“Someone’s been here recently,” murmured Kade.
They slid out of the kitchen and entered the next room. Kade pulled up swiftly and Honor bumped into him. His mouth fell open. “Holy shit!” The room was full of dragon remains; from bones to eggs, there were at least a hundred pieces on display.
Honor peered around Kade’s shoulder and let out a gasp. “This Councilman was a collector.”
“We think the State and those who work for them know the truth,” said Kade, as he walked past the remains. “Looks like this one enjoys collecting as much as Heath does. He will do a happy dance when he realizes what we’ve got here.”
Kade raised his weapon as he heard footsteps in the hallway and pushed Honor behind him. Heath appeared in the doorway, his expression grim.
“We found Councilman Eden,” said Heath. “He’s dead. Took a shot right between the eyes.”
“The militia killed one of their own?” Honor gave Heath a puzzled look. “Why?”
“Might have betrayed them,” said Heath. His gaze strayed around the room and his eyes widened as he took in the finds. “Fuck! What’s all this?”
“His private collection,” said Kade.
“Grab as much as you can.” Heath moved back to the door. “We’ll meet you outside in one minute, once we’ve checked the rest of the house. I’ll get an update from the others, see if they’ve seen anything of interest.”
Kade nodded as he opened the bag he’d been wearing on his back, and stuffed in as many of the bones and egg fragments as he could, Honor moving to help him.
“Why kill this guy?” asked Honor.
“Could be he betrayed them,” said Kade. “If he’d been found dead when the militia arrived, they’d have a search party here by now, looking for whoever did it.”
“You think it was because of these?” Honor lifted a handful of egg fragments.
“Collecting dragon remains is not a State-approved activity, but it’s been done before,” said Kade. “And it’s not a reason for killing him.” He zipped the bag shut and slung it over his shoulder before grabbing Honor’s hand. They ran to the back door and around the side of the house toward the Cobra.
“Just had a report in from Colton.” Lincoln strode toward them. “There’s a fire at the next councillor’s house.”
“Why is the State killing their own people?” asked Honor.
“Must have done something to piss them off,” said Lincoln.
They all jumped into the truck and headed to the next location, half a mile from the first house.
Heath slammed the Cobra to a stop, and they peered out at the burning house. The top floor was already gone, the roof collapsed, and flames licked out of every window.
“No point in even trying to go in,” said Heath. “Any evidence they had in there will have been consumed by the fire.”
“We need to get to the next house,” said Lincoln. “Maybe this councilwoman can help us figure out what the hell is going on before they kill her, too.”
“Getting the coordinates now,” said Heath. “She’s three streets away.”
They arrived at the house, and Kade’s shoulders eased when he saw the place intact and no sign of any militia vehicles.
Heath dispatched Honor and Kade around the back once more, while he entered through the front with Lincoln.
“Stay alert,” said Kade. “If the militia catch us breaking into this house they’ll kill us.”
“There’s a light on in the kitchen,” said Honor. “Someone’s moving around.”
They peered through the window and saw a slim woman of around fifty in a dark-green robe, making coffee.
Kade inhaled deeply, hoping to get a whiff. It had been months since he’d tasted the real stuff, and just seeing this woman grinding beans and filtering it through a machine had him drooling.
“That’s Councilwoman Wallace,” whispered Kade, recognizing her image from the information Colton sent through. He watched as the woman lifted her head. She must have heard Heath and Lincoln. She placed her mug on the counter and walked toward the kitchen door.
Kade gestured for Honor to follow him as he entered the kitchen.
Councilwoman Wallace turned and her eyes widened as she saw Kade and Honor.
Kade raised a hand while keeping his gun level. “We’re not here to hurt you. But your life is at risk.”
“If you’re not here to hurt me, then why are you pointing a gun at my head?” Councilwoman Wallace’s voice was high and panicky.
“We’re looking for a friend,” said Honor. “The State have her, but we think the militia are coming for you, as well.”
