have a chance to answer because right then a dark form came flying around the corner , and we nearly slammed into Rook.
My heart leapt to my throat, nearly choking me. Paris froze, going paler than she normally was, her eyes wide beneath her glasses.
The three of us stared at each other, panting and tense with indecision. Rook’s eyes were wild, glancing from me to Paris and back again.
I swallowed against my suddenly dry throat. If he calls for backup, we’re screwed.
I didn’t care how much history we had between us. Going back to that cell wasn’t an option. If subduing one of my closest friends was what it took, then bring it on.
I balled my hands up into fists like I’d been taught, ducking into a defensive position. The art of “ass-kickery” wasn’t new to me, and I was already scanning Rook’s body for possible openings when he gripped his rif le , locked eyes with me, and barely whispered, “Charge me and grab my gun. Take out the cameras.”
His voice was barely loud enough for me to hear over the sirens, thanks to my vampire hearing. I blinked, not sure if I’d heard him right. H e discreetly motioned with his gaze to something behind and above me. Warily p rying my eyes off Rook, I spared a quick glance over my shoulder, seeing a mounted, shiny lens peer ing back at me from the ceiling – a camera.
Now that he had pointed it out, I noticed more black dots I had mistaken for holes along the ceiling, no doubt zooming in on us this very second.
I hesitated, not sure if I could trust him.
“Quickly!” he hissed. “Before the rest of the unit comes down here.”
Going with a gut reaction, I let out a battle cry and charged him. I kicked out, aiming for his stomach, which he in turn blocked with the gun. I grinned. Exactly what I was counting on. Now with the rifle within reach, I grabbed it and jerked it hard. It slipped out of Rook’s meaty grasp without much resistance, which puzzled me until I realized he had let me have it.
“Take out the camera!” h e hissed , pretending to lunge for the gun.
I easily sidestepped him and whirled, closing one eye and aimi ng at the ceiling. Paris ducked. My arms shuddered as the bullet sailed out of the gun , barreling right into the lens and shattering it. Glass shards rained down from the ceiling.
“Take out the other two! ” Rook hissed .
I lowered the gu n, about to s hoot Rook – or at least pretend to – and grabbed the gun, jerking it toward the ceiling as I pulled the trigger over and over again. Shots rang out, eviscerating the tiles and whatever cameras were left at the other end. The mechanism began clicking, indicating it was empty.
I thought we were home free when I spied another little black circle, right above us.
One more.
Using the gun as an extension of my arm, I punched Rook across the jaw hard enough to make him stagger, and then planted my foot in his side, using it to propel myself upward. The camera didn’t stand a chance. Raising the gun, I slammed it into the lens, smashing it to pieces. I fell to the floor, landing on both feet without breaking a sweat.
Rook’s fist flew out of nowhere. All I saw was a dark shape zooming closer, which I naturally turned to look at.
POW!
Pain exploded along my jaw, jerking my head sideways. “Shit, Rook!” I said, staggering and rubbing my now aching jaw. It hurt to even talk.
Rook stopped, glanced at the decimated cameras all around us, and then blushed sheepishly. “Sorry,” he said, running a hand over his dreads. “I suppose we can drop the act now.” He reached for his walkie -talkie , bringing it to his mouth. “The suspects are heading toward the south exit. I repeat, the suspects are heading toward the south exit. All units converge there.”
I relaxed, despite the fact my face felt like it had been hit by a mace. “I thought you were coming to kill us , ” I said.
Rook shook his head, a sly smile on his face. “No, that was just a ruse. I h ad to play along so
My heart leapt to my throat, nearly choking me. Paris froze, going paler than she normally was, her eyes wide beneath her glasses.
The three of us stared at each other, panting and tense with indecision. Rook’s eyes were wild, glancing from me to Paris and back again.
I swallowed against my suddenly dry throat. If he calls for backup, we’re screwed.
I didn’t care how much history we had between us. Going back to that cell wasn’t an option. If subduing one of my closest friends was what it took, then bring it on.
I balled my hands up into fists like I’d been taught, ducking into a defensive position. The art of “ass-kickery” wasn’t new to me, and I was already scanning Rook’s body for possible openings when he gripped his rif le , locked eyes with me, and barely whispered, “Charge me and grab my gun. Take out the cameras.”
His voice was barely loud enough for me to hear over the sirens, thanks to my vampire hearing. I blinked, not sure if I’d heard him right. H e discreetly motioned with his gaze to something behind and above me. Warily p rying my eyes off Rook, I spared a quick glance over my shoulder, seeing a mounted, shiny lens peer ing back at me from the ceiling – a camera.
Now that he had pointed it out, I noticed more black dots I had mistaken for holes along the ceiling, no doubt zooming in on us this very second.
I hesitated, not sure if I could trust him.
“Quickly!” he hissed. “Before the rest of the unit comes down here.”
Going with a gut reaction, I let out a battle cry and charged him. I kicked out, aiming for his stomach, which he in turn blocked with the gun. I grinned. Exactly what I was counting on. Now with the rifle within reach, I grabbed it and jerked it hard. It slipped out of Rook’s meaty grasp without much resistance, which puzzled me until I realized he had let me have it.
“Take out the camera!” h e hissed , pretending to lunge for the gun.
I easily sidestepped him and whirled, closing one eye and aimi ng at the ceiling. Paris ducked. My arms shuddered as the bullet sailed out of the gun , barreling right into the lens and shattering it. Glass shards rained down from the ceiling.
“Take out the other two! ” Rook hissed .
I lowered the gu n, about to s hoot Rook – or at least pretend to – and grabbed the gun, jerking it toward the ceiling as I pulled the trigger over and over again. Shots rang out, eviscerating the tiles and whatever cameras were left at the other end. The mechanism began clicking, indicating it was empty.
I thought we were home free when I spied another little black circle, right above us.
One more.
Using the gun as an extension of my arm, I punched Rook across the jaw hard enough to make him stagger, and then planted my foot in his side, using it to propel myself upward. The camera didn’t stand a chance. Raising the gun, I slammed it into the lens, smashing it to pieces. I fell to the floor, landing on both feet without breaking a sweat.
Rook’s fist flew out of nowhere. All I saw was a dark shape zooming closer, which I naturally turned to look at.
POW!
Pain exploded along my jaw, jerking my head sideways. “Shit, Rook!” I said, staggering and rubbing my now aching jaw. It hurt to even talk.
Rook stopped, glanced at the decimated cameras all around us, and then blushed sheepishly. “Sorry,” he said, running a hand over his dreads. “I suppose we can drop the act now.” He reached for his walkie -talkie , bringing it to his mouth. “The suspects are heading toward the south exit. I repeat, the suspects are heading toward the south exit. All units converge there.”
I relaxed, despite the fact my face felt like it had been hit by a mace. “I thought you were coming to kill us , ” I said.
Rook shook his head, a sly smile on his face. “No, that was just a ruse. I h ad to play along so
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