They didn't take the train again; for obvious reasons. Instead, the detectives used James' black and gold hover. It looked a lot like a plane, but much smaller and easier to maneuver.
Bash rived up the engine, while Emory flipped the switch to the thrusters.
"Do you even know how to fly this thing?" She asked, hesitantly pushing button for taking off.
"Not a clue, but it's probably the same as flying a helicopter." He chuckled, gently lifting the vehicle off the ground.
"So that means you can fly?" He chuckled, shaking his head.
"What is that supposed to mean? BASH!" He gently lifted off the ground, put the ship into cloak mode; and sped forward at full speed.
Emory jerked back in her seat, her eyes bulging out of her head. Pain flared from the incision in her head, but only for a moment. In a few seconds, the hover came to a stop, Emory glared at him furiously.
"You were the one who said we should get here right away!" He protested, landing just outside the town. "So what's your plan? Guns blazing? Negotiation? Undercover?"
"What are you even saying? Just follow my lead!" Bash nodded as she slapped the exit button, racing to disembark the ship.
Emory ran off the ship. Bash trailing behind her, loading the pistol he found on the ship.
Coldspire's main building had been created entirely out of ice, with big protruding steel sculptures of the Core's symbol (a skull with deer horns) on either side of the doors. The doors themselves, however, were made entirely out of uncut diamonds. The entrance looked completely abandoned, spare for the two guards that stood motionless holding M-16's.
A blizzard had formed, making it utterly impossible to see, but Emory didn't care. All she cared about was saving her mom and delivering her safely to Vendaven. If she hadn't been focused before, Emory appeared driven now.
"Alright, stay here and wait for the signal." Bash seemed confused while he brushed a stray hair out of his face. "You'll know the signal when you hear it!" She hissed, stepping out into the open.
The guards raised their guns, and Emory put her hands up.
"Please! My husband...he is injured! Our hover crashed a few miles south of here! I'm just looking for shelter and medical supplies for him!" With every word she got closer, the guards still had their guns trained on Emory.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry but I cannot let you...or your husband in. It is a matter of the Core's security!" Emory whistled, causing the guard on the left to become startled and pull the trigger. Emory sucked in a breath as she felt the bullet graze her right cheek. Two more gunshots rang out, each hitting a guard in the chest. Bash rang out, grabbed her and held her face in his hands.
"Are you ok? I'm so sorry! I should have realized that was the signal!" Even though the blood dripped freely from her wound, it only stung like a paper cut.
"It doesn't even hurt!" She protested, Bash caressed her cheek lightly.
"I will never let anyone hurt you again!" He promised, sincere as could be.
"Soooo...husband huh?" He changed the subject, giving her that smirk again. She rolled her eyes playfully.
"Shut up." Emory replied back.
Before he knew what he was thinking, he leaned in a pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
"DROP THE GUN SLOWLY, PUT YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD AND GET ON THE GROUND! NOW!" They quickly pulled apart, Bash standing protectively in front of Emory. He did what the guard told him to do, and Emory followed suit.
