“I’ll stop and eat a worm along the way.”
“Aspen, I don’t like this.”
“This is how it has to be. You’re needed here. And not to sound dramatic, but if nine o’clock rolls around and I’m not back, don’t let Oscar send anyone to search for me. If I’m not back by then, it probably means I’m dead. You’ll need every last Shroud to stay put and defend this sanctuary. You can come for me later, once the battle is over.”
Tora was silent. Since she couldn’t see Tora’s face, she had no idea what she was thinking or feeling.
“If I don’t make it back,” she went on, “promise me you won’t let Oscar call the shots. You’ll need to take command because he won’t be able to lead. He’ll be obsessed with finding me and will stop at nothing until he does. You can’t let that happen. You have to be the one to keep your head in the game.” She waited. “Promise me, Tora.”
“I don’t know if I can do that.”
“You’ve shown me you can. You’re logical, rational—”
“Not when it comes to you,” Tora said. “I can’t think straight when you’re around.”
“My point exactly. Correct me if I’m wrong, but when I go to the surface, my pheromones come with me. Your logic and reason should return without me around.”
“Is that all you think I am? Logical and reasonable?” Tora sounded offended.
There was no winning with this woman. “I think that’s all you think you are.” Aspen knew this wasn’t the time to open this particular can of worms, but she couldn’t help herself. Tora had extended an invitation for the truth, and she wasn’t about to walk away from that. “You’re holding on so tightly to who you think you need to be that you’ve forgotten who you really are. I already know there’s so much more to you than logic and reason. I’m not falling in love with a robot. I’m falling in love with you, Tora.”
There was a long silence. “You’re much better at pep talks than me,” Tora finally admitted.
“No kidding.”
Aspen caught sight of a platform as they drove past. A crimson sign with a golden eleven was framed in the center of the rock wall. “Thought you said we were stopping at entry point eleven.”
“I changed my mind. Now that we don’t need to access the underground garage, our new destination is entry point twelve. Once we arrive, you and I will part ways. You’ll ascend to the surface alone through a series of tunnels and doors. I’ll disengage the locks remotely, one at a time. There’s a pressurized release valve at the surface for moisture regulation in the tunnels. We’ll have to time it perfectly, but I can manually override the release valve to synchronize with you as you shift. When the moisture from the tunnels is expelled, it’ll create a white cloud of condensation. This should act as a smoke screen and provide you with some cover when you shift, in case the SEA has the area under surveillance.”
“That’s my girl.” Aspen smiled to herself. “Now all I need is your word that you’ll take over command if—”
“You have my word,” Tora said, cutting her off. “Once you shift, we won’t be able to communicate through the earpiece anymore.”
“What about when I get back?” With Mrs. B in mind, she was choosing to think positive.
“All you have to do is shift back to human form, and the earpiece will be there.”
“Where?”
“In your nose. Where else?”
“You just made your first joke during a tense moment. I’m definitely a bad influence…and very proud of you.”
“I’ll keep my earpiece in until you get back. I’ll be waiting here at five in case you’re early.”
“Can we ride back together?” When Tora didn’t answer right away, Aspen wondered if she’d pushed too hard.
“Only if you promise me one thing,” Tora said finally.
“What’s that?”
“Make it back in one piece, and you can have anything you want.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.”
If that wasn’t motivation to stay out of the SEA’s crosshairs, she didn’t know what was.
* * *
Tora talked Aspen through the maze of tunnels and chambers until she reached the final door leading to the surface. She had mixed feelings about this new plan. Part of her saw the logic in staying behind, but another part of her wanted more than anything to be by Aspen’s side for the duration of this mission.
If SEA soldiers breached the sanctuary while she and Aspen were away and something happened to Michael, the rest of Alpha Genesis wouldn’t stand a chance. She and Michael were the only Shrouds familiar enough with the sanctuary to track an impending attack. By doing so, she hoped they could stay a step ahead of the soldiers and keep them at bay.
Realizing this didn’t make her feel any better about sending Aspen into enemy territory all alone. But they’d come this far. No turning back now.
“You still there?” Aspen asked.
“Still here.” She took a deep breath to steady herself. “This is the last door. Once it opens, you’ll climb twelve metal rungs anchored in the rock wall. There’s a red button near the top rung on the right. A circular hatch will slide open when you push that button. The pressure release valve I told you about is located aboveground, beside the hatch. You’ll need to shift the second that hatch opens. Wait until the white cloud drifts over the opening, and then fly out as fast as you can.”
“Copy that.”
“Let me know when you’re ready to push the button. I’ll trigger the release valve at the same time.”
“You know me. I’m good at pushing buttons,” Aspen said.
She hesitated, her finger poised over the watch face. One swipe and Aspen would be on her way, possibly never to be seen or heard from again.
“It’ll be okay,” Aspen assured her. “I’d say I’ll do everything humanly possible to make it back, but I’m a Shroud so I can’t say that anymore. I considered saying I’ll do everything Shroudly possible to make it back, but that just sounded so dumb in my head. Sounds even dumber out loud.” She paused. “Is dumber a word?”
“I’m scared to lose you, Aspen.”
