Sepia Blue- Nameless: A Sepia Blue Novel- Book 4 by Orlando Sanchez (best self help books to read .txt) 📗

kill,” Wake said, her voice tight. “We are not humanitarians, unless you consider ushering someone into the next life a worthy cause.”

“We’re just going to observe a Hunter get killed and report that we let it happen?” Jas shot back. “Is that what we do as Sisters?”

“Yes, we follow orders, because following orders keeps you and your fellow Sisters alive.”

“That hasn’t worked out so well lately,” Jas said pointedly. “We lost almost everyone because they followed orders.”

“We stay alive,” Wake replied. “We follow orders and stay alive.”

“That policy hasn’t worked out so well for the Sisters lately,” Jas said, stepping to the edge of the roof and looking down. “Letting her die is wrong. We both know that.”

“What are you doing?” Wake asked. “Get down from there.”

“He’s killed two Hunters,” Jas said.

“Which means he’s dangerous,” Wake said. “Two Hunters who were better trained than you currently are.”

“They didn’t have what I have.”

“Stubbornness bordering on insubordination?” Wake asked. “The inability to follow a simple instruction?”

“They didn’t have us. We can stop him. I know it.”

“Not the objective here,” Wake said. “We stay back and document. That is our purpose here tonight.”

“I’m not letting another Hunter die, not while I can do something about it,” Jas said. “I’m going to help her.”

“All you’re going to do is get yourself killed,” Wake said, pointing to the roof. “Get down here before her gunman spots you.”

“You can stay up here,” Jas said, looking down to the street. “I’m not going to hide up here and watch her die. Are you?”

“Our orders are—”

Jas stepped off the roof and landed silently in the alleyway beneath her. She took a step forward, and unholstered her gun when a hand grabbed her by the shoulder, pulling her back.

It was Wake.

“What are you doing?” Jas hissed. “He’s right over there.”

“Saving your life,” Wake answered, placing a short blade in Jas’ hand. “Take this. Your gun will be useless against that cloud.”

Jas holstered her gun and reluctantly took the blade.

“I’m not that great with blades,” Jas admitted. “I prefer shooting him from a distance if possible.”

“You should’ve thought of that while we were still up there,” Wake said, pointing up. “Unless you’re a better shot than a gunman. Your gun won’t help; we’re going to need to get close.”

“Close sounds dangerous,” Jas said. “Can’t I throw the blade at him?”

Wake stared at her for a few seconds.

“This is why you need to listen to instructions. No, you can’t throw your blade. Your blade-throwing skill is negligible at best. I don’t feel like getting stabbed in the back because you missed.”

“That black cloud is everywhere,” Jas said, looking up and down the street. “How are we going to get to him?”

“We aren’t going for him,” Wake said. “We need to get to her.”

“What are you talking about?” Jas asked, confused. “He’s the threat. He’s the one we need to attack.”

“You still don’t understand,” Wake said. “If we don’t remove her from this street, she’s dead. Do you have any charges on you?”

“What kind of charges?”

“Preferably something that creates smoke. We’ll need cover.”

“I have a few smoke bombs,” Jas said, checking her small arsenal. “I didn’t pack any nukes, sorry.”

“Smoke bombs will have to do,” Wake said. “Hold on to them until I tell you.”

“Are we going to let them fight?”

“We need to wait for an opening,” Wake said, keeping her voice low as they approached the street. “That energy cloud seems to react to his responses directly, and his safety reflexively. If we can divert his attention, we may have a chance.”

“That sounds great. How do we do that?”

“We wait until it starts, then strike.”

FOURTEEN

Velos closed the distance as the nimbus wrapped itself around him.

It ebbed and flowed as if it were alive, undulating around his body as he brought Retribution forward in a thrust at Lina. She parried the attack and sliced through the black nimbus. It solidified around her sword, falling to the ground in solid pieces.

Velos stepped back, glancing at the solid pieces of nimbus, which turned to dust moments later.

“Integration,” he said, parrying an attack from Lina. “Fascinating, but futile, Hunter.”

More shots rang out, breaking the silence of the night. The cloud rose up around Velos’ head, swallowing Misha’s bullets before they could reach their target.

Wake narrowed her eyes at the reaction of the cloud and turned to Jas.

“Take out your gun.”

“I thought you said it would be useless,” Jas said, unholstering her weapon. “What gives?”

“Normally, a gun would be ineffective,” Wake said. “But we can create a window of vulnerability if we can tax the sword’s resources. It’s not sentient; its defenses depend on Velos.”

“You want me to shoot at him now?” Jas asked. “Won’t that black cloud just swallow all the bullets?”

“Precisely,” Wake said. “If we can divert it enough, we can create an opening for her gunman.”

“Are you sure this will work?”

“Of course not,” Wake said, unholstering her guns. “I am, however, open to suggestions. Do you have any?”

“Run away?” Jas answered. “I don’t think he’s noticed us yet.”

“The time for running is long past,” Wake said pointing to the opening of the alley. “I have a feeling he may be aware of our presence.”

A tendril of black energy snaked its way into the alley as Wake leapt up and catapulted off one of the walls and into the street, opening fire. Jas ran past the tendril and rolled into the street, taking aim and firing at Velos, who didn’t even turn to address the new threat.

“It would seem you have allies this evening,” Velos said as he slashed at Lina. “They chose to join you in this fight, and they will join you in your death.”

“You talk too much,” Lina said, ducking under a slash with a thrust of her own. “You must enjoy the sound of your voice—all arrogant idiots do.”

The nimbus solidified and blocked Lina’s thrust as Wake threw several of her blades at Velos before firing again.

“If you have a shot, take it,” Lina said into her coms. “This