Madly & the Jackal by M. Leighton

Author:M. Leighton [Leighton, M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: M. Leighton Books
Published: 2012-05-25T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Jackson must’ve been waiting for us to get back. Jersey and I had just walked into our room when the adjoining door opened. I felt my face flush with pleasure at the sight of him standing in the doorway.

We started to smile at one another, but it was as if, at the exact same moment, we both realized that Jersey was watching. She hadn’t witnessed Jackson’s confession after we captured Wolfhardt, so she didn’t know that we were aware of each other’s feelings. And that was no doubt for the best. At least for the time being anyway.

Jackson cleared his throat and I turned away, busying myself with straightening my bed before I sat down on it. I worked hard to school my features before turning back around.

“Where have you two been?”

“Visiting Aidan and Kellina. Is that a problem?” Jersey asked drolly.

Jackson didn’t answer. “Got some good news at Transport.”

Jackson looked from me to Jersey and back again. “Go ahead. She knows the gist of what’s going on.”

“No running your mouth, Jersey. You can’t—”

“I know, I know,” she interrupted testily. “We’ve been through this once before. Remember? I actually helped last time.”

Jackson grunted. “That’s debatable.”

“Hey, don’t forget that it was me who—”

“All right, you two. Enough. Jersey’s fine. Jackson, what did you find out?”

The two siblings glared at each other for several seconds longer before Jackson’s expression cleared and he turned to me. “It looks like we might have a little bit of a break.”

I perked up instantly. “Why do you say that? Do you know who the descendant is?”

“Now Madly, would I have called that a ‘little’ break?”

I felt deflated. “Good point. So what is it?”

“When the first couple of Lore were released, Atlas’s systems tried to catch up. The shields flickered for a couple of seconds three times. Each time they did, it slowed the escape of the Lore. What that means for us is that it should be longer between arrivals now. We might have a little more time to think and plan between captures.”

“Time to plan? That would be nice. Maybe we could even find a way to free Atlas before the next one arrives.” I paused. “Provided, of course, that we can catch these two quickly.”

“That’s something else. It’s supposed to rain later today. After I get back from my debriefing, maybe we could go out and let you conjure up all the science geeks before we hit the books tonight.”

Jackson’s eyes twinkled and my stomach muscles clenched. I tried hard not to smile, to act normal. Well, what Jersey knew as my normal anyway.

“Sounds good. I don’t have any other plans. Not that it would matter. This is important,” I added for good measure.

“I can help,” Jersey chimed. “You know how much I love to play in the rain.”

Jackson and I both turned to look at her, neither having expected her offer. And I don’t know why. Jersey wasn’t the type who liked to be left out of anything.

“Um, we, uh, I’m not sure if we could concentrate enough with you there, Jersey,” I stammered.

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