Miles - Pre-empts attacks

They’re close enough for me to see they’re looking up at me. They finally lock in on the grappling idea and a second huge red hook clamps into the edge of the building, way too close to my fingers. I go reeling back just as they launch themselves up to perch exactly where I was two seconds ago.

They kneel at the edge of the building where they’ve just landed, and then, gradually, with the sun behind them and everything, they rise to full height.

***

Suddenly, I feel my foot catch something behind me—just the slightest bit of resistance against my Achilles heel, and instinct, I guess, sends me ducking to the ground just as a huge metal net with prongs comes flying at me, lodging itself in the rooftop door to my right.

That’s one security measure I forgot to anticipate but that I shouldn’t really be surprised by—net guns.

***

Chapter 7