“Like, really, really scared?”
Tora smiled. “Yes.”
“Is now a good time to drop the mother of all bombs?”
“Definitely couldn’t be further from a good time.”
“When you and I did the naked thing—”
“Are you referring to our melding session?”
“Yeah, that. When you and I did the naked thing, I had a vision.”
She shook her head and sighed. “Did this vision involve my boobs?”
“You were in a hospital bed, giving birth to our baby.”
Tora was so stunned she didn’t know what to say.
“My point is, I don’t think I’ll be kicking the bucket anytime soon.”
“Not to burst your bubble, but—last I saw—you didn’t have the proper equipment to get me pregnant.”
“That’s another thing I learned from the book you gave me,” Aspen said. “Apparently, female Myriads have the power to impregnate a same-sex partner. How cool is that?”
“You’re making this up.”
“It’s true. I swear on the earmuffs.”
“Finding that book is the first thing I’ll do when I get back, so you might as well fess up now or those earmuffs are mine.”
“I left the book on the nightstand. Go ahead and look it up.”
This was unexpected. Even though she’d never planned on having children, she found herself excited about the prospect of becoming a mother.
“You might want to get cracking on finding a solution to that postpartum hemorrhaging thing. Just sayin’.”
“I’ll take that under advisement,” she said sarcastically. “Is it too late to renege on the offer I made?”
“About giving me whatever I want when I get back?”
“Yes, that.”
“Sorry, no backsies. My life is still in per
il.”
She sighed. “Fine.”
“You planning to open this door or what?”
“Be careful, Aspen.”
* * *
Aspen climbed the metal rungs, counting silently as she went. This was it. Now or never. She imagined the theme from Rocky in her mind as she reached up to skim her fingers across the surface of the red button.
“Found it,” she whispered.
“On three,” Tora said. “One…two…three.”
As the hatch opened and daylight claimed the dark space, she shifted into a bay-breasted warbler. She’d studied the tiny bird in agonizing detail the night before. Aspen couldn’t see herself in a mirror, but instinct told her she’d pulled it off convincingly enough.
Spreading her wings to get lift, she waited for the white cloud to drift over the opening and then flew up and out at full speed. Airborne, she watched from the sky as the hatch slipped back into place. The surface of the hatch was white, perfectly camouflaged by the snow-covered ground. Was there anything Tora and her father hadn’t thought of?
She pumped her wings furiously and flew for the cover of several tall furry pines standing guard nearby. This bird body felt so light and fast. The wintry air was cool and refreshing beneath her wings. She knew the temperature outside was somewhere in the single digits, yet she hardly noticed it at all inside this body. Her downy feathers served as insulation against the cold. Now she understood why down comforters and jackets were so warm.
No sign of the SEA. She considered doing a sweep of the area but decided what little information it would yield wasn’t worth the risk. Her mission was clear: get to their headquarters, gather intel, and return as quickly as possible. She just hoped these little wings were round-trip ready.
Hopping from branch to branch until she had a clear view of the landscape below, she positioned herself facing north and spotted the highway in the distance. She’d read that the average speed of a small bird was about twenty-two miles per hour. Tora had said it was a forty-mile trip. If all went well, she should make it to Chittenden in just under two hours.
Hoping her workouts over the years had prepared her for this journey, she took a deep breath and extended her wings. Here goes nothing.
* * *
With Skye in mind, Tora made a quick pit stop to grab her laptop on her way back to chamber one. She greeted Miller, entered the passcode, and stepped through the opening at the rear of Aspen’s bedroom closet.
“That was the quickest mission in Shroud history,” Skye said as Tora quietly made her way into the bedroom and shut the closet door. The newborns were still sleeping soundly on the bed. “Where’s Aspen?” she asked, standing up from the chair with a look of alarm.
“She decided to go on the mission alone.”
“And you let her?” Skye said with an accusatory tone.
“I had to. Her reasoning made sense.” Tora shared what she and Aspen had discussed about Tora having to remain at the sanctuary.
Skye chewed her lip nervously. “I don’t like her being out there alone.”
“Neither do I.”
“I could’ve gone with her. She said I’d be too easy to spot as an owl, but I could fly up high so no one would see me. And when we got to SEA headquarters, I could’ve just hidden in the trees and kept an eye on things until she was done.”
Tora watched as Skye struggled to accept Aspen’s decision. It was clear Aspen had already earned this girl’s love, loyalty, and respect. A pretty amazing feat, considering everything Skye had been through in her short life. That said a lot about Aspen, but it also said a lot about Skye.
“It’s not too late, Tora. Take me to the surface. I’m a fast flyer. I can catch up if we leave now.”
“We need you here, honey. You’re too special—”
“And Aspen’s not?”
“Of course she is.”
“You don’t even like her.” Skye narrowed her eyes. “I bet you couldn’t wait to get rid of her.”
Tora sighed, studying the scared young woman before her. “Sit down, Skye.”
Crossing her arms defiantly, Skye took a seat.
