Read Immortally Embraced for Free Online Page B

about the prophecy, about the new weapon.
    Marc’s eyes searched mine. “I know it’s too much, but do this for me. With me.”
    Even though I don’t want you.
    Merde. Was he trying to shove a knife in my chest?
    Or make me want to shove one into his?
    He stood before me, ready to lead the charge, damn the consequences. It was as if he could change things through sheer force of will. I drew a hand over my eyes. “You’re certifiable.”
    He seemed to take that as a compliment. “And you’re stronger than you think.”
    I sighed, torn. “I don’t know how to do this.”
    “It has to be under the cover of night.” He glanced out of the tent. “I came in by the priest’s hutch, but that’s too dangerous now with the patrols out.”
    “Don’t tell me you were going to rope Father McArio into this.” The realization dawned on me. “You already did.” That’s why the padre drew the patrol away. That’s why he was wandering around the minefield.
    Father McArio was sixty-five if he was a day. He should have retired. Instead, he’d volunteered for an assignment in limbo, a life sentence. He was my mentor and my friend and as far as I was concerned, he took too many risks already.
    He was going to get himself killed one of these days, but I sure didn’t want it to be because he was helping me.
    Marc cast me a rueful look. “I met Father McArio while scouting the camp. Hell of a nice guy. Before I knew it, I was telling him who I was.”
    Father had a way of making people do that.
    “He delivered the note to your door. He told me where we should meet.”
    I groaned out loud. They were two peas in a pod. The old Jesuit never could leave well enough alone, but this was too big—even for him. I shot him a look. “No more talking to Father McArio.”
    “You’re right,” he said, completely nonplussed. “It’s a risk to both of us at this point.” He thought for a moment. “When I was flying in, I saw a maze of gas tanks at the rear of the helipad. Go there. I’ll leave you transportation. I’ll get you one of our uniforms, as well.”
    As if all we needed was a jeep and a new plan. “You’re asking me to go AWOL.” To hide out in an enemy camp. To seek out a murdered soul. To spy on a top-secret project.”
    He stood tall, unapologetic. “I am.”
    “You’re not worried about me?” Galen would never let me take this kind of a risk.
    “You’re not a kid anymore,” Mark said. “You’re a strong, smart woman. I need you on my side.”
    He didn’t say it, but I knew. He wanted me as an equal.
    I glanced up at him. “You think it’s that important?”
    “I know it is,” he said with utter conviction. No sugarcoating it, no backing down. He was a soldier, the same as if he carried a sword into battle.
    “Then I’ll do it.” I’d been in the clinic for two weeks straight. I could take a few days off. “Give me a few hours to pack. I’ll be at the helipad when the suns set.”

 
    chapter four
    I’d left Marc with a handshake, as if we were passing acquaintances or business associates who’d met for a chat over coffee.
    This was so screwed up. I didn’t know what to think or feel, much less what to do around that man. But I’d wanted to touch him again, so I did. In the lamest way possible.
    It was an uncomfortable end to a gut-wrenching meeting. I could hardly believe he was alive, or that I’d agreed to help him.
    I made my way down the busy walkways of our small tent city, one hand stuffed in my pocket, holding the note he’d left on my door, running my fingers over the paper as if I needed to make sure it had even happened.
    A group of nurses passed me going the other way and I nodded to them, or at least I thought about it. I glanced back at the rise that led to the minefield. I just hoped Marc gotten out before that patrol came back around.
    He’d asked the impossible. I had every right to be pissed off at him for that. I was.
    But like a fool, I’d taken him up on it. It was