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“We have togo.”
The doctor entered just in time to frown. “She needs rest.”
“She’s being difficult,” Nash said, his voice sharp.
“I’m not asking,” Grace said, shoving back the covers.
The car ride was a blur of sirens and snow.
OrdoTech loomed ahead, sterile glass, cold lights, too clean.
They breached the lab with tactical precision. The Shadowguard moved like shadows on either side of them, Komodo in front, Krait ghosting the perimeter with a look in her eyes that promised no one would leave without consequence. Nash shoved the door open with his shoulder, gun drawn. Grace followed, her feet already moving toward the far wall. Piper spun from the terminal, eyes wide, mouth already twisting into outrage.
“You can’t be here?—”
He stopped when he saw the Reavers. His face blanched when Komodo stepped forward. Piper stepped back.
Grace didn’t waste time. She moved to the table behind Piper, snatched the device from the containment cradle. It was smaller than she expected. Heavier. Sleek black alloy with a central port, etched in strange angles like it had been made for somethingnot quite human.
She tucked it into her bag. They reached the outer doors just in time to see the van crest the hill at the far edge of the facility grounds.
The explosion lit the sky with orange and flame. Fire rolled outward like a scream.
They ran, but when they reached the wreckage, there was nothing left.
Metal twisted. Chassis burned. The smell of fuel and melted circuits hung in the air like grief.
Grace dropped to her knees beside the edge of the wreck, her hands shaking. Nash stood behind her, silent. Then he dropped beside her.
She turned into his chest. He wrapped her in his arms.
They said nothing.
There was nothing to say.
* * *
DaysLater
The hotel room was quiet. A half-packed bag on the bed. Her coat draped over the back of a chair. Nash sat at the window, watching the snow fall. She stood beside him, brushing her fingers along his jaw.
“I have to go,” she said softly.
“I know.”
“Phoenix isn’t forever.”
“No,” he said, reaching up to cup the back of her neck. “But I wish it was tomorrow.”
She smiled, then leaned down to kiss him, slow this time. Deep. Like memory. Like promise.
They walked down to the lobby together, shoulders brushing, silence easy between them.
At the desk, she handed over the key. The clerk smiled politely, then looked down, brow furrowed.
“Miss Harlan?”
“Yes?”