“Sure thing. I … wow.” Beaming, the waitress scribbled on the pad, then stepped back and started to turn away.
“Hey, Carlie?” Sawyer said. “I think my friend would also like to eat.”
She turned back, blushing. “Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry!” she said as she smiled at Naomi. “I mean … well, you know. You’re here with him. That’s so awesome.”
“Yes. Awesome,” Naomi managed, and smiled back. “Well, I … huh.”
“What can I get for you?” Carlie said.
She could only stare at the girl. She honestly had no idea, hadn’t even thought about food. Some date she was.
“She’ll have the stacked chicken enchilada,” Sawyer said smoothly, collecting both menus and handing them to the waitress. “Thank you, Carlie.”
She giggled again. “This is so cool. Sawyer Volk knows my name,” she said, half to herself. Then her beaming smile returned. “Hey, uh … I hate to bother you. But do you think I could bring a couple of the girls around, maybe get your autograph? And, um…” She blinked shyly. “Maybe a picture?”
“Absolutely,” Sawyer said. “Bring on the girls.”
“Oh my gosh, really? Thank you!” The waitress scurried away, clutching the menus to her chest.
Naomi blinked after her, shook her head and turned back to Sawyer. “Well. That was exciting,” she said. “Does that happen often?”
“All the time,” he said with a good-natured groan. “I thought the movie star thing was bad, but this? Being a Knight is a whole new level of crowd-pleaser.”
She smiled. “It can’t be all bad,” she said. “Everyone loves you.”
“No, they don’t.” His mouth twitched slightly. “They love the idea of me, of what I stand for. Which is exactly how it’s supposed to be. The whole thing is engineered that way.” Bitterness edged his tone, and sighed and stared into the distance for a moment. “No one knows me.”
Despite the rollercoaster of the past few days, her heart ached for him. She understood why the Darkspawn man had said he’d risked so much to protect her. They arrested, or occasionally executed, normal people who sympathized with the rebels. She couldn’t imagine what they’d do to a Knight.
On impulse, she reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. When he looked up in surprise, she said, “I think I’d like to know you. If you don’t mind.”
His smile was slow to come. When it did, it made her pulse race in ways she hadn’t felt for years. “I think I’d like that, too,” he said. “If you’re sure.”
She knew he meant more than a personal level. Knowing him was dangerous, for both of them. But she was willing to take the risk. “I’m sure.”
Maybe Aileen was right. She still loved Roger dearly, always would.
But it could be time to move on.
CHAPTER 51
The Badlands
August 13, 8:04 p.m.
It wasn’t exactly a vision. More like a strong feeling — no images or cryptic symbols, but enough to convince Noah that they should take this shipment, and that they needed Teague there. He still didn’t like it, because there was something awful tangled up in the feeling. A thread of pain and deep sorrow. But his contacts had confirmed this was the real deal: Two double trailers stuffed with HeMo, southbound for Cheyenne.
Now he just had to convince the rest of them to go for it.
He’d sent Teague to the practice room so everyone could speak freely. They were gathered around the long table in the main cavern, and he’d told them about the shipment — time, location, the sheer size of it. He also tried to explain the not-quite-vision, though it wasn’t something he could articulate well.
So far they seemed … reserved.
“We’re going to need everyone on this,” he said. “So—”
“Does everyone still include me?” Indigo interrupted. She sat next to Silas at the far end of the table, on the stool Oscar made to accommodate her wings. “I mean, I know the city’s out, but this isn’t city. And I’m getting pretty good with these things.”
“If by ‘good’ you mean only crash-landing two out of three times,” Silas said.
Indigo huffed. “You wanna see a crash landing?” she said, her wings unfolding with a flump like spreading sheets. “I’ll crash you right through that chair.”
“Let’s try not to murder the furniture.” Noah said with a smirk. “Yes, you’re included. But I want to make this clear. If any one of us isn’t in, we’re all out.”
