The beta team stared at one another, faces illuminated by the red lights over the door. Jennet curled her nails into her palms until her skin stung. They couldn’t fail, not now.
T“Dad…”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “You all need to get out before the alarms go off.”
“Wait,” a high clear voice said. “Do not depart.”
“Puck?” Jennet whirled, searching the shadows.
The sprite stepped forward, his clothing like frayed oak leaves, his hair tangled about his face. She heard her dad suck in his breath.
“Lift me toward the mechanism,” Puck said, gesturing at the keypad.
“Can’t you fly up there?” Lassiter asked.
“Too much iron bounds me on all sides. I must save my magic for what is essential.”
Jennet grasped the sprite and held him up before the lock. He weighed little more than twigs and tatters
