章 329: Ava: Security

A beat-up red sedan rolls to a stop. Then the passenger door flies open, and Lisa dashes out.

"Ava!"

I meet her halfway, throwing my arms around her and pulling her close. She's clammy with sweat, and her hands shake where they rest against my back.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she says, trying to sound breezy and nonchalant even as her voice shakes. "Just glad to get out of the car."

Over Lisa's shoulder, I see Kellan emerge from the driver's side. He looks grim, with a tight-lipped expression of concentration. He nods at me before turning to the back of the car, where the Grand Sage and Elverly are.

"Come on," I say, tugging gently on Lisa's arm. "Let's get inside. We can talk there."

As we walk, Lisa fills me in on their harrowing escape. Her words are rushed, stumbling over each other, a vivid picture of her fear, even as she throws a few jokes in to lighten the mood.