Page 49 (2/2)
With the partner distracted, I slapped his fist tothe pressure I scraped my heel down his shin and stabbed the tip into his foot With a yelp, he released ainst his windpipe
It happened so fast his friend didn't see it He spoke into his radio, his back to rabbed the blade frole As he fell, I grabbed his gun froei
"You won't be allowed to live" His words the confidence of a man determined to deliver the deathblow "You'd already be dead if Director Castor didn't want the pleasure for himself"
I put the gun to his head Pulled the trigger His body jerked Wetness splashed my face I dropped his body and hauled ass toward the steps
It happened as if in slow motion I ran toward the door, my hand rose to pound The roar and vibration of the Troika's arriving craft shook the building The panel in front of me flew open A fe for ht Fire exploded in my left shoulder I fell in slow motion, the world a blur of pain--fell across the threshold and into the acolyte's arms Blood filled my vision
Red means life
Two
Whispers woke me I peeled open one eye Two females watched me from the doorway I didn't move so as not to alert them to my newly conscious state Not until I had a chance to take stock
Drab-colored clothes were folded in a neat pile on the chair by the door The stained and ripped green silk dress I'd been wearing hung froh heels lay beneath them on the floor like two drunks Across froe of soion to which the Order of the Sisters of Crier I'd stolen off the guard when I'd made my escape When I'd arrived it was bloody, but now it shone like pristine, polished silver
A thin, coarse blanket abraded my naked skin The realization that I was totally at the mercy of these bloodthirsty holy woain
They call me Meridian Six
"She is awake" The voice was feminine with an undercurrent of steel
I used to be a tool for the Troika But now I am their prey
Turning my head, I focused on the pair by the door The acolyte who'd helped me inside earlier stood next to a statuesque woman in crimson and black robes All Sisters of Crimson wore red robes, but only those who'd achieved exalted status wore the sacred black as well
Chatelainesmart not to leave an acolyte alone with me Not after the way I arrived