Page 80 of Feathers and Scales

“Less than t-two minutes.”

Izzy disappeared into the darkness, energy fading.

“How the hell?” Daxton shouted. She’d moved so fast, the lights hadn’t detected her. “Get out of here.”

Collin ran to his truck, and Daxton raced after Izzy. His heart was lodged in his damn throat. Using his Insight to follow her energy, he ran after her.

Daxton sucked in a harsh breath when he reached Izzy near the garage entrance. A warm light radiated from her body, outshining the sun’s rays, and dust refracted in the glow as if an invisible force suspended the particles. Spirit energy heated his skin and overwhelmed his Insight. Incomplete wings stretched from her back through her ripped black sweater. Fewer than ten feathers held on to the arching ivory bones. They hummed with life and structure.

What the fuck? She’s human. How did she shift into a Fallen form?

“Izzy,” Simon said from in front of her, speech mixed with heavy breathing. “Your wings. I can…I must be dead already.”

“You’re not dead,” Izzy said heatedly.

Moving into the space, Daxton stepped to the side to see what kept Izzy’s attention.

A bomb—strapped to Simon’s chest.

“Daxton. Great of you to join us,” Simon spat, face red and sweating. “Can you please tell her to get the bloody hell out of here? She’s gone mad as a bag of ferrets.”

A deep cut ran along the side of Simon’s head. Dried blood coated his temple down to his neck. The bundle of C-4 blocks had a digital clock fastened to a board. Exposed wires ran around the death vest Simon wore as he sat tied to a chair.

00:00:58

Daxton’s mouth slackened.

“Shut up, Simon. I’m not leaving you.” She yanked her glasses off and bent to examine the wiring.

“Izzy,” Simon pleaded.

She seared him with a sharp look. His lips formed a grim, flat line.

Simon nodded. “All right, we’re doing this. I’ve been—”

An archaic dagger made of yellow crystal appeared in Izzy’s hand, blade poised against her wrist. A feather dropped from Izzy’s back.

00:00:38

Simon swallowed, eyeing the weapon. “I’ve stared at the bomb for a while now.”

“It’s just circuitry and engineering,” Izzy said.

Simon nodded. “It doesn’t seem like expert craftsmanship.”

“So, it’s likely not booby-trapped.”

“Let’s rip it off him,” Daxton interrupted.This is madness!

00:00:28

Izzy lifted her hand to stop him from advancing. “The wires are all the way around. We can’t cut it off him.”

“She’s right,” Simon said. “We have to wait until the last second and cut the correct wire—”

“Or we will trip the fuse,” Izzy finished.

Daxton clenched his hands. Their minds had synced. But did they say to wait until the last moment?Like hell that’s happening.Daxton lifted his hand to place it on her shoulder and paused. The link tightened—calm confidence swept away all her fears.She had asked me to trust her. So do it.