“You came back for me,” Annie realized aloud.
Kismet suddenly found himself locked in her embrace, her lips pressing against his. He did not resist. A moment later, she leaned back and tousled his hair. “So…you’re not exactly the older man anymore.”
“I’m sure the effects are just temporary. I hope they are. I have to shave twice a day just to keep this beard under control.”
“I kind of like it.” She kissed him again. “And I’m flattered that you were willing to sacrifice the secret of immortality to save me. I just hope it was worth it.”
Kismet gazed back at her, and then glanced at Higgins, who shuffled sightlessly along. The ordeal had cost a lot more than just the Seed.
But maybe the old saying was true, maybe time really did heal all wounds. It had taken more than twenty years, but it finally felt like the ordeal that had begun that night in Iraq was over. The chains that had bound Higgins to him were finally broken. He didn’t know if their relationship — friendship, camaraderie, brotherhood, whatever it was — would endure, but at least the shadow that had corrupted it was gone.
“Definitely,” he answered finally. “Because I got my friends back. Both of you.”
Higgins gave a wan smile and nodded, though Kismet could tell that his eyesight hadn’t yet returned. Maybe because he’d been staring right at the blast, it wouldn’t…
He took out his hip flask. “Al, you look like you could use a drink.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SEAN ELLIS is the author of several novels. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Policy from Oregon State University. He lives in Arizona, where he divides his time between writing, adventure sports, and trying to figure out how to save the world. You can find out more about Sean at his website: www.seanellisthrillers.webs.com.