Free Pyromancist by Charmaine Pauls Page B

few yards away from the
corridor, she jumped to her feet and sprinted for the escape route.
All she had to do was launch her body and jump, shut the door and
lower the bolt. That would give her enough time to get away. Just
as she projected her body, she felt a hand on her ankle, breaking
her run. She fell forward, a scream escaping her lips because she
knew it was going to be a hard landing, but the hold on her foot
disappeared and a strong pair of arms grabbed her from behind and
steadied her.
    She still went down, but not with the
jaw-breaking thump she’d expected. It was Josselin’s body that
covered hers once more. He dragged her to the far wall, and pushed
her body tight against the cold bricks with his. He had his hand in
her hair. It was a firm grip, but it didn’t hurt. Pinching her eyes
shut, she refused to look into his face.
    She could feel his lips brush over the lobe
of her ear, his warm breath as he whispered, “Don’t ever run from
me. Don’t make me come after you.”
    A shiver ran over her body at the menacing
undertone she heard in his voice, and then the noise of a
helicopter broke through the air.
    “Yes, permission to fire,” Josselin said into
his mic. There was a short pause. “Fuck. Did you get a visual?” He
listened to the reply. “We’re coming out. Wait until we’re mobile
and circle around. See if you can pick up the shooter.”
    Josselin lifted Clelia in his arms and
carried her outside. Lann and Maya flanked them.
    “Maya, scan for explosives.”
    Maya ran ahead with something she pulled from
a big bag on her shoulder. It looked like a handheld metal
detector. She flicked a button and did a quick search of the SUV
before she nodded at Josselin. He helped Clelia into the vehicle
and took the seat next to her, sheltering her under his arm. Lann
sat opposite them and Maya took the driver’s seat. They each knew
exactly which position to take. They appeared to function like a
well-oiled machine.
    Josselin addressed the Russian.
“Assessment?”
    “Like you said. Sharpshooter,” Lann said. His
voice was velvety and calm, but he appeared stressed. “We better
warn Cain.”
    “We didn’t have any fucking intelligence of
an attack,” Maya said over her shoulder, starting the engine and
taking a dirt trail that led to the village.
    “Bono,” Josselin said, “are we clear?”
    “Either we were the targets,” Lann said, “or
he was after someone else.” He looked pointedly at Clelia.
    Josselin’s arm tightened around Clelia’s
body. She was shaking uncontrollably. Even her teeth were
chattering. She couldn’t decide if she was hot, or cold, or both.
She stared at Josselin, frightened, feeling out of control.
    “Easy now.” Josselin rubbed her arms. “You’re
all right. It’s the shock.”
    “Where are we going?” Maya said, glancing at
them in the rearview mirror.
    “D11.” Josselin wiped a hand over his face.
“Bono, take her down in ten. If we don’t have a tail on our killer
by then, he’s gotten away. Too many holidaymakers to use infrared.
We’ll run the satellite recording later, see if we can nail anyone
with a weapon. Maya, brief Cain on our status. He’s coming in by
helijet. He needs to know we’re exposed before he crosses French
airspace. Lann, set up a safe house before Cain arrives. Maya,
we’ll need to shift our ground base to the safe house as soon as
Lann has secured a new location.”
    “I’m on it,” Lann said.
    “The locals are going to go ape shit,” Maya
said. “What are we going to tell the press? If this comes out, our
operation is compromised. Can we cover it up?”
    “I’ll handle the media,” Josselin said. “Can
you keep your asses clear until we have a new safe house?”
    Maya snorted. “I should kick your ass just
for asking that. What about you ... and her ?”
    “I’m taking her someplace secure until it’s
safe to move.”
    The van suddenly came to a halt where the
road split to Carnac. Clelia tried to look out