“I'm not paranoid. I heard the radio call. I'm really sorry, sir. I'm sorry for pointing a gun at you, but this is protocol. I need you both on your knees, with your hands up. We'll get this sorted.”
“That's fine.” Zayne stood ten feet away from Kira now, and a little closer to Graves if she wasn't mistaken. “I'll cover for you with my father. He's not going to like this, and I don't want you looking bad after the Bluehaven report.”
“That's… I know how I looked. I know I panicked. I'm not panicking this time.” He breathed harder than a minute ago. “Is this a test? Is that what's happening? You all want to know if I can stay level-headed and stick to protocol?”
“No.” Zayne sounded cold as ice again. “I'm carrying out an important mission for the Phaedra, and you're interfering.”
The light was shaking. Graves' words came faster. “Just give me a minute to think. I was told the intruder is armed and dangerous. Shit. Shit!”
Kira gripped the capsule. That soldier was definitely panicking, and his gun still pointed at Zayne's heart. They needed to do something now.
Who warned him on the radio, and why didn't other soldiers rush them?
A sick feeling twisted her stomach. If Kira scared him, the chances were too high that he'd fire on Zayne.
She needed to do something, but right now, staying calm and quiet was the safest option.
Fear built inside of her until she almost screamed Zayne's name.
CHAPTER 65
Zayne
The Capital
Kallum, Ciondo
833 P.C. [Post-Collapse]
Graves was panicking and wouldn't let them go.
Those two facts cut to the center of Zayne, because both made his private an unacceptable threat to Kira and her freedom.
And that was all that mattered.
She was his war.
His sole priority right now.
But something much worse than a jumpy soldier stalked them in these woods. Wind stirred the trees and bugs chirped, the quiet heartbeat of the secluded woods hugging the north end of the base. They should be alone out here, but Graves spotted them, like he'd known where to look. Or like someone knew where to place him.
“Something is very wrong.” The private's voice boomed.
He was right. Something was very, very wrong. Who placed one of the survivors from Zayne's squad in his path? Who knew how to toywith him like this? The Phaedra figured out their plan and instead of simply capturing him, played another game.
Nothing else made sense.
Reinard was supposed to be in control of all communication in this zone, but no one responded to the code Zayne sent through his watch when he saw the flashlight.
Worse, Graves was not scheduled for this patrol, and he shouldn't be able to hear anything on the radio.
“You're trembling and could discharge your weapon,” Zayne said. “Lower your gun.”
“When we were leaving Bluehaven… You kicked a bottle of water close enough for a wounded United soldier to grab.” His voice hitched. “They'd just killed all our people, but you gave one of them water. I saw you.”
What? Zayne didn't even remember that. Was the most important mission of his life really going to fall apart because of a passing mercy he showed to a dying soldier? “I don't know what you're talking about. Stop aiming at me, Graves.”
“You're a better shot than me. Faster. If I lower my gun, y-you could shoot me.”