Councilwoman Wallace took a step back and her hand fluttered to her chest. “Why do you think that?”
“Because two other councillors in this area are dead,” said Kade. “And we believe you’re next.”
Councilwoman Wallace let out a shaky breath and leaned against the wall. “They got Greg and Peter.”
“Why do they want you dead?” asked Honor.
Before Councilwoman Wallace could answer, the kitchen window shattered, and a pulse of laser slammed into the wall she stood against.
Kade pushed Honor behind the safety of the kitchen island before grabbing Councilwoman Wallace and pulling her to the ground. “What do they want with you?”
“I’m not telling you anything,” said Councilwoman Wallace. “How do I know they haven’t sent you in here to do the job for them?”
“Why would I be protecting you if I wanted you dead?”
“We want to help you,” said Honor. “But we need to know what’s going on.”
Another blast of laser slammed through the glass, sending a shower of sharp splinters through the air.
“We have little time,” said Kade. “We can get you out of here. Take you somewhere safe where the State won’t find you.”
Councilwoman Wallace shook her head, her blonde hair sticking to her forehead. “It’s too late for that. If they know what we’re doing, then we’ve already failed.”
Heath appeared in the doorway and took in the devastation in the kitchen.
Councilwoman Wallace let out a squeak of alarm as she saw him and tried to scrabble away on her hands and knees.
Honor grabbed her arm. “He’s fine. Heath’s with us.”
“Do you have a safe room?” Heath asked Councilwoman Wallace.
She eyed him cautiously. “Yes. The basement.”
“Let’s go,” said Heath. “There are six soldiers trying to get inside.”
They waited until the next laser blast had shot through the kitchen, before racing into the hallway, Councilwoman Wallace leading the way.
“I still have no idea who all of you are,” she said, as her shaking fingers keyed in the access code to get into the basement safe room.
“All you need to know is we’re helping you stay alive,” said Kade.
“You don’t work for the State?”
“Never have, never will,” said Lincoln.
The front door slammed open, and four militia charged through, dressed in black and carrying pulse laser guns.
“We need the basement open,” said Heath, shielding Councilwoman Wallace with his body.
“I’m trying,” said Councilwoman Wallace. “I’ve forgotten the combination. Never needed this room before.”
“Get down!” yelled Lincoln, as the militia opened fire.
“We’ll distract them, you keep the Councilwoman safe,” said Heath, as he and Lincoln raced along the hallway and out of sight.
Kade grabbed Councilwoman Wallace and ran with Honor into the nearest room, slamming the door behind them.
“We need to get to the Cobra,” said Kade, his gaze resting on Councilwoman Wallace. “The militia want you dead and we still don’t know why. You’re going to get us killed.”
“Don’t leave me behind,” said Councilwoman Wallace, her breath rasping out of her as her panicked gaze shot around the room.
“We won’t,” s
aid Honor. She ran to the window and tried to open it, but it stuck.
Kade placed a finger against his lips and strained to hear any movement. “Let’s wait it out a second.”
“They must be chasing Heath and Lincoln,” whispered Honor, as no one came through the door.
Kade nodded before sliding the door open an inch and looking into the hallway. “The way’s clear.” He led them out, making sure Councilwoman Wallace was in between him and Honor so she wouldn’t do anything stupid like try to escape. Or worse, alert the militia as to where they were.
They’d reached the front door, when a blast of pulse laser slammed into the door jamb.
Kade spun around and fired back before flinging the door open and shoving Councilwoman Wallace outside. “Watch her!”
Honor grabbed the woman’s hand. “Come with me.”
Councilwoman Wallace froze, her body shaking as she stared at the approaching militia.
“Keep it together,” growled Kade, as he used cover fire to keep them safe. “Go with Honor.”
Councilwoman Wallace blinked at him and then nodded, before following Honor, clutching her robe closed with one hand as she did so.
