Colah shouted when the icy burn of the bullet ran through her left shoulder and knocked her off her tenuous perch.
She heard screams from Cabbili and Makki but was unable to concentrate on anything other than saving her own life.
Making a choice between life and freedom in a hundred feet was no contest. If she had her life, she could pursue freedom later.
With the propulsion of muscle and mind, she changed her trajectory and lifted her body into the air in a graceful arc. She returned to the rooftop where her sister and niece were clutching each other, sobbing together.
"Cabbi, I am so sorry. They will come for me right away, but know that I love you both and always will. Makki, do your homework and always listen to your mom. She may not be right, but she deserves respect for putting up with your dad all these years."
Makki sobbed and then smiled, "Aunt Col, you can fly."
"Yes, sweetie, I can fly. And now, I can be arrested with as much dignity as I can manage." She pressed a kiss to Makki's forehead and hugged her sister.
The door to the roof burst open as the guards surged in to round up any residual thieves. Once they determined that there was no additional danger, the guard in charge approached her.
He held out wide manacles and gestured for her to turn around. As he locked her arms behind her back, he spoke the words she had been dreading for years. "As you are a physical talent, I now order you to be bound by law and remanded to the dome for confinement. Your restriction begins immediately."
)
