Obviously, she would do whatever it took to help Alexander. It showed.
“I understand,” I conceded, clearing my throat.
“The correct question is: What are you doing here? I mean, besides putting yourself in useless danger. You have no training for this. What were you planning? Go back to the cabin and leave with the firefighters—that will be best. Play disoriented and they won’t ask many questions. I’ll handle things from here.”
I realized she wasn’t treating me with respect, the way she did her peers. Nika had never addressed me formally, and although that didn’t offend me, I didn’t particularly like it either. Every word she directed at me sounded condescending when it left her mouth.
“I’m not backing down now, Nika,” I warned her sternly. “And don’t judge or underestimate me, please—
