Page 27

VISIONS

I t took nearly half an hour to get all the details of the attack from Sierra. Someone—or something—had broken into the Legion’s research lab and stolen a magic artifact. And they’d blown a sizable hole in the facility in the process.

“Is the thief still there?” I asked Sierra as Nero pulled out his phone to call the facility.

“I don’t know. It all went by so fast,” she replied, her lower lip trembling. “They were just flashes in my mind, like lightning. All those fragmented images spinning by.” She gripped my hands tightly. “Bodies falling…” Pressing her lips together, she shook her head and said no more.

“The commander of the facility knows nothing about any attack,” Nero said, returning to us.

“Maybe it was a stealth attack?” I suggested.

“An explosion is not very stealthy, Pandora.” He looked at Sierra.

“It happened,” our daughter insisted with an air of stubborn resolve that could only be genetic. “I know what I saw.”

“I believe you,” Nero told her.

She gave him a tired smile.

“Perhaps someone was impersonating the facility commander,” I suggested. “Or he was under duress.”

“I know Major Ashmore’s voice. Just as I know the man. No amount of ‘duress’ would compel him to lie to me.”

“Magic can do many things, Nero.”

His eyes locked with mine. “Then there is only one thing to do. I must go to the research lab at once and see for myself what is going on there. I have no intention of losing a Legion facility not even an hour after being made First Angel.”

I stepped forward. “In that case, I am going with you.”

A small smile touched his lips. “I was hoping you would say that.”

“You will look after Sierra?” I asked Bella and Harker.

She nodded. “Of course.”

“It would be our honor to watch over your daughter.” Harker set his hand over his chest.

But Sierra had other ideas.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” I asked her when she returned from her room, fully dressed.

“I am coming with you.” She slipped into her jacket. “Naturally.”

I looked at Nero, holding back an amused smile. “ Naturally , she says.”

“You need me,” Sierra insisted. “I had the vision. I know what to look for.”

“A big hole in the side of the research facility,” Nero said drily. “I think we can manage.”

“Dad—”

“I am not bringing my daughter into a potentially dangerous situation.”

Sierra folded her arms over her chest and stared him straight in the eye.

“Didn’t you teach me to always use every advantage you had?

Well, I am the advantage you can’t afford to leave behind.

I can track people and magic better than anyone.

You will need me to find the thief. And recover what he took from the Legion. ”

Nero looked at me.

“She can track artifacts better than anyone,” I said.

“Fine.” His expression hardened. “But she will be surrounded by armed soldiers at all times. And we’re bringing Harker with us to assist in her protection.”

Sierra rolled her eyes at her dad. “Why don’t you just stick me inside a big, protective ball and roll me around?”

“Don’t tempt me,” he replied in a deep, level voice. “If you’re to come along with us, I expect you to follow my orders.”

“I can do that.”

“Are you sure?” he countered. “Think carefully, Sierra. You need to be absolutely certain. This isn’t the time for teenage rebellion.

I don’t bring just anyone into the field.

I need someone who won’t endanger herself or others.

If that’s not you, then you can take off your shoes now and go back to bed. ”

She bristled. “I can do this, Dad. I will do this.

Nero held her gaze for a few silent seconds, then nodded. “Very well. But wear your other jacket, the black one with the extra padding on the arms. It’s fireproof.”

As Sierra hurried off to switch her jacket, I turned to Nero. “Hmm.”

He grabbed his sword. “Is there something you wish to say, Pandora?”

“I’m surprised you agreed to bring her along, is all.”

“What should surprise you is that I convinced our twelve-year-old daughter to agree to do whatever I say.”

I snorted. “Why should that surprise me? I’ve known you long enough to appreciate just how persuasive you can be.”

“Yes.”

“Sierra is pretty persuasive herself,” I commented.

“She is certainly stubborn,” he said. “She gets it from her mother.”

“Right. Because you’re not stubborn at all, General.”

A slow smile curled Nero’s lips.

Sierra squeezed between us. “Are you guys going to kiss now? Because if you are, a heads up would be nice, so I can get out of here before that happens.”

The comment drew a round of laughter from the rest of us.

When it finally died down, Nero declared, “Fun’s over. Time for us to find out who dared to attack the Legion of Angels.”