Echoes Of The Broken Vow, Her Ultimate Ascent
Bob casts a tense glance at Frank, who turns his eyes at yellow-haired Bill Cranston, my head of security.
Bill is a small, stout man with a rounded belly that started growing rapidly early this year after he got married. He shifts his weight uncomfortably from foot to foot.
"Um, Alpha," he stammers, "technically, it's not a bomb . . ."
I glare at him. "Then what is it?"
"It's a firecracker, sir," he says. "An industrial-grade, pressurized novelty charge."
I frown. This is ridiculous. I scan the rest of the room. None of them look surprised. Bob and Frank are watching me with cautious, guarded expressions. Did one of them set this up as some sick, fucked-up practical joke?