493 It Won't Kill Me

“Are you all right?”

The question hung in the air between them for a long time.

She took a deep breath, pushing it back out slowly.

“I’m fine,” Alice smiled.

“You know you don’t have to be, right?” Peter asked.

Alice nodded.

“Maybe someday,” she said gently. “But today, I’m the answer to Myka’s problems, so… I’m fine.”

Alice shrugged her eyebrows playfully and smiled brightly.

“Let’s get to work, shall we?”

“Alice…” Peter began.

“Peter,” Alice cut him off as she stood up from her chair. “There is no time. You must double-check the results and set up everything so we can get this done.”

She moved past him, heading toward the door.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

Alice looked back over her shoulder.

“Axel and I are bonded,” she said. “If I don’t tell him what’s going to happen, he’ll think I’m dying. That won’t be good for anyone.”

“Good call,” Peter replied with honest gratitude.