General muttering responded, and Darby gave him a critical look. “That usually means there’s something you haven’t told us yet,” she said.
“Well, there is.” He sighed, still not sure how to convey this. “It’s the vision,” he said. “I know we have to be all-in — and yes, that means Teague too. But.” He held up a hand to quiet the grumbles, mostly on the friendly side. “I also know that something is going to go wrong.”
This time there was silence and worried stares. “How wrong?” Peyton said. “Are we talking too wrong for me to fix, or…”
“I don’t know.” Noah looked at them all in turn. Diesel expressionless, Blake and Darby vaguely angry, Peyton blanching, Oscar fretting. Sledge and Isaac, grim but determined, Silas and Indigo somber, their mild sibling rivalry forgotten. “Maybe the mission fails, or only partially succeeds. Bad intel or something else. Maybe someone gets hurt. Or dies.” The last few words came out rough. “It could be anything. That’s why we’re not doing this unless everyone agrees.”
Silas squeezed Indigo’s hand, and Sledge and Isaac exchanged glances. “But you know we should do it,” Sledge said. “Right? No matter what happens, this mission strikes them a serious blow.”
Noah nodded slowly. He actually suspected it was crucial, that it had something to do with the key to bringing Julian down. But he also had the sense that whatever happened wouldn’t look like a victory, even if it was. Attempting to explain all that would complicate and confuse things. So that left the black-and-white choice — take a pass on the attack, or carry it out and suffer the consequences, knowing there would be consequences.
This had to be a conscious decision on everyone’s part.
“All right,” Diesel said. “I’m in.”
Blake snorted. “Course you are. You’re indestructible,” he said, and then smiled. “What the hell. Me, too.”
“Well, if slingshot boy can take it.” Darby smirked. “I’m in.”
Sledge let out a grunt. “Two more for what the hell,” he said. “Me and Captain Dust Storm, here.”
Darby leaned in and waved at Isaac. “Are you gonna let him talk for you like that?”
“Yes.” Isaac gave a crooked smile. “I’m in.”
“You know I am,” Indigo said. “If I don’t get out of camp soon, I’m gonna go stir-crazy.”
“And she’s not going anywhere without me,” Silas added.
Peyton breathed out carefully. “I’ll go,” she said. “If we already know something’s going to happen, at least I’ll be ready for it.”
Everyone looked at Oscar.
“Ay, dios mio. Why’d you leave it up to me?” he grumbled. “Fine. I’m in.”
“Are you sure?” Noah said. “I don’t want anyone feeling pressured to agree.”
His scowl eased up. “Yeah, I’m sure. I got a fun new thing I want to try out, anyway.”
“Ooh, does it explode?” Darby said.
“Sometimes. But it’s not supposed to.”
Laughter and groans rippled around the table, and Noah knew the decision was made. They’d go for it.
Even if he wasn’t sure he wanted to.
CHAPTER 52
The Badlands
August 13, 8:41 p.m.
Teague had just finished a set of hanging sit-ups and was getting ready to run the obstacle course again when Noah and Diesel came into the practice room, looking grim. The meeting must not have gone well. Her heart sank — but not as much as she thought it would.
She’d b
een having second thoughts ever since she told Noah about the ‘shipment.’ And third, fourth, and fifth thoughts. She trusted Julian, but she also trusted Noah and Diesel.
They trusted her. But that would’ve changed if they went through with this. She’d prefer to find a different way back to Julian.
At least, she thought she wanted that.
She crossed the cave to them, swiping an arm across her forehead. “So that’s a no-go, huh?” she said, hoping they’d pin her breathless tone on the workout.
“Actually, it’s a go.” Noah gave her a stern look. “Provided someone promises to keep the casualties to a minimum.”
Surprise kept her from responding. She’d been sure that look meant they’d decided not to attack the shipment — the trap, she thought with a shiver — but they were going for it. And she really wasn’t sure she liked this idea anymore.