“Wait!” whispered Kade to Honor as they got near the camouflaged Cobra. “We can’t let them see where the truck’s hidden.”
“We can’t stay hidden in the shadows,” said Honor. “They’ll find us.”
“I’ll cause a distraction,” said Kade, as he passed her the fob to disengage the Cobra’s camouflage. “You get to the truck and wait inside until I get back.”
Honor stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Don’t go doing anything heroic.”
HONOR HAD SEEN THE surprise on Kade’s face when she’d kissed him. She still wasn’t sure why she’d done it. Maybe being surrounded by death made her braver, made her take the things she desired most.
She grabbed hold of Councilwoman Wallace’s elbow and guided her to the camouflaged truck. Her attention didn’t leave Kade as he moved in the opposite direction, making as much noise as possible, firing shots at the house.
Honor gritted her teeth. By keeping her out of danger, he put himself at risk. But the risk was working, and the militia barreled out the doorway and fired in his direction, missing Honor and Councilwoman Wallace.
They reached the truck, and she shut off the camouflage, before pulling open the back door. “Get in!”
Councilwoman Wallace hesitated, so Honor hopped inside and held her hand out. “Hurry! It’s safer in here.”
The Councilwoman looked back at the house. Her hand flew to her mouth, and Honor turned to see two more militia come out of the doorway, their weapons aimed straight at the Councilwoman.
“Hurry! Get in.”
Pulse laser fire lit up the darkness, and Honor saw Kade racing back toward them. The soldiers dropped to the ground, but horror flooded through Honor, as one rolled onto his stomach and fired at Councilwoman Wallace, knocking her from her feet.
Honor leapt out of the truck, scooped Councilwoman Wallace under the arms, and tried to hoist her onto the back of the Cobra, but she was unconscious and too heavy.
Ducking as more pulse laser fire shot over her head, Honor cursed as she realized her gun was in the Cobra. She dragged Councilwoman Wallace around the side to give them protection from the approaching militia. Her pulse raced and her mouth was dry. The soldiers would come for them and she had nothing to defend herself with.
Kade raced around the back of the truck and shot twice around the side before yanking Councilwoman Wallace off her feet and throwing her into the Cobra.
“Get in!” He scooped Honor up and threw her inside as well, before she’d even taken a step.
Honor’s blood drummed through her veins as she hit the camouflage button on the Cobra, concealing them from the militia.
“Were you hit?” Kade’s hands ran over Honor’s body.
She shuddered under his touch. “No. You?”
“No problems.” He looked down at the unconscious councillor. “She wasn’t so lucky.”
Honor knelt and felt her pulse. “She’s still alive.”
Kade accessed the group’s comms link. “Heath. We’ve had to retreat to the Cobra. We’ve got the Councilwoman with us.”
“I hear you.” Heath paused as the sound of laser fire and breaking glass shot down the comms link. “Be with you soon. Just shaking off a couple of problems.”
Honor grabbed the medical kit from the bench and passed it to Kade. She’d seen him patch up colleagues before, and he knew his way around a laser injury. “She got hit in the shoulder.”
“Let me see.” Kade flipped open the lid of the medical kit.
Councilwoman Wallace groaned and her eyes flickered open. “Is this hell?”
“Close enough,” muttered Kade.
She licked her lips. “Thanks for getting me out.”
“Anytime.” Kade pulled down her bloody robe and inspected the laser wound.
“It’s Vivian.”
“What’s that?”
“Since you’re removing my clothes, it’s only right you know my first name.”
Honor smiled and touched her arm. “Nice to meet you, Vivian. And, I promise, Kade is a gentleman.”
Vivian’s gaze shot to Honor. “It’s safe here?”
“Better than being trapped in a house with the militia after you,” said Honor.
Vivian let out a shaky breath and winced as Kade dressed her wound. “What just happened?”
“That’s what we’d like to know,” said Kade. “Why are they trying to kill you?”
“I... well, I’m not certain.”
