Page 76 of The Ghost of Rage's War

Artemis picked up her radio.

“Zone eight calling in. We have a slight problem; civilians were attempting to move barricades and clear a path. Inform Howser the public refuse to shelter despite being made aware of the threat. The team has removed all under sixteens and ensured their safety. I’m aware of approaching danger, and my team is in place,” Artemis called in.

“Buzz confirming as your liaison. Chief Howser is aware of the situation. Stick to the plan, and don’t digress. If they won’t move, then they risk their own lives,” Buzz replied. “Howser says you do not have time to arrest them.”

“Confirmed, Buzz,” Artemis said and began jogging away.

The Juno Group wasn’t interested in a full-scale battle. They had decided to protect their city another way. The busses and cars had been scattered to give them cover. They were going to take these fuckers out, come hell or high water. They’d created a mazefor the Fangs to work around.

As she hid behind the rear of a bus, Artemis noticed some of the group had leapt in vehicles and drove back into the city.

But around twenty-five civilians remained. So be it. She couldn’t save everybody, and she’d warned them. Her job was to protect the city, not fuckin’ assholes who thought they knew better.

Bike pipes roared, and the idiot Jax turned and shouted.

“See, it’s just a load of bikers. What’s the betting they’re here to party like usual,” Jax stepped forward and waved a hand.

Seconds later, he hit the floor as a bullet tore through him.

As much as Artemis hated to admit it, the ensuing chaos allowed her team to pick off targets easier. The Fangs, thinking all they faced were unarmed civilians, parked their bikes and tore after the fools. Artemis saw Akemi jump up and slit a Fang’s throat before he stabbed another through the ear. Akemi disappeared before anyone could react.

Kristoff appeared and broke two necks before ducking back behind a car.

A Fang ran around it and fired, but Kristoff had already gone. The Fangs were opening fire on the fleeing public, and Artemis refused to risk her plan to save them. They’d been warned. She accepted people would die today, maybe some of her own, and she wouldn’t risk them needlessly.

That may sound harsh, yet it was war.

Master Hoshi moved in front of a Fang who was twice his size; the Fang grinned before his throat was sliced open, and Master Hoshi faded away.

“Smoke screens!” Artemis called, and everyone threw their cannisters down.

The Fangs cursed and opened fire blindly. Several guys screamed as they were hit.

“Stop shooting, you fuckwits. You’re killing our own men!” somebody bellowed, and Artemis chuckled. Well, now, it looked like someone had brains.

Bodies were starting to cover the ground. Artemis noted Emory, Lothar, and Viking taking on a group and whittling them down one at a time. It reminded her of sharks circling a shipwrecked group.

Rodeo appeared and garrotted a Fang near her as Artemis leapt at a man and covered his mouth as she stabbed him several times. Rodeo winked and turned to grab another as she slashed a Fang from groin to throat. Artemis shook her hand as she moved away. Despite how sharp her knife was, that action always took strength.

Fangs fired every so often, but with the maze of cars and those that had been trying to flee, they were screwed. They couldn’t see, whereas Artemis and her people wore goggles to aid them.

“Grenade!” Ice yelled, and the Juno Group hit the floor as a stupid Fang blew himself and his brothers up.

“Fuckin’ idiot,” Simone stated and shot someone in the head.

“Retreat!” a Venomous Fang called, and Artemis chuckled. They’d be no running. Jana, Wyatt, Butch, and Simone were waiting to cut them off.

Artemis didn’t care if these had been forced to join the Venomous Fangs or if they had chosen to. Nobody would escape them today. They’d attacked her home, her people, and Artemis would not stand for it.

Akemi appeared by her side. She smiled at his leanly muscled form as he wore a tight tee and loose combat pants.

“Father is having fun,” Akemi stated as he flung a knife at a Fang, who emerged before them. It hit the same time as Artemis’s, and they chuckled.

“I thought Master Hoshi would enjoy this. This will hone father’s skills,” Artemis replied.

“They don’t need honing,” Akemi stated as the man they thought of as a father appeared and beheaded a Fang. Blood sprayed and yet none dared land on Master Hoshi’s crisp white shirt.

Artemis snorted. “Yeah, explaining that might be difficult,” she muttered.

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