Chapter 18
“Select your allies with care, then trust them with abandon. Half-measures only breed partial allegiance.” – Empress Janais, The Fifth Age of Umbra
Next morning, 5:59 AM.
I stand in the corner of reception atrium for Mass General Hospital. Glass walls tower above me, revealing the false sunny sky of the Boston Dome. A grumpy-faced guard with sleepy eyes and long jowls sits behind the security desk. I check my watch.
6 AM on the nose.
I hand over my key card. “Thorne Oxblood, reporting for duty.”
“Is that a regulation outfit?” asks the guard.
What is it with this planet and dress codes? For the record, I’m still in my jeans and security shirt from last night. For now, it’s the best disguise I’ve got.
“Absolutely,” I lie. “New rules from Godwin.”
“Oh, that’s fine, I suppo
