Ember, I thought, staring at the highway through the windshield. Please be all right. Let me get to you in time.
A distant report echoed over the buildings, slicing through me like a knife and making my heart skip. Immediately, I slowed and pulled the car to the side of the narrow private road, as several weaker but undeniable pops joined the first, coming from the buildings beyond the chain-link fence that surrounded the abandoned industrial park.
“We’re too late,” Jade murmured, her voice unnaturally calm. “The Order is already here.”
No. I jumped from my seat and hurried to the trunk to wrench it open, revealing the duffel bag of personal items I’d hidden away before leaving for England. As Jade stepped up beside me, I reached into the bag and pulled out a Kevlar vest, then slipped it on over my shirt. From behind the duffel I drew out an M4, checked the chamber for rounds and slung the strap over my shoulder.
The Asian dragon’s dark eyes burned into the side of my head. “You realize this is very risky,” she commented, watching as I slid a Glock into the holster at my side. “We are only two bodies. Even if St. George doesn’t expect us, the odds of everyone making it out alive are slim.”
“I know,” I muttered. “But I’m getting them out. I have to try. Ember would do the same for me.” As a matter of fact, she already did. “I won’t ask you to help me if you’re afraid,” I told the dragon, who regarded me solemnly, “but I’m going ahead, with or without you. So decide. Are you with me, or not?”
She sighed. “I gave my word that I would help, and a shen-lung is nothing if she does not keep her promises. Even if it means wading into a war zone full of armed human maniacs.” Shaking her head, she gave a wry smile. “So, lead on. I am right behind you.”
I nodded and held up a second handgun. “You’ll need one of these, then.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Ah, thank you, but no. Even were I not violently opposed to using a gun, I would not know what to do if I had it. No, mortal.” She shook her head, and her eyes glinted. “I am more than capable of killing humans, without mechanical help.”
“All right.” I didn’t like it, but I wasn’t going to argue. “Then let’s go.”
We sprinted for the fence and scrambled over, landing warily on the other side. Hugging the many low, darkened buildings, we headed in the direction from which the gunshots had originated. Though the lot was eerily silent now, and the structures deserted. I wondered if Ember and Riley had come this way, down this very path, thinking nothing was wrong. Not knowing that the Order was watching them, lying in wait to spring their trap. If they had come through here, they wouldn’t have suspected anything. There were too many places to hide; an army would be able to stay concealed until it was too late.
Peering around a corner, I caught a flash of movement and ducked back, pressing into the wall while Jade flattened herself beside me. I did a quick scan of the area. Rows of long gray warehouse buildings surrounded us and the large white building across the empty lot. NewTech Industries, the sign out front read. Two large delivery trucks sat near the main entrance, and a pair of black SUVs blocked the road to the front.
“Two assault teams,” I breathed, ducking back. “And another out front, holding the exits. They’re not taking any chances this time.”
Jade watched me, dark eyes somber. “What does that mean?”
I jerked my head in the direction of the building. “St. George would have waited until the targets entered the building before getting the order to move,” I said. “If they’d sprung the trap too early, they’d risk the targets flying away. Once inside, they would try to herd them farther in, to lower floors if possible, away from any windows or doors where they could escape. Meanwhile, a third team would be dispatched to block all exits out of the building, and there will be a sniper perched somewhere close by, just in case a target makes it through.”
Jade listened to this in silence, deliberating. “So, the first thing we need to do is clear the doors,” she said, calm and practical, as if she’d done this many times before. “Perhaps a distraction of some sort, to sow a little chaos in their ranks?” She smiled. “The appearance of another dragon across the lot would certainly cause them to sit up and take notice.”
“That might work,” I agreed slowly, “but it’ll be dangerous for you. Are you sure you want to risk it?”