“Two of your colleagues are dead,” said Honor. “There must be a reason they want you gone.”
“There is,” said Vivian, after a long pause. “How’s my injury?”
“It’s deep, but hasn’t cut through anything vital,” said Kade. “You’ll live, providing you get proper medical treatment within the next twenty-four hours.”
Vivian wiped a hand across her pale, sweaty face. Her gaze shifted to the wound, and she shook her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Who are you?”
“We’re people wanting to help. But we need to know what’s happening.” Honor took hold of her hand. “What’s got you on the wrong side of the State?”
“The dragons.” Vivian’s voice came out strained. “I was working with Greg and Peter, the two dead councillors, to set up an investigation regarding dragon finds.”
“What about them?” asked Honor.
“We’ve had doubts about the way the State are running things,” said Vivian, as she eased into a seated position. “We wanted to bring in independent investigators to see about the possibility of bringing dragons back.”
Kade’s eyebrows shot up and he sat back on his heels. “You’re kidding. The State will never allow that.”
“We were convinced they would, when they realized the opportunities presented to us to work with the dragons,” said Vivian. “I’m sure you won’t remember, but dragons were once our allies.”
“We remember,” muttered Kade. “Not all of us have been brainwashed by the State.”
Vivian stared at Kade. “You remember when the State took power?”
“We both do,” said Honor.
“And we remember they killed the dragons,” said Kade. “The ruling monarchy used to work with dragons. Then the State came to power and everything went to shit.”
“That’s an accurate way of describing it,” said Vivian. “And, at first, I was all for the State. They talked about peace and prosperity. But not everyone within the State favors what they’re doing.”
“You must like the credits,” said Kade. “That house of yours won’t be cheap.”
“A perk of the job,” said Vivian. “And it’s ridiculous. I live on my own. I’m not married and have no children. That house has ten bedrooms. My cleaner spends more time in them than I do.”
“So you annoyed someone
by asking for this investigation?” asked Honor.
“Must have. The State keeps us sheltered from the realities of our new rulers and what they stand for when it comes to most people. But some of us became curious, and the credits and the privileges weren’t enough to keep us silent.”
“Hostiles coming your way,” said Heath over the comms link. “Are you still in the truck?”
“We are,” said Kade. “How many?”
“Get out of there!” yelled Heath.
“What’s going on?” Honor saw panic flare in Kade’s eyes.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed Honor’s arm. They made it to the back of the truck when it exploded beneath their feet.
Honor screamed as a bright-orange flash dazzled her, and she lost her grip on Kade as the truck tipped over.
“Kade!” Honor rolled with the truck, slamming into Vivian as they flipped over.
A second blast hit the Cobra, and Honor’s head smashed into something hard and she blacked out.
Chapter 19
Kade’s breath punched out of him as he hit the ground. He rolled away from the blast, shards of hot metal slamming down around him as he shielded his head.
His eyes shot around the flaming garden of the house, his frantic gaze searching for Honor. She’d been right next to him when they got hit.
He swiped a hand across his face and it came away bloody. “Honor.” Kade tapped the comms link on his wrist and adjusted his earpiece. He tried again, but got no response.
“Heath.” There was no sound. “Fuck. Where is everybody? Arlo, Lincoln? Any of you there?” He kept his voice low, as he forced breath back into his lungs and continued hunting for Honor. She must have been blown free from the vehicle. From the strength of the blast, the militia must have used a rocket launcher. It took a lot to blow up their armored trucks.
Blood ran into Kade’s eyes, making them sting. He staggered toward the house, intent on finding Honor. She’d be fine, he just needed to get to her and make sure she wasn’t hurt.
He stumbled over something and hit the ground. Rolling onto his knees, he discovered the body of Vivian Wallace, her sightless eyes staring into the dark sky and one hand clutching a necklace. Her chest leaked blood, and her neck was twisted at an unnatural angle.
Kade (sci-fi romance - The Ember Quest Book 2) Page 17