Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [137]
I’m not sure, but at least Grayson knows I’m here. That might encourage him to hurry along with the body snatching. I’ve an unpleasant feeling that we’re running out of time.
Kali would argue the point, but I have the same feeling too. What’s next?
Is Fynn listening to you?
As best he can in his state.
Rosette longed to grimace.
Tell him to keep quiet and stay out of sight of the security cameras.
A little after the fact, but will do.
She hovered over Grayson and watched his aura jump. Again her thoughts wafted out towards the man and she let herself immerse in the memories of their intimacy—open, deep, passionate. It felt like years since they had touched and she allowed the backlog of desire to surface. Who knows, maybe it had been years, yet the sense of familiarity had not diminished as she mingled with the energy surrounding him. Gray? Can you hear me?
There was no answer, but the look on his face was one of reverie. ‘She’s here, in the room with us,’ he said. ‘I can feel her.’
‘I don’t know about that, but we’ll have more than her ghost in here shortly. We’ve got to move, fast.’
‘Why?’
‘Fire squad will investigate as soon as that footage is viewed,’ Everett said, indicating the surveillance camera. ‘They may send security too, if there were noise complaints. And there will be. I’d no idea how loud a dog could get.’
‘How long do we have?’
‘Fifteen minutes, tops.’
Both men were startled by a knock at the door.
‘Or less if they’re on patrol and get an instant divert.’ Everett waved Grayson aside as he swept the table clean, throwing the charred towel and burnt items into a cupboard. He scooped up Fynn, clamped his mouth shut and stuffed him into the backpack. Grayson grabbed it as Everett propelled them both into a closet. Rosette would have rolled her eyes, if she’d had any, when she slipped out into the hall to see who was there.
They’re worried about a little boy selling papers?
Not that, Drayco said, his voice on edge. The boy’s a decoy. Look down the elevator. Armed troops are on the way up.
Demons! What now?
Perhaps the doctor has something clever in mind.
I’m brewing up another summons, just in case.
Try not to incinerate them this time, will you? They won’t be much help if they’re cooked.
Good point.
But you better do something quickly, Maudi. The troops are here.
Rosette drew on the energy around her as Everett opened the door. He had a short conversation with the boy, bought a paper and was about to close the door when the elevator on the opposite side of the hallway rang and opened. Men with shields and fire extinguishers poured out, pushing the youth aside and knocking Everett back. They were heading straight towards the second room where Grayson hid.
Maudi, now would be a good time for that spell.
I’m on it, Dray. Eyes open. It’s going to get hot in here.
Grayson raced down the fire escape, the backpack digging into his spine. Everett was ahead of him, one hand on the metal railing, the other clutching a small computer case under his arm. The sound of his boots on the metal steps was like an alarm, clanging out a warning. There was no stealth in his movements, speed being the imperative. He hunched his shoulders every time an explosion erupted overhead, waiting for the muffled shouts and screams that would follow. They must be getting close to the ground floor.
Everett stopped suddenly, breathing hard. He leaned over the railing and looked down the shaft to the bottom of the stairwell, his face bright red and sweating. ‘We have to go back.’
‘Why?’ Grayson said, following his line of sight.
Everett’s eyes were wild. ‘We can’t get out this way.’
Grayson eased the tension of the backpack and indicated above. ‘It’s no better up there.’
Paint chips and rubble fell from the ceiling as another boom rocked the building. Grayson wiped his eyes.
‘The door we just passed,’ Everett said, retracing his steps. He raced up to the next landing. ‘It should lead to the service entrance. Come on.’
‘Should?’ Grayson asked, following on his heels.
Everett