Chapter 5
FIVE
SLOAN
Sloan raised her sword, hitting the button on the pommel that awoke the mage power. Her blade hummed with red light.
“Easy there, warrior queen.” Kade’s familiar voice released the tension from Sloan’s shoulders. “It’s me. You know, that guy who fed you before you ran off.”
Sloan lowered her weapon.
“What is it that you want,” Sloan whispered. “I’m kind of busy here.”
“I know.” Kade walked into her full view, his boots kicking up tiny clouds of dust. “I’m trying to save you from making a mistake.”
Sloan felt her anger winning over intrigue. “I don’t need you to save me from anything. I’m a big girl.”
“No doubt.” Kade leaned against the building opposite the one holding her friends prisoner.
It looked like an old house, with flaking paint and a sagging roof.
“But the building I’m leaning up against right now is housing the New Hope soldiers who have been scouring Term.
If you try to free your friends now, you’ll have to kill a whole heck of a lot of people.
You’ll have not only Kimberly’s men to deal with, but the soldiers, as well. ”
For the first time, Sloan stopped to think her plan through.
Even with these new odds stacked against her, she might be able to take them all.
But at what cost, and to whom? Could she ensure that Edison and Oliver would escape the battle unscathed?
They were scientists, not warriors. On top of that, was she willing to slaughter so many people?
“If you’re insistent on saving your friends”—Kade motioned with an open arm—“then follow me.”
Kade moved to go, expecting Sloan to follow. When she didn’t, he stopped in his tracks and turned again.
“Oh, right, you have that whole trust issue thing going on.” Kade sighed, trying to think. “Listen, you obviously have no love for the crown. Neither do I. They took everything from me. We share a common enemy. Keep your sword drawn if you want, but at least follow me and see what I have to say.”
Sloan weighed the pros and cons in her mind. If Kade really wanted to ambush her, he had his opportunity minutes before when he caught her unawares in the alley. Could he actually just be a nice guy with her best intentions in mind? Doubtful.
“Okay,” Sloan said, powering down her sword. “Lead the way.”
Kade nodded and led her down the alley, away from the main street. They emptied out into yet another alley that ran behind the rear of the row of buildings. Kade fell to all fours, looking down at the sheriff office’s foundation.
“Are you all right?” Sloan looked from side to side to make sure they were still alone. “Need to tie your shoelace or something?”
“Look, stop checking out my butt and get down here.” Kade pointed to the foundation of the building.
“I wasn’t checking out your butt.” Sloan rolled her eyes. She joined Kade on all fours, examining the building’s structure.
The building was new, and whoever had constructed the sheriff’s office had done so using a raised platform. There was a tight crawlspace under the building. It would provide just enough room for someone to maneuver on their stomach and elbows.
“Give it a few more hours.” Kade rose to his knees, dusting off his hands. “The boys like to drink. They’ll be passed out by then.”
“Why are you doing this?” Sloan followed Kade’s lead, resting on her feet in a squatting position. “You don’t know me or owe me a cent.”
Kade took a deep breath. The act made his chest rise and fall in a soft, rhythmic motion. Sloan almost thought she heard a deep purr echo somewhere in his lungs.
“You’re a tiger.” Kade said, rising to his feet. “You’re the most beautiful tiger I’ve ever seen.”
“You don’t even know my name.” Sloan blushed, also rising to her feet. “And I’m not a shifter.”
“Well, what is your name?” Kade looked at her with a boyish grin. “And I didn’t mean you were a shifter.”
“My name’s—” Sloan hesitated. For the first time in a long time, she wondered if she should give Kade her real first name. It was something she hadn’t done since her first year in army boot camp. “You can call me Charlotte.”
“Charlotte…” Kade played with the name like a lollipop across his tongue. “I like it.”
“Why did you call me a tiger?”
“Because you’re strong, fearless, and confident.” Kade took one last, long look at her that made Sloan feel uneasy in the best kind of way. “You don’t need my help. I’m one hundred percent confident that you would be fine without me. And in a weird kind of way, that makes me want to help you.”
Sloan and Kade looked at each other through the dusk the early hours of night brought on.
“If you need—I should say, if you want my help”—Kade turned to go down the alley—“you know where to find me.”