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Chapter 18

“Respond! Lincoln, giveus an update.” Terror gripped Jude as he tried to reach Lincoln.

“I’m sending in the team from Hive Two.” Heath’s voice was tight with tension. “They’re closest to the zone Lincoln was flying over.”

“I’m with them,” said Tobias. “We’ll be at Lincoln’s last known location in twenty minutes.”

“We need to get there too.” Jude looked at Octavia. “I can’t leave him out there on his own.”

Octavia looked over her shoulder at the comms equipment. “If I leave the van, I won’t be able to check in with my contacts. We won’t know who’s available to help us.”

Jude sucked in a breath. “Fine. We’ll take the van.”

“You said it wouldn’t hold together.”

“It has to. Let me drive.”

Octavia slid from her seat without protest.

Jude gritted his teeth as he felt the engine rumble. He sent a silent prayer to any god who might still be listening, willing Lincoln to be okay. He was always so cocksure, the fly boy who never lost. This couldn’t be how it ended for him.

Octavia’s hand rested on his. “Take the bike. You can get there faster. You’ll be able to use shortcuts that the van won’t be able to squeeze through.”

Jude shook his head as he drove. “I’m not leaving you on your own.”

“I’ll keep the Invis Tech on. No one will find me.” Her grip tightened on his hand. “You need to get to Lincoln.”

Indecision tore at him. A big part of Jude needed to keep her safe, but what about Lincoln? He was in trouble. He needed help.

“Go. Lincoln needs you. I’ll follow right behind you. I’ll keep listening to the comms channels, and will keep a tally of who can offer us help. By the time I get to you, I’ll know who can help. Then Tobias can coordinate everything else.”

Jude hated to leave her, but Octavia was making sense. “Don’t you dare do anything reckless. Don’t push this piece of tin too fast. The engine could blow. Then you’d be stranded.”

“I’ve never pushed this van,” said Octavia. “I know her limits. It’s why she’s been going for so long.”

Jude stopped the van. He grabbed Octavia and kissed her, wanting her taste in his mouth before he left. It would be a reminder of what he needed to come back for.

She kissed him back just as fiercely, her arms wrapping around his neck as they clung to each other. She pulled back, her breathing ragged. “Get out of here before you make me regret letting you go.”

He flashed her a smile. Jude grabbed the bike and rolled it out of the van onto the dark, damp road. He looked back to see Octavia in the doorway, concern in her eyes. “Stay safe, beautiful.” He kicked off and slammed the bike into action, speeding away from Octavia.

The helmet comms link he wore activated. “Jude, what’s your situation?”

“I’m back on the bike,” said Jude. “On my way to Lincoln’s last known location. Octavia is following in the van.”

“Has there been any responses to the message sent out?” asked Heath.

“Not yet.” Octavia came on the comms link. “People will come forward.”

“Is there any news on Lincoln?” asked Jude.

“Not since his last comm,” said Heath.

“We’ll get him,” said Jude. “He will be fine.” He had to be. Jude would not lose a brother. Not ever.

***

THE HAPPINESS OCTAVIAfelt was smashed to pieces. She couldn’t stop replaying the look of horror on Jude’s face when he’d heard that cry from Lincoln, and then the sickening radio silence.