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, knee

o 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