First World(67)

Looking down, I picked up one of my knives. I’d lost it as I dived away. The other was still strapped into my jacket cuff. Lucky I hadn’t cut my own hand off.

“I’ll run through the tables and draw her fire,” Lucy whispered quietly. “You take Olden out.”

I shook my head fervently. No way ... hell, no.

“You know I’m right. You’re awesome with the knives, but even you can’t dodge bullets and aim.” Fire burned in her blue eyes.

“Wait a minute. My father’s like a superman dude or something. Maybe bullets do just bounce off me?”

Our whispered conversation was interrupted.

“Sorry, baby girl, we’re not bulletproof. Weapons can injure and incapacitate us. We just have the ability to heal from almost anything.”

I jumped about a foot in the air. Lucy pretty much ended up in my lap.

I hadn’t even seen Josian arrive. Bloody sneaky superman.

“So I think I’ll be the distraction. You girls do what you need to take your leader out.”

I looked into the burnt amber of his eyes and nodded. This was a plan I could work with.

“On the count of three.” He smiled.

Between us we had six knives. Time to make them count.

I tightened my hold on the handle, breathing in and out to calm my nerves.

“I never took you for a coward, Abigail ... if that’s even your name.” Olden’s mocking voice rang out.

I ignored her; I had people to save. The fact Josian wasn’t going mental and killing everyone meant Lallielle was still alive, but I didn’t know about the rest.

“One ... two ... three ... go.”

He dived into the centre of the path. By the time I stood knives-ready, Josian was already dodging in and out along the path, moving almost too quickly for me to track him. He seemed to be throwing small balls of light in Olden’s direction. It was utter confusion.

Olden definitely hadn’t been expecting that. In the few moments it took her to raise her weapon back to firing position, I dived sideways from my table into the path. I palmed off the first knife, mid-flight. Crouching, I took an extra heartbeat to breathe and calm before releasing my second.

The first flew a little wide; it was embedded in the crate behind Olden’s head. But the second was a direct hit. Unfortunately her guard was good at his job. He sprung forth, and by the time I looked again the knife was hilt-deep in his throat. Lucy had followed suit and her knife took out the other guard. I didn’t have time to comprehend that I’d just ended a life. Something for therapy at a later date. I needed to help my father.

Josian was almost at the end of the path. Pulling out my remaining knives, I followed him. I dodged and dived, waiting for shots to rain on me. I couldn’t see Olden through the confusion – people had started moving. I jumped a few of the bodies lying in the path. Some familiar faces with lifeless eyes haunted me as I sprinted. My chest was tight with anger, the panic ebbing on and off along with high doses of nausea.

“Where’s Olden?” I puffed to Lucy, who was right behind me.

“I have no idea. I can’t see her anymore.”

We reached the junction of the path. Josian had the lifeless body of the second guard clutched in his hand. I couldn’t see any damage, except for Lucy’s knife protruding from the man’s bicep. But he was dead.

“Broken neck,” Josian said shortly.

“There’s a blood trail here. Did Olden get hit?” Lucy pointed out a trail of drops that became heavier the further they went.

She was distracted as Samuel reached her side, sweeping her into a hug.

“Lucy, are you okay? I couldn’t find you.” The stress was apparent in his voice.

She gave him a squeeze. “I was with Abbs. We’re all good. Sorry I scared you.” Her voice lowered then. “I understand your fears, but you know over-protective crap just pisses me off, Sammy.”

His eyes met mine over her shoulder. The smallest grin graced his lips. Despite my own small petty jealousy, it made me happy to see he enjoyed Lucy’s smart mouth for more than just kissing the heck out of her.

I couldn’t see Brace anywhere as I frantically scanned the room. I refused to think anything had happened to him. After so many years of dream meetings and then this recent time, I wasn’t sure I could imagine a world he wasn’t part of. Turning away, I started to follow the bloody path for a short distance. Chrissie appeared at my side – scaring the crap out of me – her face tear-streaked.

“Chandra’s dead.” She said it without emotion.

I gasped, trying to breathe through the shock and pain. Although we’d never had much to do with each other, I liked Chandra. Chrissie’s best friend, with her golden-brown hair and stunning chocolate eyes, had been the outgoing centre of attention. Funny and charming.