Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Valor had seen this prototype in the tactical wardrobe chamber, but he hadn’t thought his Zorion would need it anytime soon. And he hadn’t been trained in it.
“This is obviously for Zorion,” she muttered. “They planned on testing you guys in the field soon—and I was hoping he would’ve had the chance to learn the full operation of it—but we no longer have that luxury.”
Valor’s heart pounded with a rhythm that echoed in his ears as he braced himself for the uncertainty ahead.
As if she noticed the concern on his face, she sighed and shook her head. “The sky is our only way out. I’ve gone over this many times, and there’s just too many floors to get through to get you out the door.”
“I understand.” Valor nodded. “What’s the plan, Jo?”
“In one hour, my tech, Glitch, will cause a total blackout. You’ll have three minutes, maybe less, before the guards explode into action and come to secure the director’s most expensive assets…you and Zorion.”
Valor scrutinized the contraption.
“Secure your harness, and when you hear the chopper coming, hook the landing gear, Valor. Use your instincts. You have the ability to execute this plan. After you’re airborne, we’ve got less than a minute to get to Zorion. The guards will already be on him, but I’ve seen his evasive ability. I know he’ll get off that terrace. And if you feel as strongly as I think you do for him…you’ll catch him when he flies.”
Valor burst through Zorion’s door to find him waiting in his foyer. After he closed and locked the door, Zorion was in his arms.
“You heard us?”
“Yes,” Zorion whispered after he slowly pulled away, “Give me the suit.”
Zorion ran his hands over the heavy material, his expression unreadable.
“Zorion—”
“Don’t,” Zorion bit out. “Keep your mind focused. Do not let fear or worry inside. It’ll only cloud your judgment. I need you to trust me.”
Valor yanked Zorion to his chest and slammed his mouth over his. The kiss was hard and desperate, a promise and a declaration.
When they broke apart, Zorion’s breath was ragged and hot. “This is it.”
“This is it.” Valor nodded. “I’ll see you in the sky, my beautiful hawk.”
Chief Aiken Oakley
Valor
Valor crouched atop the tall pine tree in the pitch-black with his forest green hood resting low on the bridge of his nose, casting a shadow over his eyes. His harness was tight enough around his chest that it almost constricted his breath.
He exhaled, feeling the surge of adrenaline already flowing through his veins.
It was time.
He shifted, adjusting the grip on his grappling hook, waiting, listening.
The blackout had triggered chaos several floors below. He could hear the security team cursing and scrambling. He had mere seconds before the guards adapted and were on the move.
Sixty-five ticks of the clock passed and the sound he’d been waiting for thundered through the night sky.
It was a helicopter, a big one.
The elevator dinged on his level, and his muscles tensed.
“Come on, you bastards,” he muttered.
The code to his door was quickly typed in before it flew open, and five guards rushed in—the others had probably split and gone in Zorion’s direction—weapons raised. Two had KIP launchers, one a taser, the other a baton.
“Where is he? Be careful. He can jump out at any second! Scan the entire area, heads on a swivel!” the leader yelled.
Valor smirked, watching them.
With a powerful burst of energy, he dropped on top of one and knocked his weapon from his hand.
He crouched low as rubber bullets erupted while flipping the portable fire pit into the path of the one coming at him with the baton.
That was two down.
The latter tried to keep track of what was happening, but Valor moved too fast.
Valor stalked around them, but he didn’t have time to knock them on their asses before the helicopter rounded the side of the building.
He sprinted toward the terrace and vaulted onto the railing, boots skidding as he balanced with the precision of a feline.
Below him, the city stretched in every direction, freedom within his grasp.
The chopper banked hard, its rotor blades deafening enough to drown out the guard’s attack. The wind whipped around him, tugging at his cloak, threatening to toss him over.
He clenched the hell out of the grappling hook and began to spin it at his side like a lasso.
The guard had his taser leveled on him and Valor didn’t hesitate as he yanked two blades from the harness strapped to his thigh and flung them toward him. He threw with such force that they disappeared into the guard’s chest. He staggered back and went down on one knee with a pained holler.
The last one took aim with his taser at the same time Valor hurled the metal hook toward his ride. He inwardly celebrated when it caught the landing step of the helicopter, but it was short-lived as Valor was launched off the ledge and gravity seized him.