sped toward Vanguard. What had I gotten myself into? More importantly, how was I going to get us out of it? Whatever wanted him wasn’t done.
Neither was I.
A new question formed. “Who the hell are you?”
6
“Grab the myth and go.”
I mumbled Charlene’s line just before we escaped. Her plea held the answer. Not solving the mystery ate away at me. I tried to convince myself that my fears were occupational. I wasn’t ready to admit how personal this had become.
Vanguard slept, still dark by city standards. Snow covered the sidewalks in undisturbed white. The streets were empty except for a single plow working its way through downtown, blade scraping against asphalt. It’d almost be beautiful if there wasn’t a magic-wielding killer somewhere behind us.
I drove with both hands locked on the wheel, basking in the chill from the broken window. Nick slumped in the passenger seat, barely conscious. His head rested against the window. Every few minutes, his hand flickered translucent, then solidified again. Each time it happened, my grip tightened. Even if we evaded the man… demon?… villain? did it mean he’d survive?
The safe house sat beneath an old administrative building turned into one of those self-storage centers. The Task Force had bought the first floor as a place to hide and regroup justfor situations like this. Unlike the cabin door, this one required three separate credentials to open. I pulled into the garage and killed the engine.
Nick didn't stir.
I climbed out and circled to his side. I should have been shivering from the cold. Instead, I could almost feel the ice flowing through my veins. I was still in fight-or-flight mode, and my body wanted a second round.
My breath hung in clouds. I opened his door and caught him before he could slide out onto the concrete. As long as he kept breathing, I had hope.
"Stay with me," I mumbled.
He made a sound that might have been acknowledgment. I snatched my duffel back before I got my shoulder under his arm and half-carried him toward the entrance. I pressed my hand to the right of the door, just like Charlene had with the woodshed. It glowed green while a needle pricked my pointer finger. Another panel opened, and I leaned in, letting it scan my eye. The door unsealed with a hiss of compressed air. I hauled Nick through and let it close behind us, the magnetic locks engaging with a loud thunk. We were safe… I hoped.
The corridor beyond was sterile and empty. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead. Our footsteps echoed against concrete walls. I moved as quickly as I could without dragging him. I finally hoisted him as if I were going to carry him across the threshold. Navigating the maze of hallways, we reached the main operations room.
The space was larger than the cabin’s living room but felt smaller. The overhead lights flickered to life. Here, there were no massive fireplaces and crackling flames. No windows to stare into the snow. Equipment lined the walls. I’d need to take inventory and see if the Task Force had anything in its arsenal for our friend.
The far wall had a desk with computers and a single cot. I had used this room twice before for witness protection. The greatest threat at that point had been boredom. I never thought I’d be back.
I lowered Nick onto the cot. He lay still, eyes closed, breathing shallow but still steady. His hand rested on his chest. I watched, trying to figure out what would make him flicker. Dimensional shift? Alternate realities coming into alignment? Without knowing more about him, I could beat every bad guy, and it still might not save him.
I dropped my duffel back on the desk and pulled my coat off, draping it over his chest. He didn't react. I adjusted it anyway, tucking it around him until only his face showed.
