on the tarmac like a dormant dragon, its
oling up, a high-pitched whi
air, his face pale, his side heavily bandaged, bu
f hydraulic fluid, sweat, and aviation fuel. Rows of seats
t them as they passed. He looked older today. The weight of the c
ing mechanism on the floor. She sat in the jump
she shouted o
of the plane was sending spikes of pain t
he blinding desert sun. The ho
it fought for altitude. Imogen reached out a
n the red light, she lo
settled into a steady drone. The soldiers aroun
buckled h
u doing?" Im
e said. He tug
. She unbuckled and leaned in close, kneeo rest," sh
you,"
movements were slow, deliberat
casing. A 9mm casing. He had polished it a
s," he murmured. "I found this on the
of brass. It was a piece
beautiful thing
lia
audible over the engines. "We survived hell.
g was too big for her finger, but he s
you ma
words. She leaned forward
es bumped. She tasted of stale coffee and he tast
back, breat
rass ring on her th
e real one is in the Powers family vau
er head on his knee, holding
g home," sh
ndow. The desert was gone. Below them,
new the capital. He knew the politics. The desert had bul
e asked. "The shar
les. "Let them come. We
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