Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

slaughter. It’s one thing to die fighting, to die for love, but to die like that … I … can’t.” His scowl broke, the corners of his mouth quivering.

He’s scared, Nyssa, something whispered to her. Just a scared kid. Give him some grace.

She forced herself to her feet. “Considering past dealings with Blythe, I doubt giving him what he wants will ensure Ellis’s safety.” Her voice came out hoarse, but stronger than she’d expected. “No, we need to do something he isn’t expecting, that allows us to get Ellis away from him … we need a plan.”

Chapter Thirteen

Nyssa checked her gear one more time. Ellis had given Renard her satchel before Amara and Renard fled. Nyssa stroked the familiar leather of the bag. It had gotten her through some rough times. However, she needed to be light on her feet now, taking only the most necessary items. She dug through the air-raft’s emergency kit and brought out a flare gun. It fit nicely at the small of her back, covered by her peacoat. She stuck Renard’s revolver into her belt beside it.

Renard stood at the helm, still avoiding eye-contact. She couldn’t blame him. After all, she had chewed him out, then slapped him, something he’d borne with surprising patience.

Amara hovered over Nyssa. “This stratagem seems unnecessarily complex.”

Nyssa grunted. “Do you have a better idea?”

Amara sighed and wrung her hands. “I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“You two need to stay close enough to pick us up at my signal and far enough away to avoid any traps Blythe might have set. I don’t believe he intends to let any of us escape.” Nyssa drew a piece of paper from her pocket. She’d sketched outThe Juliet after Blythe’s second call, detailing the arrangements for the exchange. “Renard will pilot us to here.” She tapped the large doors for the passenger loading ramp. “After I’m on-board, you stay off the port side, but low, out of sight, until you hear the shot, all right? When I have Ellis safe, you can bring the air-raft alongside, and we’ll board.”

He shrugged. “This is the fourth time we’ve been over this. I know what to do.”

Yes, but if things go wrong, you get to sail off into the sunset with your lady love, and Ellis and I will pay the price. She bit her bottom lip. It would be nice to send Renard in her place, but she couldn’t trust him with this. She needed to personally ensure Ellis’s safety.

“I seeThe Juliet!” Amara pointed. The clouds parted, revealing the massive vessel hovering over a swath of clear blue sea.

Nyssa swallowed. “Do you think the passengers have unloaded already?” She didn’t know if she could go through with this if there were innocent lives on board, Ellis or no Ellis.

“Uncle Cyril swore he’d have the ship to himself. He’s not the sort of person who risks leaving witnesses.” Amara nodded. “My guess is it will just be him and Barabbas.”

Nyssa tried to take comfort in this, but a rock settled in her stomach.

The Mercutiohummed through the sky. Figures moved about the stern deck, too small to make out details.

“They’ve most likely seen us. We need to be quick.”

They zipped towardsThe Juliet. The wind tore at Nyssa’s hair. She pushed the stray locks beneath the band of her goggles. The x-ray setting might give her warning if any other people remained on board … or if Blythe had any lurking traps.

The passenger doors were near the middle of the gondola, not far from the deck where Blythe lay in wait.The Mercutio’sfabric balloon bounced against the side ofThe Juliet.

“Hold her steady.” Nyssa took out a crowbar. With all her might, she leveraged the doors open.

“Good luck!” Amara called as Nyssa vaulted into the gondola.

I need more than luck. Oh God, get me and Ellis out of this one, please.

She started down the carpeted aisles of the zeppelin, scanning through the walls with her x-ray vision. The only sound was the gentle hum of the great propellers and the hiss of the air-circulation system. She drew the revolver and held it in a shaking hand.

How much did Blythe have to pay the crew to get them to leave the ship in his hands? And all so he can take revenge on Renard. Yeah, Renard’s an idiot, but Blythe’s a piece of work.

Making her way through the crew area, she reached the hall where she’d hidden from Renard only the day before. The door at the end lay open.

She checked to be sure the flare gun was still nestled in her waistband, then started forward.

Blythe stood between her and the open space whereThe Mercutiohad previously been moored. Beside him loomed Barabbas, holding a short-barreled pistol, one hand on the back of Ellis’s wheelchair. Nyssa stepped onto the deck. She aimed the revolver at Barabbas.

Sparks and shocks, I don’t think I could hit either of them unless they were inches in front of me. Why didn’t I learn to shoot?

Blythe’s expression hardened. “Where is Renard?”

“Nearby.” Nyssa kept her eyes on Blythe, though she longed to run to Ellis’s arms.

Barabbas smirked. “That’s an awful big gun for such a pretty little thing. Think you can get off a shot before I splatter this one’s brains?” He pointed his pistol at Ellis. Nyssa’s heart pounded painfully.

Ellis stared at her, his dark eyes worried but his face placid. Nyssa gave him a quick smile she hoped was reassuring before scowling at Blythe again. “With your history of going back on agreements, we felt it inadvisable to hand you what you want without some leverage of our own.” She skirted the deck, keeping her face towards Blythe and her back against the handrail. Finally she was positioned between Blythe andThe Mercutio’s launch-point.

“You aren’t in a position to bargain, Miss Glass.” Blythe nodded towards Ellis. “Tell me why I shouldn’t have Barabbas shoot your friend then you, here and now?”

Nyssa whipped out the flare gun and pointed it towards the