Silver Elite

by Dani Francis

“You seriously grew up here?” Xavier’s voice slices through the darkness. “Only for three years,” I answer. “Stop. Stop, damn it.” “Stop what?” “You’re walking too fast. You need to slow down and be more careful.” “Like I keep telling you, I’ve been a soldier far longer than you,” he grumbles. I halt. Grabbing his arm by feel, and not because I can see it. I curl my fingers around his biceps, keeping him in place. “You don’t get it. This isn’t a Silver Elite operation. One wrong step and you’re drowning in a pit of black sand. So please, stay close to me. Follow me and I’ll get us where we need to go. And should you continue to be stubborn, I’m going to step aside and let the horned bear eat you.” His breath hitches. “Fuck off. There isn’t a horned bear here.” “Don’t worry. He doesn’t usually come out in the morning.” “This is morning?” he squawks. “Of course. It’s positively bright.” He snorts out a grudging chuckle. “I kind of see why he likes you.” “He more than likes me. He’s obsessed.” That gets me another chuckle. We press forward.