result.
Oddly enough, the fingerprinting crew that arrived didn't work for the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department. They worked for the FBI.
Kory's arm dropped around me while we stood nearby, nullifying the duplication spells so the FBI team could do their work.
"These fingerprints match those of the missing men from that bus in California," the FBI agent in charge announced shortly after running the electronic information through a database. "These are innocent men. Where is the body of the one who is now deceased?"
His gaze leveled on the Warden, who wanted nothing more than to leave and hide in his office. Kell's commands kept him where he was. Both prison guards stayed with him, gaping, while the prisoners were identified as missing migrant workers last seen in California.
One of you must remain with these nine while they are removed from the prison , Kell sent to Kory and me. The other must view the deceased one .
I'll go to the body—I want Lexsi out of here soon. I don't like this place , Kory replied.
I dislike it as well, and worry that these nine may not be the only ones who carry a spell , Kell informed us.
I hadn't considered that Laurel's pet warlock and Sirenali could become that devious. I should have known better, after what I'd already seen of their work.
Anita, do the Warden and these two guards have an obsession? I sent to her.
They don't, but I'm getting the shivers in this place , she replied. I think the prison itself is ready to become a beast to devour and digest .
She was right—I'd begun to feel as if unseen insects were crawling across my skin. I think we should get out of here , I whispered mentally.
The noise started then; it was only the beginning of one of the worst prison riots in US history.
"I can help deal with this," Kory's nostrils blew a stream of smoke as he took a step toward the door.
"Hold," Kell held up a hand, stopping Kory in his tracks. "This may be a trap. We will not fall into it. Mr. Stone," he turned to Davis, "Instruct your crew to shut off the cameras in this room."
"Done," Davis said after several seconds passed and the noise grew louder outside.
"You knew about this?" Kell lifted an eyebrow at Warden Jackson, who tried to back away.
He knew something; that much was certain.
"I trust you three," Kell nodded to Anita, Kory and me, "can get all of us out of here? They're coming this way, and they don't intend to let us live, if the voices I hear are correct."
"What?" the Warden blustered. "They're supposed to," he stopped short and snapped his mouth shut, much like a turtle would.
"They're supposed to take us while you go free?" Kell demanded.
"We need to go. Now," Anita interrupted. The noise had risen until it was deafening, and something large and metal banged against the door into our room. It bounced off with a metallic ringing, before rolling down the concrete hall outside.
"I can deal with this," Kory began again.
"You cannot be seen," Kell snapped. "Take us out of here—all of us," Kell swept out a hand. "We do not wish for the enemy to have our images in this place."
I went still. He was right. They'd laid a trap. "Go, Kory," I shouted at him. "I'll take these nine," I jerked my head at the shackled prisoners. "You help Anita with the others."
"How?" Kory yelled over the din. More objects crashed into the heavy door separating us from the mob outside.
"I'll mist them out," I shouted. "Go!"
* * *
There wasn't time to make plans as to where to go or what to do after we got there, but I was desperate. The military plane was my destination as I misted nine terrified men out of their chains and away from a growing prison riot.
I hesitated overhead for a moment, watching as flames licked one section of the prison. I'd bet anything that somewhere in that section, the tenth man's body was stored—they wanted to hide evidence of their crime and that was how they intended to do it.
It's all right , I attempted to soothe my reluctant
Eve Paludan, Stuart Sharp