Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(87)

Riley blinked, trying to shake off the stupor, as a siren began to blare. Chaos ensued all around. She pulled herself off the debris riddled floor, in time to avoid the guards rushing toward the smoke and rubble. Riley wiped the dust from her eyes, and stared at the horror she’d caused.

A bloodied guard lay unmoving beneath a section of the collapsed wall. Another Verrater stumbled through the debris, then slumped to the floor. Riley looked to where Cuttles’ office had been. It was unrecognizable.

Reality stabbed deep, severing the grip Riley had on sanity. She’d struggled for so long, desperately holding onto a piece of herself, when everything around her was falling apart. But now, as she stared at the rubble, it seemed so pointless.

Riley didn’t hear the shouts and screams, or a second distant explosion, over the ringing in her ears. Nor did she care. Riley didn’t heed the momentary darkness, or notice the scuffle in the hall behind her, as she stood mute. And she didn’t put up a fight, when bony arms scooped her up, then started running through the melee.

“I’m sorry about your friends, but we must leave.” Aculus’ voice sounded so far away.





Chapter 13. Catch Me if You Can




Cyprian de Praefectus

The sight of Riley at the other end of the hall was a shock.

Thank the goddess she escaped Mave. Relief instantly flooded Cyprian, then he noticed the look of horror on her face, as he entered the office. Riley planted the explosives already.

“We need to get out of here. Is there a back exit?” Cyprian bellowed.

The Overseer had to have another way out of his study.

“What are you talking about? Guards,” the Overseer yelled.

“I’m saving your worthless hide. So, if you don’t want to die, we need to go.”

The Overseer stared at Cyprian in confusion and shock. The general swiftly took hold of the Topus.

“We don’t have time for this,” he barked at the stunned Overseer.

“Uh, yes.” The Overseer pointed in confusion to a curtain on the rear wall.

“Come on.”

Cyprian tugged his companions, forcing them to run to the hidden door. He had to drag the slow-moving Overseer across the floor.

“Grab that,” Cyprian yelled, spotting his confiscated bandolier on a side table.

Vintor scooped up the bag and clutch of weapons, as he hustled toward the hidden door. Cyprian grabbed the Overseer’s tentacle and slammed the wristband against the sensor. He threw the door open, and was met by an empty hall. Cyprian pulled the Overseer closer as he ran.

“Move it soldier,” Cyprian yelled at Vintor.

The blast at their backs propelled the trio down the hall. Cyprian tugged Vintor and the Overseer to the floor as debris rained all around them. He grimaced in pain when a hunk of rock slammed into his shoulder, as another struck his thigh.

Cyprian stood the instant the barrage of debris ceased. Vintor struggled to his feet beside him. The male looked dreadful. Blood, mixed with dust, covered him from head to tail.

“I’ll survive,” Vintor groaned, seeing Cyprian’s assessing stare. “You look about like I do.”

Cyprian glanced at the blood covering his arm and leg. None of it concerned him.

“I need to find Riley. She was in the other hall. She was too close to that blast.”

Cyprian heard distant thunder. A tremor moved through the floor, as the asteroid’s power generators blew. The corridor was suddenly cast into darkness. Emergency lights flickered to life a moment later.

That Little Manx did it. She planted both devices.

Cyprian wanted to be angry that Riley had put herself in danger, but couldn’t. He should’ve known the willful female would act on her plan, once he was taken away. Riley sacrificed herself over and over for those around her. It filled him with immense pride and crushing worry at the same time.

I’m going to redden her tail.

“We must evacuate,” the Overseer choked from where he lay sprawled on the floor.

Green blood covered the tentacled male. Two of his snaking appendages were crushed beneath debris. The Overseer attempted to get up, but slumped back to the floor.

“You will help me find Riley. I need to get to the other hall,” Cyprian told the Overseer as he helped the male up.

Cyprian looked to where the office had been. The ceiling was caved in, making it impossible to get through that way.

“How did you know?”

“You have enemies who talk. We will be leaving with Riley. That is not a request. Either you help me find her, or I finish the job someone else failed at,” Cyprian snarled viciously as he shook the bloody male.

“No. Please. You have your freedom, and you may take the human. She is yours.”

“You are right. She’s mine,” Cyprian roared.