leaned in to study the wires. His movements sure and economical, he reached in the pack for a box and leads to attach to the wires, and then keyed in several commands on the face of the box. “If we can disengage this without explosives, we’ll have a better chance of making it across that clearing.” Cold-weather warfare was the Viking’s specialty. A small beep came from the box.
Ronan put his back to Adare. “The second they know we’re here, they’ll call for backup from the main Cyst facility to the west. Remember to set your watches for ten minutes—that’s my guess on how long it’ll take for reinforcements to arrive.”
They’d be so far outnumbered at that point that it wouldn’t matter. “We can get it done in ten minutes,” Garrett said grimly.
Ivar removed the leads and replaced the provisions in his pack. “It’s disengaged. We go over and not through. All set.”
Adare didn’t wait. He stood and jumped straight up, tucking and rolling in the air before landing on the soft snow and sinking down on the other side.
Then he waited. Nothing happened. No sirens, no alarms.
His brothers followed suit, all landing near.
Ivar handed out goggles. “They’re set to detect land mines, but the snow might conceal the glow, so proceed carefully.”
Adare pulled his goggles over his head, tucked his gun at his waist, and dropped to his belly. The ice chilled his skin, and he ducked his head down, using his other senses to keep him heading forward. Any movement, any lifting of his head, might alert guards in the control room.
Only the wind and falling hail could be heard. His brothers moved as silently as he did. If he didn’t sense them, he wouldn’t have known they were there. Even the younger members, Garrett and Logan, had been exceptionally trained.
He’d never be able to thank them enough.
The closer he got to the buildings, the stronger he felt the pull of his mate, and the stronger he became.
Finally, he edged out of the snow and crab-walked to the first metal building, not surprised to find his brothers in step with him. He reached for explosives in his pack, setting them along the perimeter. These ones would work. “Let’s get in as far as we can before lighting up the world.”
Then he took a deep breath, stood, and turned the corner around the building.
A guard looked up, gasped, and lifted his weapon.
* * * *
Grace finished wrapping the napkin around her bleeding wrist, trying to send healing cells to the injury. Nothing happened. She really needed some time to figure out this immortal stuff. Still on her knees, she patted Benny’s face. “Ben? Wake up, now. I need your help.”
His breathing seemed to deepen, but he didn’t twitch a muscle other than that.
“How was dinner?”
Grace swung around to see Yvonne on the other side of the glass. The woman had changed into designer jeans and a sparkly top with fur-lined boots. “What do you want?” Grace stood to face her.
Yvonne craned her neck to look beyond Grace. “I was just curious whether he was awake yet. I’ve never seen a hybrid blown up before.” Her blond hair curled naturally around her shoulders, and intelligence shone bright in her eyes. Or maybe that was insanity.
Grace tilted her head and studied her. Really studied her. The air wafted around her, not sparkling but not clear. She had an aura of shadows, light gray, maybe silver. Interesting. “You said you were the chosen. What exactly does that mean?”
Yvonne arched one eyebrow. “How do you not know your destiny? Everything about all of us?”
She’d been kind of busy healing from a coma and living her life for the last five years. “Maybe you didn’t interest me before now.” The shadowy sparkles were certainly intriguing. “There are many enhanced females, three Prophets, three Keys, but only one Chosen? I don’t think so.” She moved closer, going for the body blow. “If I had to guess, and I do, then I’m thinking you’re one of many hoping to be chosen.”
Yvonne’s smile held certainty. “Cute. Trying to make me angry, are you?” She flicked a piece of invisible lint off her cashmere sweater. “I don’t mind talking to you, Grace. We were kind of friends for a couple of days.” She tucked her hands in her jean pockets. “I had fun.”
Fun? Grace stepped even closer. Was the woman lonely? It had to be difficult living with Kurjan soldiers all the time. “You don’t have to do