Chapter 481
0481
“Stand down, there is nothing the Arkan will get from this!” 1 shout coldly as I hear them release something in the air just as I’m hit with something from behind. I double over as my vision blurs slightly.
The man continues to spray it around, and I don’t inhale as I decide to play along and stagger back.
I’ve trained to an inch of my life, my body is immune to a lot.
The shrill whistling stops, but I drop to my knees, looking at the ground as I hear several pairs of steps closing in on me.
“Nothing? Don’t you see? This massacre tonight will prove you are nothing but killers, just as you said!” Cassian scoffs. “Tim?”
“Now,” the Arkan leader, Tim, says. And I realise who he is, the scrawny man I had seen before. But not one on the database of Arkan Hunters… but one of the president’s men?
Politician Timon Sands.
I knew I had seen those eyes… he can try to hide… try to fucking pretend, but I have analysed them all…
He looked so fucking ordinary I never thought he could be in charge…
How smart.
“Close the door! Close the door! Quick!”
As I hear the shouts and commotion from the door before they’re slammed shut, I put two and two together.
They’re going to kill them and blame us – me.
A massacre committed by one man, proof that we are too dangerous to live amongst them…
‘Zade, are you ok?’ Valerie’s voice comes like a soft melody. I’m glad she’s fucking ok. We exchange a few words as I get to my feet, looking at the seven men who now stand around me, each one in black.
I recognise some of their eyes from their files.
The Arcan.
‘Cool. Turn the lights on and get out, Little Mate. Don’t return to the main hall, I say to Valerie through the mind-link as I grab one of the broken table legs as the men smirk, knives and guns in their hands.
By the time backup arrives, I’ll be done here.
“Your end is here,” the one who had given an order to Cassian earlier says quietly. I look at him, he doesn’t look familiar, but he’s looking at me with hatred.
“Get in line. There’s plenty who want me dead.” I smirk.
‘Take care, I love you. I’m just outside the storeroom.’
‘Alright. Love you, I answer before I take a deep breath as the first man lunges at me, ready for the kill.
“So, this is your plan? Kill all these innocent people and frame me?” I ask coldly.
“That is not true, stand down!” one of the men says.
“Shut it and follow orders,” the sergeant says. “We were ordered to assist. Follow orders.”
“But you do know your soldier is telling the truth?” I ask as I stagger back, holding off as I pretend I’m weakened, but the poison is affecting my barrier. The moment one of them tries to shoot, I take cover.
“I don’t believe that,” the sergeant says just as the lights return.
I look up at him from where I can see him from behind the table as they open fire and the bullets splinter through the wood. Fuck.
I jump aside as I raise an eyebrow. “Really, sergeant? Do you think that all these civilians are safe?”
The man seems to hesitate, and for a second he reminds me of Hugh. Maybe it’s the wisdom in his eyes, but at that moment, I know he’s thinking over my words.
“Enough! Doesn’t matter if the lights are on. No one will survive!” I hear Timon hiss.
“I agree,” Cassian snarls, “End this now!”
The men turn as they turn their guns on the group that is huddled near the door. Screams and shouts fill the room as panic breaks out.
The soldiers look between their leader and the Arkan, who they were ordered to help.
“Bring them down!” the sergeant commands as he points at Timon. Reaching for his radio when he’s suddenly shot by Cassian.
“You did your part, sergeant, now let us handle the rest,” he sneers. I watch as the soldiers form a shield around the crowd behind them. I realise Valerie was right… just like us, they’re not all the Arkan.