Chapter 22: Allies, Part 1

Michael

'Take me down the rabbit hole.'

Her words ricochet through my head.

Eventually, head drooping and eyes closing, she falls asleep between us.

Hardly surprising. She must be exhausted....

James leans around from behind to see her face then, when it is clear that she is sleeping, meets my eyes to head-point me out to the lounge.

As I make myself comfortable, he holds up a bottle of malt and a glass, the question in his eyes.

"Yes, I will, thanks."

Pouring two glasses, he places the bottle on the table between us. "So, what do you think?"

I swish the excellent whiskey around my mouth, trying to assemble a sensible answer. "I barely know what to think...." Swallowing, liquid fire warms embers in my throat and stomach. "She's.... amazing." Then, feeling contrite. "Um.... my apologies for some of the things I said to you before. I was out of order; wrong. I can see how well you've treated her and...."

He leans forward, elbows on his knees, looking at me from hooded