“Teague? I was kidding.” Noah’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
She shook herself. “Nothing. I just thought … that didn’t look like your yes-face.”
“My ‘yes-face’,” he repeated with a smirk. “Didn’t know I had one of those. Anyway, it’s more my ‘okay, but’ face.” He and Diesel exchanged a glance. “I told the rest of them, and now I’m telling you. I had a vision—”
“Wait. You have visions?”
He sighed. “Yes. Can I finish my sentence?”
“Sorry.”
“Thank you.” Noah bowed his head briefly. “The vision wasn’t as clear as I’d like, but the important thing is, I know something’s going to go wrong,” he said. “I have no idea what. This mission is a big step in the right direction, I’ve seen that, but … it’s not going to seem like it. Whatever happens, it won’t be a win in the traditional sense.” He paused, frowned. “Does that make sense?”
Once again, she was at a loss for words. But this time it was to make room for hope. It did make sense — it sounded like the negotiation would work. A big step in the right direction, but not a traditional win.
Apparently Noah’s vision made more sense to her than it did to him. But she couldn’t clarify it, or it would never happen.
“Are you even listening to me?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.” She managed a smile. “It makes sense.”
“Good, because I want everyone to agree before we do this. And everyone includes you now,” Noah said. “Before you answer, keep in mind that whatever goes wrong could be very wrong. As in dead wrong, for someone.”
“All right.” She paused, but only because he expected it. She’d already decided, since she knew exactly what was going to go wrong. Not death, but a chance at life … for everyone. This could be the first step in ending the fight between BiCo and the Darkspawn, correcting Julian’s more excessive policies, finding a balance. Actually saving the world.
She only wished it didn’t have to mean not seeing them again, because after this, she’d have to go back with Julian. There was no other outcome for her. But it would be okay. They’d be safe, and Julian was what she wanted.
Wasn’t it?
She closed her eyes against the indecision that tried to bubble back. This was the right move. It had to be — Noah’s vision had confirmed it.
“I agree,” she said. “Let’s do it.”
“I guess it’s unanimous, then.” For a second she thought Noah looked less than certain, but the look passed quickly. “We head out tomorrow night, five o’clock. That’ll give us time to set up a block ahead of the shipment route. Diesel’s going to fill you in on the rest of the plan.” Noah looked past her, at nothing. “And I’m going to try to understand my own head. Again,” he muttered. “See you in an hour or so, man.”
Diesel nodded. “Thank you.”
“Any time.”
As Noah turned to go, Teague called his name. “Hey … did you ever have any visions about me?” she said.
He shrugged. “Don’t think so.”
“But you could?”
“Conceivably.” He laughed, but it wasn’t very cheerful. “I’ve had visions about all sorts of shit. Just never the one I wanted. And most of them are bad news, so … you know. It’s loads of fun.”
Diesel gripped his shoulder, and he gave a tired smile before he walked from the cave.
As Teague watched him, a whole new set of concerns formed. More than ever, she knew the meeting had to happen tomorrow … and she had to go back to Bishop.
Before Noah had a vision that she was a Knight.
CHAPTER 53
Talbot Home
August 13, 9:35 p.m.
Once Naomi got over the initial strangeness and discomfort, dinner with Sawyer was actually nice. Maybe even fun, though she wasn’t sure she was ready to call it that yet. But now that he was in her house, on her couch, her nerves were flooding back.
There were no witnesses here.
She handed him the mug of coffee she’d brewed with the rarely-used Keurig and sat down with her tea — also on the couch, but with a good deal of space between them. “I hope that tastes all right,” she said. “Haven’t used the machine in a while. I usually make coffee when I get to work.”
“I’m sure it’s fine. Thank you.”
She blew on the tea, mostly to stall. There was a lot she wanted to talk about, but she didn’t know how to start. Or if he could talk about anything. “You’re sure it’s all right for you to be here,” she said after a moment. “I mean, you said you needed an excuse…”
“Yeah. That’s what the date was for.” He gave a rueful smile. “If anyone’s keeping tabs, they’ll think I came here to … you know.”
