High Flyer - Michelle Diener Page 0,52
was closed.
He tried the handle but just as Vras had confirmed, it was locked.
“Hana.” He knocked softly and called as loudly as he dared.
He heard the sound of movement beyond, and then the handle rattled.
“Iver?”
She didn't sound herself, and the tension in him ramped up with worry for her.
“Yes. Can you open the door?”
There was silence for a moment, and then he heard a thump, as if she'd hit the door with her fist. “No.”
Her tone was anguished. As if she had somehow failed.
“It's all right. I'll get you out. Stand back.”
The door had a mechanical lock, a DNA sniffer or electronic system probably wouldn't work here, so he would have to find something to lever it open, and he didn't think there was anything like that in the main room.
Besides, they didn't have time.
He kicked out, hitting the door just under the handle, and heard a crack as part of the door gave way.
He kicked again, and with a pop it opened.
In the muted glow of the handlight, he could see Hana leaning against a bed, her dark hair sticking to her damp forehead, face flushed, eyes too wide and glassy.
“You came.” She took a limping step toward him, and he closed the distance between them and held her close for a moment.
He could feel the heat of her fever.
“Any medication we should take with?”
She nodded and stepped out of his arms. He handed the light to her and moved back toward the broken door while she searched.
Kicking the door in had sounded over-loud to him, and he strained to hear any noise from the main room.
“Ready.” She was shoving medication into her pack, which they must have allowed her to keep with her.
Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.
“Can you walk on your own?”
When she nodded, he took her pack and the light from her, and moved out into the passage.
She limped after him, holding onto the doorway for support.
He didn't miss the sound of her quick intake of breath as she followed him out into the reception area.
“Do you need me to carry you?” He moved back toward her, tried to scrutinize her face in the gloom.
“I'll tell you if I do. I promise.”
Her eyes glittered in the light, and she shivered.
He gave a reluctant nod, but if she could manage on her own, that would leave him free to fight if they were discovered.
He waited a moment beside the entrance, listening, and then looked at her.
“Not at my usual level of hearing,” she said, voice trembling a little.
He gave a nod, took another moment to listen, and then eased the door open.
The cool night air blew in, and he stepped out, holding the door for Hana.
“This way.” He headed toward the wall, waiting for Hana on the camp side and then lifting her over.
Her skin was hot to the touch and for a moment he wondered if he was doing the right thing taking her away from medical help.
“Did I tell you how happy I am to see you?” she whispered as he swung over to join her.
He pulled her closer, just for a single beat of time, brushing a kiss on her sweat-damp hair, and then swung their packs onto his shoulders. “I guessed.”
“Let's get as far from here as we can.” Her voice sounded a little stronger now, as if leaving the camp had lent her strength. She looked back, but there was nothing to see but darkness, and Iver didn't explain about the shield.
There'd be time for that later.
He took her hand and led her toward the river, deeper into the Spikes.
Hopefully, Tillis and Barre were long gone.
Chapter 20
Hana woke in Iver's arms again.
She could get used to this, although if she were honest, she'd prefer a soft bed inside four walls, rather than rocky ground under an overhang.
The sun was just rising, lighting the sky above them with pinks, oranges and reds--another type of shadow fold, a mirror of dusk the day before, although not quite as spectacular, with the sun coming from the opposite direction.
She moved her foot carefully, wriggling her toes, and felt a sharp pain run up her leg, but it wasn't as bad as it had been.
She was better now she was away from the camp. Much better.
The first gentle fizz in her blood happened as soon as Iver had lifted her over the wall. She'd felt her upgrade wake up, sluggish but thankfully still there, with every step she'd taken.
There was also the relief of having the deep, thrumming beat of