Personal Assistance (Entangled Ignite) by Louise Rose-Innes Page A

stared up at the starry sky. “But it’s still nighttime.” The almost-full moon hung low in the sky, ready to move on to the other half of the world.
    “It’s 0500 hours. If we get going we should make it to Mandhab just after sunrise.”
    That meant another long walk. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. The ruins appeared incandescent in the moonlight. The pale stone formations seemed to glow with an inner light that was both beautiful and disconcerting.
    “Okay, okay.” There was nothing to pack up. She’d slept in her clothes, using Tom’s backpack as a pillow. The night was warm enough to not need a blanket, and she’d been so tired, she’d fallen asleep instantly.
    The dark circles under his eyes made him look tired, but his expression was as alert as always. “Did you sleep?” she asked, getting to her feet.
    “A little.” He lifted his pack off the ground and fastened it on his back. “I wanted to keep an eye out for any visitors from the Air Force base. I wasn’t sure if they’d follow us this far, or not.”
    “I didn’t think of that.” She stood up and ran a hand through her hair. It was gritty with sand. Ignoring that fact, she said, “I’m glad I’ve got you to watch out for me, Tom.”
    He gazed at her for a moment, then looked away and said, “It’s what I do.”
    She didn’t reply. Instead, she brushed herself off and fastened the scarf around her neck to ward off the early morning chill.
    “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
    …
    Just before sunrise, they saw the lights of the town glittering up ahead. It was nestled against a series of jagged hills, slightly smaller than a mountain range but still sporting dramatic rock faces that glowed purple in the early morning light. They didn’t make a direct approach but rather circled around it and entered from a small road at the foot of the hill.
    “This place is a rebel stronghold,” Tom pointed out, as they kept to the shadows.
    She came to a sudden halt. “What? Didn’t you say we were to avoid the rebels at all costs? What if they find out who I am?” She swallowed nervously.
    “Calm down. These rebels aren’t going to be interested in you. They have their own problems to worry about. They’ve had days of mortar attacks and gunfights with government militia. That’s why it’s so run down. The army withdrew a few days ago. Most people here are still getting used to the ceasefire.”
    She looked around. That would explain the crumbling buildings with gaping holes where the windows ought to be. Electrical wires hung, exposed, onto the sidewalk, and street poles were bent over at strange angles. The roads were gravel, and in sections, obscured by concrete from houses that had collapsed due to the bombing. Burned-out vehicles lined the street. But despite all this, people were beginning to venture out for the day, some dressed for work, others just to survey the damage.
    “I know a place where we can rest and get something to eat. It’s two blocks away.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “We’re almost there.”
    Now she was on the lookout for both soldiers and rebels and she didn’t know which was worse. There were lots of men dressed in the colors of the freedom movement, but there seemed to be no military presence.
    They turned down a side street, after the post office, which led to a small line of shops—or what was left of them. All the windows were covered with wooden or iron sheeting, even though they would soon open for business. The owners were taking no chances.
    “Is this where we’re going?” she asked, as he stopped in front of a small convenience store. It too was boarded up. The shop sign hung haphazardly above the door, and the ground outside was strewn with broken tiles and other debris.
    He tried the door and found it was unlocked. He pushed it open, and a small bell tinkled. A man with thick black hair and a beard poked his head out from under the counter.
    “Can I help you?” he asked, in