“I do?” She frowned slightly, and then heat flooded her face as she realized what he meant. “Oh. That.”
“Don’t worry, though,” he said. “You won’t have to give me that much cover.”
A very small, very vocal part of her, emboldened by the wine, almost wanted to. She ignored it. “So you think someone is keeping tabs on you?” she said.
“I know they are. I just don’t know who, or how much.” His features were set and unhappy. “But your place is clean, so we can talk here. A little.”
“Clean?”
“Free of bugs, wards, illusions. That’s why I scanned it last night.” He sighed and stared at his hands. “That’s also why I said I’d snap your neck. For the benefit of anyone who might be listening,” he said. “I’m sorry about that.”
And here she’d thought that nothing could possibly make her feel better about having her life threatened. At least he had a good reason. “Well, thank you,” she said. “I’m glad I don’t have to worry about anyone spying on me.”
“Actually, you do. Because they are.”
She blinked. “Didn’t you just say you checked my place?”
“I did,” he said. “After I figured out they were monitoring your calls.”
Her first reaction was a desperate attempt not to connect those words to Scott, to his repeated insistence that it wasn’t safe to call him. But it didn’t work. Her hands were already shaking, and she practically shoved her tea mug on the coffee table before the hot liquid could spill all over her. She tried to cover her mouth, but a wrenching gasp escaped before she could. “Oh, God,” she said in a voice she barely recognized. “I killed him…”
“No. Naomi, you didn’t,” Sawyer said gently. “They’d been planning that for at least a week. They only started monitoring your calls when he contacted you.”
She heard him, but it was too late. The horror of it all, the realness of it, had finally hit her, and she was going to break down.
In fact, she already had.
She was aware of nothing but the abyss of grief and terror surrounding her, drowning her, for what seemed like a very long time. When she came back to herself, it was to a confusion of warmth and darkness. Comforting arms, her face pressed against someone. Roger, she thought, and nearly slipped back into the abyss again when she had to remember that her husband was dead.
It was Sawyer’s
arms around her. Sawyer’s shirt soaked with her tears.
Instantly mortified, she flinched and pulled back. “I’m sorry,” she said, making a futile attempt to wipe herself off. “That … shouldn’t have happened.”
His face was carefully blank. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I’m not in the habit of bawling all over … people I’ve just met.”
“You mean strangers.”
She shook her head, but it wasn’t very convincing.
“It’s fine, really. I am still a stranger.” With a faint smile, Sawyer reached for the box of tissues on the coffee table and held it out to her. “Who’s Roger?”
“Oh, Lord. Did I say that out loud? Thank you.” She grabbed a few tissues, then a few more, and tried to sort herself out. “Roger was my husband,” she said. “He passed away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Sawyer’s gaze moved to the picture on the wall. “That must be him. Was it Year One?”
“No. It happened before the … dragons.” Fresh shivers moved through her. Dragons would forever remind her of Scott, and she couldn’t take another outburst like that. She was already wrung out, fraying around the edges. She needed to focus on happier memories. “Did you know him?” she said. “Scott, I mean. Not my husband.”
Sawyer frowned briefly. “Not well, but I did meet with him once. Tried to convince him to join … others like him. Somewhere safer. He wouldn’t go, so I’d just check in on him from time to time.” He blew out a breath. “He might still be alive if he’d listened. But he insisted this research of his was crucial, and he said he couldn’t do it anywhere else.”
“Sawyer, it was crucial. It still is.” Her heart wanted to break all over again, but with understanding. Scott had sacrificed his life to find out what he had. And no matter how dangerous, she was going to see through what he’d started. “I think he may have found a way to stop the Eclipses,” she said, a new thread of excitement in her voice. Scott hadn’t put it that way, but she’d just realized that was where his research could lead.
In the Shadow of Dragons (Aftermagic Book 1) Page 26
