Page 80 of The Merciless

A scream had him snapping his head away from the scene and he breathed out in anticipation as he saw Mia get to her feet, rubbing the side of her head angrily. He could see the glimmer of metal twisted around her fingers as she flexed them forward. His gaze narrowed, his leg shifting back in a defensive position as Mia turned her head and spat on the ground.

The vulgar gesture was nothing new. But it still had his mindracingwith endless thoughts.He needed to end this quickly,he thought as he slipped his own knife into his fingers,he needed to end Martin tonight. Had to get to Ray before Miranda got to her. Before something bad happened.

“You said we didn’t have enough people.” Mia began the calm in his voice making him still, “But look at the scene now. It’s flooded with people against you. Against Walker.”

His gaze narrowed as she flexed her palms again and curled them into tight fists. Angel watched her every movement, careful not to begin it first as she took a step forward,

“Wrong this time Angel,” she said, “Maybe you’ll be wrong in the future too.”

“Half of them areours,you moron.”

The words came with a whiplash of movement. Angel saw her black hair and her blonde strands first. He almost cried out in relief when he saw her run and stand in front of him.She’s alive,he thought and sent thanks up to the universe as she saw her look over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes glinted in relief and a spark of mischief as she nudged her chin in the direction of the ruined mansion.

“Go.” Christina Morris said and turned to face Mia with raised fists and a half-hearted grin, “I’ll handle her.”

Angel didn’t wait to reconsider. Nor did he doubt her capabilities as he turned on his feet and ran in the direction of the back entrance of the place. If there was any place he would find Raylene Walker, it wouldn’t be in the shadows.

It would be in the middle of the battlefield.

18

Raylene had been a part of far too many massacres to be surprised by anything.

Which was why, seeing all her friends spread across the field with their weapons and their fists raised was nothing new either. Her eyes weren’t on the people who worked for Miranda, not when half of Martin’s men had turned and were on their sides now. No, her eyes were fixated on Miranda and Martin who were now coated in blood of the people they’d shot down. Miranda’s white shirt was covered in specks of RED, her green eyes narrowed in focus as she used her endless bullets.

They were only alive because of the men and women who had made an impenetrable circle around them.

Impenetrable because Ray hadn’t tried yet.

She looked down at her gun and was checking the bullets she had left when she felt a prickle to her light. Raylene didn’t have to look up to load her gun back again with a quickclick,raise it to the air, and shoot the person to her right. Whoever they were, fell immediately, a yell on their lips as Ray raised her gun and began walking. Her gaze narrowed in focus and,

Bang!

Her shot struck true. Miranda’s gun went flying out of her hands, a gasp and yell leaving her lips as the bullet graced her fingertips. Those green eyes flew to hers and Ray smiled back at her, raising her hand in a wave as she saw a scoff leave the woman’s lips. Miranda turned to one of her men and grabbed another gun, but Ray didn’t wait for her reaction.

Just blended with the people right in the middle and began making her way to the circle as Miranda whirled around to find nothing but a hollow spot in the middle of the battlefield.

Five.

Ray saw Cameron on her way, his own share of enemies swarming him as he fought barehand with Neera braced against his back. Ray turned towards him as one of the enemies got too close, her eyes narrowing in focus as she shot the man straight through the head. Cameron's eyes flashed and his head whirled to hers, gratitude shining silently in his expression as he turned back to the people who rounded them.

Four.

Irene had her back against Myra’s as well. Both worked together, the former using her gun while Myra shifted swiftly on her toes with a knife in her hand and a disturbing grin on her face. Ray blamed her stealth on the dancing she’d left behind years back, but it was faster than any bullets. And way more efficient.

On the other end stood the twins. Ray could only scoff as she saw Sorin and Noah stand, back-to-back as they constantly changed their weapons and found their targets.

One held a wooden plank with sharpened edges which disturbingly looked like it was ripped off a table. Ray didn't stay to ask who had done it. Or how. And Akash. That fuckingidiot,shifted around on his feet like he was on a playground. His gaze caught hers as she whizzed past him, the grin on his widening as he waved at her.They were good,Ray thought worriedly as she reached the circle,but they’d tire soon enough.

She had to end this.

Now.

Taking down the circle one by one was efficient, but took far too much time. It gave her time to think about things she didn’t want to evenconsiderand had her gut churning in worry as she spent most of her energy.Maybe she should hire a sniper,Ray thought as she brought the first man’s face down on her knee. His groan was loud but inaudible in the insanity of this place. And it left her masked.

Taking them down turned out to become easier after that.Rigorous,in a way.Repetitive.A cut at the ankles or the knees to weaken their hold when they weren’t looking and a slash to render them unconscious. Gone were the times she would kill in cold blood. Not until it was absolutely necessary.The authorities were going to have a fun time handling this,Ray thought to herself as she rounded to the last person standing. Unlike the others, the woman standing saw her coming and immediately whirled with her fist raised in the air.

Ray blinked in surprise but let her land the blow. Pain exploded in the side of her face, disorienting her for a second as she took the distraction and turned it into a chance. The woman up ahead didn’t see her coming when Ray crouched down suddenly and landed a deathly blow to her abdomen. Used the knife in her hands to rip the skin off her knees and elbows. The woman’s screams were lost in the crowd as she fell to the ground, still, some strength remaining in her as she glared up at her. Ray’s brow arched,alright then.She raised her hand and put a bullet through the woman’s arm, just in case.

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