“If I can get in unseen, then I can get out the same way. We have no other choice.”
“There’s always more than one choice. Besides, I’m a very good thief, and I know more than a little about getting through high security.”
I hugged my arms around my chest. “Trae—”
“No. Either I help you, or I’ll stop you.” There was a finality in his voice that brooked no argument. “Besides, there’s one thing
you seem to have forgotten.”
I frowned. “What?”
“The kids. If I can’t swim in or out that tunnel, then they’re sure as hell not going to be able to.”
God, he was right. I was an idiot. I sat down on a nearby rock and rested my head in my hands. “Then how are we going to get them out?”
“Easy. I create a diversion while you go in and free the kids and your mom.”
“That still leaves the problem of getting them out of the compound.”
His gaze ran across the water and studied the trees on the opposite shore. “How old are the kids again?”
“The oldest is fifteen, the youngest is seven.”
“So most of them should be able to shift shape and fly?”
I nodded. “All the boys can. Carli can shift, but she can’t hold shape very long. They took her too young and she just hasn’t had the practice.”
“But the others should at least be able to fly across the lake?”
I nodded, and studied him for a moment, watching the glint of sunshine run through the stubble lining his cheeks. Watching his blue eyes glitter and burn. “You have an idea?”
He nodded. “The best way to ensure they don’t notice you sneaking in is to give them something else to worry about.”
“But that could be dangerous. They know how to capture dragons, remember.”
“Not this dragon. Besides, I thrive on danger.” His words were gently mocking, but there was nothing mocking about the caring or determination in his eyes.
“But your skills are sunshine-linked. Our best chance of getting the kids and Mom out unseen is at night.”
“I agree, and yes, my flames are sunshine-linked. But there are other ways to light fires. Hell, matches have been around for ages.”
Matches meant getting a whole lot closer, though, and that was dangerous. But the resolve so evident in his eyes said there was no swaying him. “What about the kids, then?”
“Is there a way up onto the roof?”
I nodded. “There’s an old set of stairs near the cells, actually. I think the scientists have them locked off, but we could break the locks easily enough.”
“Good. Get the kids out first, and send them up the stairs. Twenty minutes after I start the diversion, I’ll make my way up there. I can carry little Carli, and the boys can fly after me.”
“Where to, though? It won’t be safe to bring them back here—they know the little ones can’t fly far, and will search through the closer villages.”
“The scientists are going to be too busy saving their asses and their work to immediately worry about finding the kids or you.”
I gave him a twisted smile. “The scientists never do what you expect them to—and they have a habit of anticipating my moves.”
“Then we book a cottage across the other side of the loch, somewhere that won’t strain the capabilities of young dragons who haven’t flown much.”
“That’ll work.” I studied him for a moment, then added, “Once the kids are safe, I can get Mom out through the well.”