“I didn’t know it was going to suck me in like that and turn off my equipment.”
“Ain’t you ever seen the movies?” Tex asked.
A calming sense of rightness came over me as everyone smiled and laughed, talking over one another.
The door opened again, and this time it was Colonel Latham, there to congratulate and thank Rylen himself.
“Also,” the Colonel said. “There’s someone from the Baelese encampment who thinks she knows you. She recognized your name.”
She? Rylen’s eyebrows came together.
The Colonel looked toward the door and called, “Come on in.”
A young, waif of a girl with short blond hair came in, clasping her hands in front of herself. I stared hard, feeling like I’d seen her face before. But where?
“Macy?” Remy said, coming forward to take her hand. “You know Rylen?”
The girl nodded, and my heart jumped. Macy? It couldn’t be.
Suddenly, Rylen was trying to sit up, his eyes widening. “Mace?”
“Ry?” The girl’s eyes filled with tears, and she ran to him. He reached out with his good arm to pull her in.
I covered my mouth against a cry, remembering him holding this tiny child when I was a teen.
“How?” Remy asked.
“This is my baby cousin,” Rylen said, and his voice was a mix of emotions. The whole room was either grinning or crying at this surprise. Ry waved me over to meet her again. I hugged her and wiped the tears from her face, then kissed Rylen again. Macy smiled up at Remy.
When there was finally a lull, Colonel Latham spoke again.
“The ship in France was smaller and apparently not as sturdy. They were able to take it down much faster and easier. But the Russians had a tougher time. We’re still awaiting the final word, but last I heard the ship had touched down and it was hand-to-hand. Others in Europe and Asia were on their way to help.”
“Damn,” Josh said. “That sucks.”
“They’ll beat ’em,” I said with a sense of sureness.
Devon stuck out his fist and I bumped it with mine.
“Oohrah, girl,” he told me, using the Marine version of the battle crycharge.
“Hooah,” I said back.
