The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (good e books to read .txt) 📗

“No.”

“You have your answer,” Sedom replied cryptically. “It’s kind of you to offer.”

Qilo didn't say another word the entire walk back. If Sedom didn’t want to talk, it was all the better for him. He didn’t know what to say anyway. What could one say to a girl like Sedom to help her feel better?

Both Rosanheer and Zion were sitting on a fallen tree, eating late meal when they returned. Rosanheer rose, aiming his pistol towards them.

“It's us,” Qilo called. Rosanheer lowered his pistol.

“That was fast,” Zion said, not concerned by the sudden return of his comrades.

Sedom took a seat near Zion. “Patto killed himself. He threw himself against a tree to activate an explosive pod in his chest.”

Rosanheer and Qilo settled back on the log. “Sorry to hear,” Rosanheer said. “The city is practically empty right now. If you want to go in and retrieve your friend, now would be a good time.”

This time Sedom was the skeptic. “Why would they...” She paused, watching the gates. “Let's go. I want this over with.” She stood, removing two pistols from her hip holsters. Without thought, she started towards the compound.

“Sortec!” Zion called out, grabbing his own weapon. “Here we go again. Damn half-cocked sanity. Stay close,” he ordered, waving his two associates to follow.

They met up with Sedom behind a tree, only footsteps away from the main gate. She pointed up to the guard tower where two guards stood watching the front gate. Thankfully, the guards hadn’t seen them yet.

“I’ll handle it,” Rosanheer offered. Sedom agreed.

The three watched as Rosanheer dashed between the circling spotlights of the guard tower, working his way to the base of the tower. In absolute amazement, Sedom watched as Rosanheer shimmied up the braces of the tower. Once he reached the top, he crashed through one of the side windows, taking the guards within by surprise.

Flashes of pistol fire sent Sedom racing to the tower. Zion chased after her, tackling her to the ground just as pistol fire stapled the ground near her. He grabbed her, forcing her against the compound’s fence. She started to scream out, only to find Zion’s hand over her mouth.

Moments later the firing stopped. Cautiously, Zion poked his head out to see what happened while Sedom forced his hand away.

“What the hell, Zion!” she barked low.

“You hired me to protect you. Let me do my job!” he barked.

Qilo waved from the tree outside the compound for them to follow him in. As the three approached, the gate unlocked. From above, Rosanheer waved to them from the guard tower.

“I’m impressed,” Sedom whispered to Zion.

“These men know what they’re doing. Remember that,” Zion warned.

Sedom glared at Zion. “We’ll talk later.”

Qilo motioned with a head jerk to follow him towards the main door. Two steps into their journey; they were met by weapons’ fire. Sedom spun in the direction of the fire and returned fire. “Keep going!” she ordered, holding back the assault.

Zion and Qilo continued to the door. Inside, six guards were waiting with weapons aimed at them. Both men slowly raised their hands.

Outside, Sedom pressed her ear against the door, listening to the commotion within. “Damn!” she cursed to herself.

Rosanheer jumped in by her side, his weapon ready to fire. She glanced over at him, amused to see he had switched his uniform with that of one of the guards. “Smart thinking,” she complimented within a whisper. He grinned. “Qilo and Zion have been captured,” she whispered.

“I’ll handle it,” he returned. He forced Sedom behind him. “Stay here until I tell you it’s clear,” he ordered. Usually, she would have protested, but she had an idea of what he was planning.

He entered through the door, acting as if he belonged. Once again, Sedom pressed her ear against the door, listening. Voices inside started pleasant, slowly growing enraged. Moments later the windows to either side of the door shattered outwards.

Zion opened the door, waving Sedom inside. His uniform was covered in a thick, black ash. Inside, there was a long hall filled with sixteen guards, all dead. Rosanheer sat crumbled to the ground, holding his stomach. Qilo stood above him, ready to defend his friend.

Sedom raced over to Rosanheer, kneeling down next to him. “What happened?”

“Damn fool got himself shot,” Qilo barked.

Rosanheer waved them back. “I’ll survive.” He took hold of Qilo’s hand as his friend helped him to rise from the floor. Instantly, he leaned over in pain. “Or not.”

“Let me see,” Sedom insisted, forcing Rosanheer’s hand away from his wound. The wound was deep enough to cause concern. Carefully, she pressed her hand over his wound.

Rosanheer cried out. “Enough!” he wailed.

“Just another… moment,” she said seething as the power in her hands knitted the fabric of his flesh back together. She released her hand, revealing that she had stopped the bleeding. “You’ll be okay until we can get you back to Gathow,” she returned, slightly woozy.

Rosanheer gazed down at his wound in utter amazement. “How’d you do that?” he asked Sedom. She stumbled over to Zion, holding onto his shoulder for a moment. Rosanheer turned to Qilo, pointing to Sedom. “How’d she do that?” he asked. Qilo shrugged.

“Sortec, come on,” Zion grumbled, wrapping his arm around her while she regained her strength. “I wish you wouldn’t do that in the field,” he mentioned low.

“I… didn’t have a choice,” she squeaked back.

Rosanheer nodded his thanks to Zion for helping Sedom. “Let’s get your woman,” he said.

Sedom took a step, confident that she had enough strength, but ended up landing in Zion’s arms. “What did you do without me?” he whispered harshly.

“I’m not sure,” she joked back. “I hope I never have to find out,” she added as a compliment.

FIVE

Rosanheer continued ahead,