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where this would lead。
But I was grateful that he helped me convince Jared there was time to make the raid and get back
before a decision was made about Kyle。 Grateful also that he was back to playing bodyguard。 I knew I
could trust Ian with the shiny cryotank more than anyone else。 He was the only one I would let hold it
when I needed my arms。 He was the only one who could see； in the shape of that small container； a life
to be protected。 He could think of that shape as a friend； something that could be loved。 He was the best
ally of all。 I was so grateful for Ian； and so grateful for the obliviousness that saved him； for the moment；
from pain。
We had to be fast； in case Kyle ruined everything。 We went to Phoenix again； to one of the many
munities that spun out from the hub。 There was a big shuttle field to the southeast； in a town called
Mesa； with several Healing facilities nearby。 That was what I wanted—I would give them as much as I
could before I left。 If we took a Healer； then we might be able to preserve the Healer’s memory in the
host body。 Someone who understood all the medicines and their uses。 Someone who knew the best
ways to get to unattended stashes。 Doc would love that。 I could imagine all the questions he’d be dying
to ask。
First the shuttle field。
I was sad that Jeb was missing this； but he’d have so many other chances in the future。 Though it was
dark； a long line of small snub…nosed shuttles drifted in to land while others took flight in an endless
stream。
I drove the old van while the others rode in the back—Ian in charge of the tank； of course。 I circled the
field； staying clear of the busy local terminal。 It was easy to spot the vast； sleek white vessels that left the
planet。 They did not depart with the frequency of the smaller ships。 All I saw were docked； none
preparing to leave immediately。
“Everything’s labeled；” I reported to the others； invisible in the dark back。 “Now； this is important。
I drove slowly； close to the crafts。
“This will be easy。 They’ve got all kinds of delivery vehicles out here； and we blend in。 Oh！ I can see a
tank truck—it’s just like the one we saw them unloading at the hospital； Jared。 There’s a man looking
over the stacks… He’s putting them onto a hover cart。 He’s going to load them…” I drove even slower；
trying to get a good look。 “Yes； ontothis ship。 Right into the open hatch。 I’ll circle back and make my
move when he’s in the ship。” I pulled past； examining the scene in my mirrors。 There was a lit sign beside
the tube that connected the head of the ship to the terminal。 I smiled as I read the words backward。 This
ship was going to the Flowers。 It was meant to be。
I made a slow turn as the man disappeared into the hull of the ship。
“Get ready；” I whispered as I pulled into the shadow made by the cylindrical wing of the next enormous
ship over。 I was only three or four yards from the tank truck。 There were a few technicians working near
the front of the Flower…bound vessel and others； farther away； out on the old runway。 I would be just
another figure in the night。
I cut the engine and hopped down from the driver’s seat； trying to look casual； like I was only doing my
job。 I went around to the back of the van and opened the door a crack。 The tank was right at the edge；
the light on top glowing dull red； signifying that it was occupied。 I lifted it carefully and closed the door。
I kept up an easy rolling pace as I walked to the open end of the truck。 But my breathing sped up。 This
felt more dangerous than the hospital； and that worried me。 Could I expect my humans to risk their lives
this way？
I’ll be there。 I’ll do it myself； just like you would。 On the off chance you get your way； that is。
Thanks； Mel。
I had to force myself not to keep glancing over my shoulder at the open hatch where the man had
disappeared。 I placed the tank gently atop the closest column in the truck。 The addition； one among
hundreds； was not noticeable。
“Goodbye；” I whispered。 “Better luck with your next host。”
I walked back to the van as slowly as I could stand to。
It was silent in the van as I reversed out from under the big ship。 I started back the way we’d e； my
heart hammering too fast。 In my mirrors； the hatch remained empty。 I didn’t see the man emerge before
the ship was out of sight。
Ian climbed into the passenger seat。 “Doesn’t look too hard。”
“It was very good luck with the timing。 You might have to wait longer for an opportunity next time。”
Ian reached over to take my hand。 “You’re the good…luck charm。”
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。
“Do you feel better now that she’s safe？”
“Yes。”
I saw his head turn sharply as he heard the unexpected sound of a lie in my voice。 I didn’t meet his gaze。
“Let’s go catch some Healers；” I muttered。
Ian was silent and thoughtful as we drove the short distance to the small Healing facility。
I’d thought the second task would be the challenge； the danger。 The plan was that I would—if the
conditions and numbers were right—try to lead a Healer or two out of the facility under the pretext that I
had an injured friend in my van。 An old trick； but one that would work only too well on the unsuspecting；
trusting Healers。
As it turned out； I didn’t even have to go in。 I pulled into the lot just as two middle…aged Healers； a man
and a woman wearing purple scrubs； were getting into a car。 Their shift over； they were heading home。
The car was around the corner from the entrance。 No one else was in sight。
Ian nodded tensely。
I stopped the van right behind their car。 They looked up； surprised。
I opened my door and slid out。 My voice was thick with tears； my face twisted with remorse； and that
helped to fool them。
“My friend is in the back—I don’t know what’s wrong with him。”
They responded with the instant concern I knew they would show。 I hurried to open the back doors for
them； and they followed right behind。 Ian went around the other side。 Jared was ready with the
chloroform。
I didn’t watch。
It took just seconds。 Jared hauled the unconscious bodies into the back； and Ian slammed the doors
shut。 Ian stared at my tear…swollen eyes for just a second； then took the driver’s seat。
I rode shotgun。 He held my hand again。
“Sorry； Wanda。 I know this is hard for you。”
“Yes。” He had no idea how hard； and for how many different reasons。
He squeezed my fingers。 “But that went well； at least。 You make an excellent charm。”
Too well。 Both missions had gone too perfectly； too fast。 Fate was rushing me。
He drove back toward the freeway。 After a few minutes； I saw a bright； familiar sign in the distance。 I
took a deep breath and wiped my eyes clear。
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”
“Anything you want。”
“I want fast food。”
He laughed。 “No problem。”
We switched seats in the parking lot； and I drove up to the ordering box。
“What do you want？” I asked Ian。
“Nothing。 I’m getting a kick