Tora retrieved a chair from the corner and sat beside her. “I do like her.” Wondering how much she should share, she remembered Aspen’s earlier advice. None of that robo-doctor stuff. Skye doesn’t respond to that. Just be real with her. She cleared her throat. “I’m in love with Aspen. Sending her on a dangerous mission alone was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’m just as scared to lose her as you are.”
Skye uncrossed her arms, met Tora’s gaze, and sat up straighter. “You are?” she asked, clearly surprised.
Tora nodded.
“Does Aspen know that?”
“She does.”
“I’m sorry for what I just said. That was really stupid of me.”
“It’s okay.” Tora reached out to squeeze Skye’s arm reassuringly. They both gazed at the sleeping newborns in silence. “How are you with computers?”
Skye shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”
“A little birdie told me you’re better than okay.”
“Would that little birdie be Aspen?”
“She said you figured out the passcode to get inside her bedroom when I was delivering Hope at the hospital.”
“That was just a lucky guess.”
“Well, I have a job for you. It’s complicated, and there’s a huge learning curve, but I think you can handle it.” Tora pushed up her sleeve to show Skye the touchscreen on her watch. “This is what controls the entire sanctuary: electricity, tunnel torches, entrances and exits, temperature regulation, the alarm system—everything. Michael and I each have one.” She unzipped a side pocket on the laptop’s carrying case and withdrew a watch identical to hers. “He’s the only Shroud I’ve ever trusted enough to give this to”—she handed the watch to Skye—“until today.”
“Wow.” Skye gazed at it reverently. “I don’t know what to say. You really trust me with this?”
“I do. But there’s a lot of information to cover. It’s going to take some time to review.” She pulled her laptop out of the case and flipped it open. “Are you up for this?”
Skye grinned. “You bet I am.”
Chapter Twenty-six
Still airborne, Aspen had been flying for about an hour and a half and guessed she was at least two-thirds of the way there. She was passing over Rutland when she felt a presence above her. She turned her head slightly to see what it was and realized, too late, that a hawk was diving straight toward her. The hawk was swooping in for breakfast and she, in her little bird body, was on the menu. Judging from the speed of its approach, she couldn’t outfly the hawk—it was much larger and faster than she was. She didn’t have time to take cover anywhere as it was now just feet from her, talons extended. Her only defense was to shift in midflight.
She assumed a hawk’s body and watched as her likeness slowed its descent, retracted its talons, and regarded her quizzically. It flew alongside her for long seconds before veering off in another direction, seemingly convinced that breakfast would have to be found elsewhere.
She shifted back into a bay-breasted warbler as soon as the coast was clear, hoping she was high enough off the ground for the sudden change to go unnoticed by anyone below. It was important that she maintain the body of this smaller bird. A larger bird, like a hawk, was sure to grab the SEA’s attention.
Flying was a lot easier than she’d ever imagined. She was actually starting to enjoy herself a little. At a steady altitude of five hundred feet, her view was spectacular.
She had never spent much time in Vermont. The landscape was truly breathtaking. Pristine white snow blanketed the ground and clung to the bare branches of maple, oak, and birch trees. Towering pine trees with snow-covered needles jutted up into the skyline like proud older siblings.
From her vantage point, Vermont resembled a wintry wonderland. The feeling of freedom was intoxicating. All things felt possible. Everything was within her grasp
. This war that the president insisted on waging seemed finite and incomprehensibly foolish from up here. Flying, she decided, put all things in perspective. Every Shroud should be able to fly. She felt a sudden longing to share this incredible experience with Tora.
She flew on for another fifteen minutes and arrived at what she assumed was her destination. A twenty-foot-high electrified fence, topped with barbed wire, encircled the entire property. She’d sensed the electrical current in the air from over a mile away. It vibrated through her body like loud music.
Increasing her altitude slightly, she flew along the property’s perimeter to familiarize herself with the layout. The building in the center of the property was massive. At twelve stories high, it was wider than it was tall. The corners of the building were rounded, giving it an odd oval-shaped appearance. Every surface of the building, including the roof, was covered in mirrored glass. SEA personnel almost certainly had a crystal-clear view from inside the building, but all Aspen could see from the outside was her own reflection.
After several sweeps from above, she realized there was no place to safely land on the building without being noticed. Maybe her best bet was to land on the ground outside the building, search for an entry point, and go from there. She started her descent and caught sight of three black Suburbans with tinted windows. They were all flying the American flag.
The vehicles slowed to a stop in front of the gate. Two armed guards flanked the first Suburban in line, unlocked the gate, and swung it open to allow the vehicles entrance. Instinct told her this was her chance. The plan was risky and full of holes, but she couldn’t waste time perfecting it. She realized this is where she and Tora were different. Tora would be reining her in right now, cautioning her against doing anything rash.
Without giving it further thought, she folded her wings and dove toward the ground. The sudden acceleration gave her an adrenaline rush. She extended her wings at the last second to land softly on the ground behind the last Suburban in line.
That was fun. Now what? She couldn’t simply hop onto the roof and hitch a ride inside. The guards would definitely take notice of an avian passenger, no matter how small. She needed to hide under the car, which meant she had to climb into the car’s undercarriage somehow. Time to come up with another animal fast.
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