Warrior Rising - By Pamela Palmer Page 0,70

gas stations in Esria."

"How many miles are we going to have to travel?" Charlie asked.

"Close to a hundred," Findris said. "Fewer than that to the base of the mountains."

"Good. We should be able to get there on one tank if the terrain isn't too rough. With any luck, we'll catch up with them long before that. But we should take a couple of extra gas cans for the return trip, if nothing else."

Charlie's voice lowered and moved away as he spoke on the phone. Jack began issuing orders to his men to move the trucks and make room for the Range Rover.

Harrison concentrated on reaching Ilaria. Despite the falling snow, he began to sweat. Everything rested on his ability to reach her. Over and over, he called her name and talked to her, telling her what happened, telling her their plans.

Behind him, the trucks moved away. Beside him, a makeshift ramp was quickly assembled, ready to drop into place when the barrier fell. But still, he concentrated on Ilaria. Just Ilaria.

The sound of a vehicle driving up beside him finally broke through his concentration and he turned to find Charlie climbing out of a shiny, black, late model SUV.

"How long has it been?" he asked his brother.

"Thirty-seven minutes."

Hell.

"The gate is still open," Findris said, anticipating his next question. "For the moment."

Charlie tossed extra flamethrowers into the vehicle. "I packed us a couple cases of water bottles and peanut butter crackers. It should be enough to tide us over if we don't have time to ask the land to provide us food."

The situation was growing dire. If the gate closed, it would be weeks before it opened again and by then it would be far, far too late.

Ilaria! Harrison closed his eyes. He had to reach her. Talking wasn't enough. Digging deep down inside himself, he found the emotion he'd contained for so long and forced himself to set it free. The need for her. The love.

Ilaria, I love you, angel. Come back to me. Please? Love welled up inside him, overflowing, reaching out to her.

Harrison?

Thank God. Ilaria, stay with me. If we don't get through that gate quickly, all is lost. Rith will tear down the walls between our worlds. He'll enslave your people.

Can't...wake.

Then I'm going to have to go after him without you.

No.

You must move, Ilaria. Lift your hands and take off the draggon stone. He's using it to bind you. Take it off and you'll be free.

I...can't.

Yes, you can, angel. You have to or I'm going without you.

"That's it, Harrison," Charlie said, his voice laced with carefully controlled excitement. "She's doing it."

Harrison opened his eyes to find Ilaria's hands lifting with painful slowness.

Good girl. Pull it off, angel.

For a dozen heartbeats, her hands lingered on the chain, then slowly she gripped the silver and pulled the stone from around her neck.

The air sighed.

"We're through!" Charlie leaped forward, Harrison following a second later as he ran for Ilaria.

He fell on his knees beside her, helping her as she struggled to sit. "Are you okay?"

Her lashes fluttered up, weighted by snowflakes. "I think so. I'm...groggy."

"You did it." Harrison stood, sweeping her into his arms. "Grab the draggon stone, Charlie."

His brother picked up the jewel, then made a beeline for the vehicle as a couple of Sitheen dropped the ramp into place against the fountain. Findris and Tarrys were already seated inside the SUV as Harrison lifted Ilaria into the backseat next to Tarrys, then turned to Jack and Larsen, who'd followed them.

He handed Jack his phone. "My ex-wife's number is in there. Gwen's. If I don't return..."

Larsen understood. "We'll watch out for your kids, Harrison."

It was all he could ask for. With a nod, he turned and slid onto the seat beside Ilaria, closing the door behind him.

Charlie started the engine. "Seat belts, boys and girls. I have the feeling we're in for a wild ride. Either that or we're about to smash the Dupont Circle fountain."

Harrison clicked Ilaria's belt, then strapped himself in.

Charlie reached back, the draggon stone in his hand. "Is it safe to give this back to you, Princess?"

Ilaria looked up, her eyes already recovering their sharp brilliance as the magic lost its grip on her. "Yes, it's safe. Rith tapped into the power of the draggon stone to set his trap, but that's all. He can't control me through it again."

Charlie dropped the stone into her palm. "Findris thinks you'll need its full power to get us and the Range Rover through in one piece."

Her mouth