Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 132491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“Why are the vines only responding to me?”
“It’s too much to explain right now. We have to go. You take the lead.”
Aromium allows me to race through the jungle faster than I could move without it. I’m dodging obstacles before my mind fully registers them. Marcus is right behind me, reminding me when I need to change course.
It’s not great timing for a new boatload of prisoners. But I suppose it’s not great timing for the Tiders, either.
“Do you talk to people or just take them by force?” I call over my shoulder.
“Some people try talking, but I don’t.”
A smile tugs at my lips because that tracks. Marcus can be a bull in a china shop.
When the beach comes into view, I slow to a stop. Finding a safe vantage point, we scan the area and find the Tiders gathered on their end of the beach. Not everyone from our camp is here. Most of the command and security people are, and several other adults who can hold their own in a fight.
The boat is almost here. I can make out people on the deck shielding their eyes from the sun to see the beach better. I know the terror they must be feeling, being forced to swim toward danger.
I creep closer to our group, calling out to them so they know it’s us.
Relief flashes over Nova’s face when she sees us. She’s wearing a fitted, sleeveless black shirt and sand-colored canvas pants, the lines on her scalp freshly shaven. With her defined arm muscles and a stun stick in her hand, she looks like a warrior going into battle.
Ellison isn’t here. That makes sense, since her skill set is so valuable to the camp.
“Lean into your aromium,” Marcus says softly, his hardened gaze locked onto Virginia, who’s just a small figure at the other end of the beach from this distance. “But control your emotions.”
That’s easier said than done with some of the people here. If I get a shot at Virginia or Marcelle, I’m taking it, mission be damned.
It’s more complicated with Pax. He’s complicit in Virginia’s scheming to keep everyone at Rising Tide in the dark about aromium and he cut out Olin’s tongue, which I can’t forgive. But I don’t think he’s all bad.
The first boat passenger jumps into the water. Marcus stalks to the front of the group and I follow. Amira comes to my side, an arrow nocked and ready.
“Be careful,” I say under my breath.
“You too.”
Marcus is the first to move. He bursts toward the first couple of prisoners, a man and a woman. He scoops them both up with an arm around their waists and rushes them back to us.
Arrows fly from Tiders who are moving toward us, but Marcus is so fast he’s out of range before they land.
Adele and Stella each take one of the prisoners from Marcus. I run toward the water, hearing boots kicking up wet sand behind me.
Pax is throwing someone over his shoulder when our eyes meet. Knife in hand, I head straight for him.
“Fight him off!” I yell to his captive. “I’ll help you!”
The man thrashes, kicking his feet at Pax. But he can’t get any momentum. I grab his shirt and pull, Pax growling as he tries to keep his hold.
“What the hell are you doing?” he bellows. “You’ve made a mistake switching sides.”
When I grab the man’s midsection and pull, he falls to the ground. Pax swipes his knife at me, narrowly missing when I jump back. The man gets to his feet and runs away.
“You lied about aromium,” I snap at Pax. “You’re just Virginia’s toy.”
His eyes narrow with anger. “We tell people when they’re ready.”
I balk. “You mean when it’s irreversible? You disgust me.”
I’m about to engage him in a fight when someone barrels into my shoulder, knocking me to the ground. I’m breathless, and I can’t see because there’s sand in my eyes.
“Shit!” I rub my eyes, not knowing what else to do, but it doesn’t help.
I know what Marcus said about keeping my emotions in check, but it’s hard when I’m this vulnerable.
“Get away from her.” It’s Amira, her voice deadly calm. “Briar, my foot is right by you. Grab it and get behind me.”
I blink rapidly as I feel for her foot, the vision in my right eye clear. I find it and crawl behind her.
“My knife. It flew out of my hand.”
“I see it. I can’t get it right now, though.”
“Hey, Olin,” someone says from nearby. “Take him.”
It’s Pax. I gasp, my left eye watering in an effort to rid it of sand.
“Olin! Amira, we have to get Olin.”
There’s a pause. “I don’t know who that is.” She fires an arrow, immediately grabbing another one. “Who is he?”
I get to my feet. “He has a baby face and wild red hair. He’s my friend.”