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The coiled rope dropped from his shoulder at the same time Viktor’s other arm slipped free of the backpack
But Viktor did not retaliate
“You enjoy killing that pilot?” Malone asked “Blew him out of the sky Was that part of your mission, too?”
Viktor stayed silent
“You’re a murderer,” Malone said “You killed that pilot for no other reason than to suck us in To prove to us you were on our side Then, as soon as we get to the toain One of those flashlights searching through that fog was yours”
Anger flared in Viktor’s eyes
“Did you enjoy torturing Cassiopeia? TauntingYou pour the water yourself?”
Viktor catapulted hie Rover’s hood The street around them cleared as they rolled down to hard earth Malone freed hi to his feet, but Viktor was faster, already up, planting a kick to the stomach
The breath left him
He recovered and swung, catching Viktor in the chest with a sweeping jab He struggled with the thin air, breathing in heavy gasps, the exertion taxing his lungs, the world spinning The lack of oxygen, combined with Viktor’s blow, stunned him more than he’d expected
He caught hold of himself, focused, and advanced
Viktor stood his ground, but Malone was ready, dodging one blow, then another, raut He folloith twostone, but he did not relent An uppercut to the jaw and Viktor teetered on weak knees, then fell He waited to see if Viktor would stand, but he remained down
He sucked deep breaths Damn this altitude He turned and started back tohere Cassiopeia stood
He never sahat hit him, but it was solid and delivered square across his spine Pain doubled hi Another blow to his shoulders drove him forward, and he hit the pave two handfuls of his jacket, yanking him up
“STOP,” CASSIOPEIA YELLED
She’d watched as Viktor had grabbed a shovel propped beside one of the shop doors and blindsided a retreating Malone Then he’d followed the bloith another Now he straddled a clearly woozy Cotton, ready to slam the back of his head into the pavement
“Let hiry eyes
His breaths came quick and hard
“Let hiain, her voice lower
“I told you next time it would be different,” Viktor muttered as he released his hold and climbed off
The spectators drifted off Fight over No police were in sight She doubted this town employed any Viktor moved toward his backpack, reshouldered it, then looped his left arh the rope coil
Cotton was reaching for his spine, still on the ground
“Tang has ordered an attack on you,” Viktor said “From the Pakistanis The border is up there on the route to the ”
“You realize that he’s probably ordered that attack for you, too,” she said
“The thought occurred toup first I’d prefer that neither one of you follow, but you’re not going to listen to me, are you?”
“You’re going to need some help”
“Malone was right I risked your life too many times”
“And you also saved it”
“I’ain”
“Risking? Or saving?”
“Neither one, and since I know you won’t stay here, the trail west of town leads to a suspensio
n bridge Beyond are sos that point the way to the hall Wait an hour That should giveMaybe I can lead the to be ready to go till then anyway”
He started to leave
She grabbed his ar to do?”
“Why do you care?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
He gestured with his head toward Cotton
“Why didn’t you just tellfor Stephanie?”
“It’s not my way”
“Torturing me is?”
“Don’t think I enjoyed that I had no choice”
She saw the pain in his eyes and wanted to know, “Are you loyal to anything?”
“Myself”
But she wasn’t fooled “There’s more to you than you want anyone to know”