The northern continental alliance representative’s stone expression was as intimidating as Mia remembered. She kept her attention focused on the cowering figure knelling down in the snow at his feet. The dirty sack over the prisoner’s head concealed his face; his hands were bound behind his back. Mia knew for certain that her brother was alive. The man didn’t waste time on pleasantries.
“What is this nonsense?” He motioned at Mia’s captive. “You know as well as I do that this is not the nexus.” He pulled the sack off Jonah’s head and then drew a gun from his belt. “Don’t play games with me, girl.”
Jonah’s face was badly beaten, his skin marred with blood. His eyes widened when he looked at Mia. He tried to cry out to her, but a gag over his mouth muffled his pleas. Mia had to force herself to look away from him.
“No, this is not the nexus,” she said with false bravado, “but I assure you that we do have him.” The comment cut off his retort. Mia pushed Connor a step forward. He tried to shout out his own complaints, but the gag Rowan put over his mouth did its job. “His name is Connor and he is Dr. Olric’s son.” The man’s eyes narrowed, but Mia pressed on. “And this is the new exchange.”
Silence filled the space between them as they stared at one another. Mia rested her hand on the gun holstered at her side. A break in the silence nearly caused her to draw. The man lifted his head back and opened his mouth, releasing a booming laugh. The charade continued until he settled his eyes back on Mia.
“My name is Commander Zeke and I don’t take orders from anyone, particularly little girls that I should take back to my tent and do with as I please.”
The comment had more impact than Mia cared to show. She kept her expression cold, but her stomach churned.
“This is the new deal,” she said firmly.
Zeke’s grin faded. “Why would I accept that?”
“You underestimated us,” she said. “And your confidence has left you vulnerable.”
“Is that so?”
Mia cut him off. “We have power.”
Zeke swallowed whatever it was he was going to say and for the first time Mia felt like he was forced to take her seriously. The recognition brought with it a rush of courage.
“Your miscalculation will cost you,” she said. “I’m guessing you’ve spread your forces out all around us, but what you didn’t count on was the horde bearing down on us by the end of the day. And you surely didn’t calculate what that horde would do if Canaan was locked up tight.”
Zeke shifted his weight in the snow. Mia could nearly see him evaluating his options in his mind.
“Then there is no reason why I don’t shoot this boy right now.”
He put the barrel to the back of Jonah’s head and Mia drew her gun.
“If he dies, you die.”
Zeke smiled a terrifying smile and then gestured at the long line of his forces in the distance behind him.
“Then we all die,” he said.
Mia leveled her sights on his head. “Then we all die.”
Zeke studied her for a long time, neither of them moving a muscle. The stare off ended as he chuckled.
“I did underestimate you girl,” he said and then pulled Jonah up to his feet. “I’m going to enjoy having you all to myself.”
“In your dreams.”
Mia shoved Connor in the back, and he started across the distance between them. Jonah and Connor passed one another and the boy ran to his sister. Mia never lowered her gun not even when Zeke put his back into his holster. Jonah slumped into her, and she put an arm around him. The emotion proved too much, and the gun waved in the air out in front of her. Zeke grabbed Connor by the collar, looked him in the eyes, and then shoved him to keep him going.
“This isn’t over,” Zeke said.
Mia put her gun away and untied Jonah. She kissed his forehead and then pulled the rag from around his mouth. Mia helped him stand as she turned her back on Zeke.
“It is for today.”
They took several steps before he spoke again.
“There’s a war coming for you.”
Mia stopped and glanced at her enemy. She offered one final sentiment before continuing on her way.
“And we’ll be ready.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael W. Garza often finds himself wondering where his inspiration will come from next and in what form his imagination will bring it to life. The outcomes regularly surprise him, and it’s always his ambition to amaze those curious enough to follow him and take in those results. He hopes everyone will find something that frightens, surprises, or simply astonishes them.
The Decaying World Saga Box Set [Prequel #1-#2 & Books #1-#2] Page 94