Blood Song

"I have a couple of old allegedly decommissioned mines we could set out front to blow just before we go in," suggested Oliver helpfully. "And a couple of automatic rifles you could spray them with as you go in. Be a bit of a distraction, see."

"Once we have Mark, we'll let you know, and then we can all withdraw. This is going to have to be quick and dirty, get in and get out. The longer we hang around, the more likely it is we'll get hurt, or even killed."

"What about Anne?" Hugo asked quietly.

"If you can put her down, do it. But if not, we'll have to leave her for another time. Like I said, quick in and out. And we need to get going right now. She could easily remove Mark's shoes, and then whisk him away again, maybe even to that bunker Hugo here was talking about. Her operation's too big for us to find him easily. It could take us months to get him out." I was unexpectedly seized by a sense of urgency. "Oliver, you need to go and get the tank, and whatever other equipment I have no doubt you have hidden away, explosives included. Take Hugo with you."

"Right. You'd best show me how to drive this tank, then," Hugo sighed

Oliver grinned. "It's really more of an armoured vehicle. We need to fetch it first. Tell you what, you help me load it up and I'll let you drive it back here."

"Deal. Let's go. You can answer some questions along the way. Like how you and Angus can pinpoint where Mark is, for a start."

"I'll stay here with Fergus," I told their retreating backs. "I have a phone call I need to make."

"Are you going to tell her about me?" Hugo stopped suddenly, and turned around.

"Yes, I am."

"Tell her I'm sorry and I love her," smiled Hugo as Oliver led him out front to where the car was parked.

"I will."

Rebecca

The library was wrapped in darkness when I was woken by a shrill and persistent ringing sound. It took a couple of seconds before I realised that the smart phone Fergus had given me earlier that day was ringing insistently. Must have been the bright flashing screen that gave it away. It took me another few seconds to figure out how to answer the damn thing.

"Hello?" I said, my voice husky from just having woken up.

"Hello, my little love," said the sexiest voice ever. I felt my breath catch in my throat, and I shuddered at the sheer delight of that voice travelling from my ears to the rest of my body. Four words and I was jelly.