"Are you getting a move on or what, newbie?" Carmody demands, sounding fidgety. "The Peelers're not going to stay on the other side of the canal indefinitely!"

Nix, a odd, not-quite-smile on her face, wraps her free arm around Reid.

"Imagine what an idiot I'd look if I let you get hurt," she tells him. "I'm stronger than I look, and I've done this before. Loop your arms around my neck and don't worry."