Chapter 467

When Leah oprned her eyes, the first pale pink wash of dawn was just beginning to peek over the hills to the east, illuminating the tall barrier fence surrounding San Diego. A twinge of guilt pricked at her conscience about not stopping by her home to tell her parents what she was up to, but she quickly forced it down. Ariandre had said that time was of the essence, so Leah wanted to get to the assigned spot as swiftly as they could. Sergeant Watson would let her parents know what she was doing soon enough.

Rather than entering the city, where navigating roads and neighborhoods would slow him down, Kai skirted the boundary fence, remaining out in the open landscape where he could run at full speed. It did not take long to reach the beach a few miles north of their destination. Turning south, he ran on the firm, damp sand along the ocean’s edge. A few minutes later, Leah saw the familiar remains of the pier jutting out into the sea.

Kai set her down upon the sand