Page 65 of The Merciless

“This was a dumb idea.”

Ray blinked at the other voices, something like relief flooding through her veins when she saw Noah, Luke and Myra walk through the clearing.

Luke, who’d been the one to say the words, looked all around the space until he spotted Jack and Christina. The relief that rushed into his gaze wasnothingcompared to the way her world threatened to tilt when she saw Akash and Irene stride in as well.

“Of course, we had to meet in a fucking graveyard.” Akash was murmuring as he wiped the dust off his shirt and darted his gaze around. Ray breathed out and shook in her spot until his dark eyes found hers.

The panic in them calmed immediately and without really waiting for any other reaction, both Akash and Raylene crossed the clearing and collided with one another. Ray was aware of Irene and Myra hugging behind her back as Akash enveloped her in his arms and placed his forehead on the top of her head.

“You alright?” he asked, his voice shaking with the same fear she’d felt when their communication had been cut off. Ray shivered in his arms now, a new fear thudding through her blood as she shook her head,

“Something’s wrong.”

She murmured and pulled back. Akash gazed down at her in a slight frenzy, his eyes darting around in search of any injuries, but Ray shook her head, her gaze betraying her as she looked past him in search of Angel.

Who didn’t appear.

“Angel was supposed to come find me after he was done checking the property with Mia,” Ray said, breathing out harshly as she took a step back, “He didn’t come though. And I couldn’t leave Ira alone, nor could Itakeherwithme–”

“Ray.” Akash’s voice cut through calmly and she looked back at him. A rock, that’s who he was. A rock that steadied her for a single moment. Long enough for her to fish out a plan. Ray turned on her heels to face the rest of them,

“Ciera confessed she worked for Martin.” She began and saw Neera sign the words to Cameron. Ray shot him an apologetic look and began signing the words as she spoke, her hands shaking slightly,

“I received a message from her when I reached the site with Angel and Mia. A video showing that she was holding someone I knew hostage. I didn’t know about Ira and Micah being there when I left.” She paused, turning to Luke, Jack, and Christina now, “I gave Angel the address and asked him to come there when they were done looking at the facility. He,” her breath caught, “He didn’t come.”

Ray’s shoulders tensed further, her brows furrowing, “Ciera also told me that Martin is working with someone else. But we already knew this.” She paused, contemplating whether she could tell them yet or not. Christina caught her hesitation and took a step forward,

“You know something,” she began, almost angrily, “Bothyou and Angel, youknowsomething.”

Yes. And somehow, it was all working perfectly.

Ray shook her head and opened her mouth to continue when she saw Luke’s eyes dart past her as if he were looking behind her. She paused when she saw him go still, the color draining from his face. She heard it then, the slight panting, the rustling of the cloth against the skin, and the rushed breathing.Maybe,she prayed as hope rose in her chest,maybe he’d made it.

“Mia,” Christina breathed, and Ray turned on her heels, her eyes widening as she spotted the redhead limp through the clearing, a hand braced against her bloodied abdomen,“Mia!”

Ray moved with habit, Christina at her side as they both neared the girl and caught her before she could stumble and fall to the ground. Mia let loose a guttural sound as Ray caught at her waist and pulled her weight as gently as she could. Christina followed her example, her expression contorted into worry and pain as she swept Mia’s red hair away from her face, revealing bruised and scratched skin. She gasped at their sight as they carefully pulled her forward.

“Angel,”Mia rasped, and Ray froze on the spot, her heart stalling for an entire second.God fucking damn it.

“What are youdoing?”Christina hissed in her direction and pulled Mia up as she fell limp in their arms. Ray grunted and picked her up the waist again but didn’t respond.

“They took him,” Mia sobbed, and Ray could swear the wind howled above her head. Blood rushed into her ears, a dullroaras they neared the bench. Neera got up immediately, leaving space for a gasping Mia.

Ray placed her on the bench as gently as she could and immediately knelt as Christina braced a hand on her shoulder,

“What do you mean?” her voice a whisper, “Who took him?”

Ray didn’t say a word. Just grabbed the first aid box and lifted the hem of Mia’s bloody t-shirt. She was aware of her brown eyes fixed on the top of her head as she spoke,

“After Ray left and we entered the warehouse together, it was like walking into a straight trap. As soon as we stepped in, there was smoke and thesepeoplewho jumped us from nowhere.”

Mia hissed as Ray took a cotton swab and cleaned her wound. It looked like a slash wound, from a clean-cut knife. Not too dangerous, but deep enough to draw out a large amount of blood. Ray didn’t look up at Mia as she continued,

“I think,” she said, half-sob as Ray touched sensitive skin, “I think they worked for Martin. And they left me there to die while they took Angel with them.”

Ray breathed out finally and turned to her right to see Sorin standing right beside her. His dark eyes widened when she beckoned him to stitch her up. Mia might’ve continued speaking, but Ray was already getting up, the rush of waves in her ears drowning out her voice as she thought of a way out. Thought of ways to get him back and…

She placed her bloody hands on her waist as she lost herself in thought, staring at the ground as she tapped her feet.

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