Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 131364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
• • •
Adam glanced at Dorian when the DarkRiver sentinel landed the leopard pack’s jet-chopper at the hospital that had helped save Eleri’s life, and where Saffron Bianca and Yúzé Kanagawa were being held. “Thanks for this.”
Odd as it was, especially given WindHaven’s business interests, not many winged changelings were pilots—they liked flying on the wing, not inside machines. Flight tests for the business were done near universally by human or non-winged pilots.
His eyes hidden behind aviators, Dorian said, “We’re allies—we might even become friends, though I make no guarantees about my cat not swiping at your feathers every so often.”
Adam grinned, caught off guard by the quip. While the two of them had met multiple times, this was the longest period they’d spent together at a stretch, and he was starting to realize that the cool-eyed sentinel happened to be a man he’d enjoy calling a friend. “Long as your cat remembers that this bird has serious talons.”
Dorian’s cheeks creased before he pulled off the aviators, his tone turning serious on his next words. “You thought about how we’re going to take these two back? Bianca is violent, and we only have room for two in the back—I don’t like the idea of you back there with her while I have Kanagawa in the front. He could snap without warning.”
Adam had been considering that, too. “When I spoke to Sophia, she said they don’t want to drug Saffron because in her state it could have a catastrophic cascading effect.”
Dorian nodded. “I get that. Our little boy is Psy, so we have to protect him even from over-the-counter stuff changelings wouldn’t think twice about.” The affection of a father in his voice. “Sophie give you any other option?”
“One of the Es at the facility can nudge Saffron into unconsciousness—basically forcing what Psy do naturally when they go in for surgery.” Per Sophia, the Es didn’t like to do it because it fostered distrust in their already disturbed patients, but they were willing to make an exception this time because Saffron was locked in a fear-and-panic spiral that they couldn’t break.
Anything that might help was better than that.
“Her unconscious state should last long enough for us to get her to Bram and Eleri. I’ve also got restraints as backup.” He didn’t like it, but the risk of Saffron causing a crash if she woke agitated was too high to chance leaving her free. “From the sounds of it, Yúzé is nonresponsive and probably won’t even notice; hopefully he’ll sleep through it.”
The doors from the hospital to the rooftop landing space opened up, a man in a wheelchair being brought out. He was followed by staff shepherding a hover gurney. Adam and Dorian both jumped out to get their passengers inside and restrained. As advised, Yúzé was a doll who moved if given physical direction, while Saffron was unconscious.
The E who’d come with the team had a bruise blooming on the right side of her cheek. “It’s not her fault,” the middle-aged woman said. “She panicked when she realized what I was about to do, struck out.” The E stroked her fingers over Saffron’s red hair. “I hope you forgive me, sweet girl.”
There wasn’t time for further conversation, the clock on Saffron’s consciousness already on a fast countdown. They took off the minute the staff were clear, and Adam was tense throughout the flight—especially when he heard Saffron make a sound about twenty minutes out from the Canyon.
“She’s starting to come out of it.”
“Fuck. I’m already pushing this thing as fast as I can. Let’s hope we make it.”
Chapter 48
I am distressed whenever I consider the shape of the world did the changelings not exist. Humans and Psy, we are equal in our arrogance that we understand the natural world—while the changelings, who are closer to it than we will ever be, are ever its guardians, and humble in their belief that it holds countless secrets.
—Foreword by Professor Sera Shi to Of the Wild by Professor J. Sidorov (BlackEdge wolves) (1964)
Eleri heard Saffron before she saw her friend and sister of the heart. The other woman was screaming obscenities and threats of violence, her rage amped up to the extreme.
Eleri waited right by the doorway, her entire soul hurting for Saffy. The other woman had been the brightest and sweetest of them, a little girl who rescued ladybugs and stepped around marching ants, until the reconditionings shattered things inside her.
Adam appeared out of the darkness of the cave tunnel with Saffron clamped in his arms, Saffy’s own arms restrained to her sides. The restraints had no doubt added to Saffron’s panic, but seeing her, Eleri understood it had been a necessity.
As it was, she was kicking her legs as hard as she could, though Adam’s strength as he held her tight meant she couldn’t do any damage.