Free Perdition (The Dred Chronicles) by Ann Aguirre Page A

that.
    On the way, he noted the guards who patrolled Dred’s territory; they looked attentive, though he’d tighten up their passes and vary the length of time between them. If you ran things with too much precision, people learned to work around the security measures. But he’d talk to Dred in private, later. She might take exception to his critical evaluation of her system.
    “The border’s coming up,” she said eventually. “We wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t important. But if we’re spotted, fight for your lives. Grigor catches us, and we end up dead.”
    “Understood,” Einar answered.
    Tam only nodded, then she went on, “It will be safest if we go through the maintenance shafts and stay out of the main corridors. Is that a problem for anybody?”
    “Not for me,” Jael answered.
    “I might be too loud.” Einar stood quiet, waiting for her judgment.
    Her strong features went thoughtful. She wasn’t beautiful, but her fierceness drew the eye. Sometimes strength was better than beauty, especially in a place like this. “Head back and keep the others on point. Keep a sharp eye on our perimeters, especially all access points near the garden.”
    “Will do,” Einar muttered.
    He turned and strode away. Jael could tell he wasn’t pleased, but at least the man knew his limitations. Not that Jael would mind a fight. Dred didn’t realize what an asset she’d acquired, but for the moment, it was nice being treated like a person, not a weapon. That would change soon enough.
    “Here,” she said after they’d walked for a while. “Boost Tam so he can open the panel.”
    “As you command, queenie,” he said with a touch of irony.
    He’d never been good at taking orders unless they came with a fat payday. Yet he still cupped his hands and tossed the other man up; Tam latched onto the rungs bolted into the side high on the wall. The man fiddled with the latches, then it opened. He climbed in without waiting for the order, which made Jael think he traveled this way a lot. He tossed Dred up next, and she peered over her shoulder at him.
    “Can you—”
    Before she could complete the question, he took a few steps back for a running start and launched himself up. His thighs were deceptively strong, and he landed right below her, close enough to feel the heat of her body, her braids brushing against his shoulders. His whole body reacted.
It’s only because it’s been so long,
he told himself. With effort, he slowed his breathing and denied the response.
    “Stay close,” she said.
    The shafts were dark and cold, coated with old mining dust. Ahead, Tam forged a certain trail, cutting left and right with no hesitation; sometimes they dropped down a level via more rungs bolted to the wall. In places the metal was unsteady, rusted, and he didn’t like putting his whole weight on it. There was no way to be sure how far the drop would be should a bar tear free and send him plummeting. Jael wished being hard to kill meant immunity to fright, but he could still fear things even when he knew they couldn’t end him.
    “If we can sneak around like this,” he whispered eventually, “so can they. Do you monitor the access points?”
    She cast a scornful look over one shoulder. “Of course. I can’t keep them from passing through, but if they drop out in my zone, I handle it.”
    Tam said nothing, likely focused on making sure they didn’t get lost. He was small and quick, an excellent guide. Jael imagined that the other man had memorized where the ducts traveled and the best places to emerge. Countless moments later, he opened a panel and disappeared from sight.
    Jael sighed. “He doesn’t talk much.”
    “You could learn from him.”
    “It’s part of my charm.”
    “In here, ‘charm’ will get you killed.”
    “I should be so lucky,” he muttered.
    “One of these days, I’ll ask why you’re so in love with the prospect of dying.”
    He cocked a half smile, knowing most women hated that look.