Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(113)

“To gloat, no doubt. But if this bastard is planning to take control, the Jurou Biljana won’t come close enough to be seen. It would ruin the charade,” Cyprian replied while goading Feroze forward.

That puts the reptiles somewhere in the middle. But where?

“Dagaa,” Cyprian yelled when he saw the warrior, giving cover to a Cadi female and her youth.

“What?” Dagaa hollered back, then ducked behind the ruined buffet table.

“The camouflaged orbs are programmed to recognize us, so cover your head,” Cyprian replied.

“Where’s Providence?” Riley yelled.

“Trying to shorten my lifespan.” Dagaa gestured over his shoulder, while using a tablecloth to cover his head.

Providence and June were helping Rark and Vivina, while Tytus offered cover, firing his disrupter at the camouflaged foe. Tytus’ shot struck a swooping orb, sending the sphere off course. Otherwise the disrupter blast had no effect on the damn things. Cyprian growled in frustration. Retreat was the only option.

“Leave the female and young. They’re safer without you near. We need to reach Kagan, before he gets himself killed,” Cyprian instructed Dagga. It sounded cruel, but it was true.

“I’ll help them. Go,” Riley said, then hustled toward the middle of the courtyard, before Cyprian could object. She crouched low as she ran, wiggling her lush ass at him.

“Get your tail to a warehouse, and stay there,” he insisted.

Parting from Riley went against every instinct he had. Logically Cyprian knew he needed to take his own advice. Riley would be safer if she was nowhere near him. Still it made him gnash his teeth in outrage.

“I’m not making any promises. Don’t get shot,” Riley yelled over her shoulder.

“Dammit,” Cyprian muttered, knowing full well Riley wouldn’t listen. “Get moving,” Cyprian snarled, shoving Feroze a little more violently than called for.

“I’m going,” Feroze simpered.

Cyprian was sick of the sniveling male. If it weren’t for the pathetic regent, Riley wouldn’t be in danger, or risking her fine tail to save others. The bastard was lucky Cyprian only shoved him.

They converged with Dagaa in the middle of the courtyard, then headed for Kagan, dodging tables and stray fire from the weaponized orbs. There was more than enough for Cyprian to concentrate on, yet his thoughts, and the occasional glance kept returning to Riley.





Chapter 17. Over the River and Through the Woods




Riley

The few remaining Toufik and Cadi guards, were making their exit toward one building or another as Riley gave a last look at the courtyard. It was now empty, besides the handful of people laying silent on the cobblestone. There was nothing anyone could do for those poor souls -not any more.

Riley cringed when one of the nasty orbs sent a series of blasts, at the far end of the clearing. She couldn’t see who was being targeted beyond the trees, but she hoped they made it safely to cover. Riley didn’t know where Cyprian had gone, while she was helping others escape. As crazy as the man made her, Riley hoped he was safe. Her stomach was in turmoil just thinking about it.

Riley ducked back amidst the planters when one of the nearly invisible spheres whipped past, searching for its next target.

“We better not press our luck,” Providence said while tugging Riley’s arm.

The two women fled into the nearby warehouse, to find the other girls, several regents, their families, and dozens of Toufik.

“What the hell are those things?” Giselle demanded as she clutched Graca to her chest, and Sabin to her side.

“It’s the cowardly way to do your dirty work,” Riley snarled. She was so sick of all the senseless bloodshed. “I saw this weapon demonstrated at the auction house. Those orbs are programmed to recognize faces.”

“That’s why they weren’t targeting us,” June said.

“I let Kagan know we are safe. He, the guys, and Ion are hunkered down in another warehouse,” Giselle reported.

“Stigand is also safe,” Riley told Sundara.

“Good,” Sundara replied in relief.

“The guys say they’re safe for now, but their building is surrounded by those things. You said the weapon recognizes faces, so, how do those things know they’re in there, if they can’t see them?” Giselle asked.

“Shit. I forgot. The orbs can also recognize sounds and smells. The damn reptiles probably changed tactics when the guys started hiding their faces.”

“I’ll tell Kagan to stay inside.” Giselle tapped on her handheld, relaying the message to the men.

“The guys can’t very well disable those things, if they can’t leave their shelter,” June declared in frustration.