Emergence (The Primogenitor Chronicles Book 1) Read Free

wings. The space was too cramped. He hated the van. Well, any vehicle really. I guess I shouldn’t complain. I get more free flight than any of the others.
    He settled deeper into the van’s seat and took another breath in an effort to relax his back muscles. They were almost to their destination—finally.
    “Nick, why didn’t Ian send Gamma team out for this recovery? This is their territory,” Christoff asked.
    Nickolas had wondered the same thing. Especially since I still have a boatload of paper work to contend with. He knows that . And the retrieval documents fell short of normal. Maybe that counted as an explanation for their assignment? “Jules, have they sent any more details?”
    The small, dark-haired communications technician didn’t bother to turn away from his bank of monitors and equipment. The grounded just shook his head.
    Nickolas sighed and turned back to Christoff. “I have no idea, Chris. We’re the only fledged team members, that’s my best guess. You’re right that Jeff’s team should be the one handling this recovery. They’re already stationed out here. It’s a six-hour drive for us.”
    “Well, other than being stuck in this van for hours, it is nice to get out of the Facility for a bit. I haven’t gotten out for a few weeks.” Christoff raked a hand across his head, tousling his blond hair before he shifted again.
    “Hmmm,” Nickolas returned. Yes and no Chris. You know how much I hate recoveries.
    Christoff laughed. “Don’t even try to pretend you aren’t glad to be out for a bit. You need to loosen up and relax. Enjoy some free time. You’re way too serious.”
    Nickolas scowled halfheartedly at his brother. Too serious? What else was there for him to do? Between the piles of paper work and responsibilities to his little clan of Valkyries, the schedule of tests and training they were always under. What was he supposed to do to have fun? The closest he got was sparring in the ring. But that only occupied his mind for a brief period of time. The others all had each other for companionship; he never quite fit in.
    “See, there you go again, Nick. Stop thinking so much.”
    “Well, one of us has to, Chris.”
    “Oh, ow.” Christoff gasped, dramatically clutching his heart. “That one was really uncalled for.” He laughed.
    Nickolas’s lips twitched. He could always count on Christoff to be a clown. Somehow his little brother never failed to notice when he needed distracting.
    “We have another couple of blocks before we arrive, Nickolas,” Flynn called from the driver’s seat.
    Nickolas watched the levity leave his brother’s face. Christoff was fully aware of how hard a trip like this was for him.
    Hating his weakness, Nickolas looked out the window onto the darkened pavement. They wound their way down a rustic, residential street. Unlike most cities, where the houses were so close they were touching, these houses had large yards, lots of space. Huge, big-leaf maples lined the road, blocking out a majority of the light cast by the street lamps. Flynn pulled the van up behind a dark SUV.
    Before the engine died, Nickolas had popped open the door and was climbing out. He stretched his wings to their full extension before folding them closed on a sigh of relief. He could finally breathe. The sound of Christoff’s wings followed suit.
    Jeff and Rick climbed out of the SUV and came over to join them. “What are we looking at, Jeff?” Nickolas asked.
    The Gamma team leader smiled a greeting. “She was lethargic when she came home. She arrived about seven tonight. We haven’t seen any movement for at least four hours.”
    “Good.” Nickolas caught Flynn’s attention when he came around the van. “Flynn, get the back ready for our guest. Jules, ready to get us inside?”
    Smiling from ear to ear, Jules pulled a little black case out of his pocket and tossed it in the air. “I’m always ready, Nick.”
    Nickolas rolled his eyes at the wiry little man before turning