Page 105 of Soulless Deeds

Smoke filtered away, the snapshot image gradually clearing to display the destruction that engulfed the underground.

In the centre were Maximus and Gannicus, stuck in the throes of a one-on-one deathmatch. Laboured breaths and scattered injuries caused them to slow and tire. With the end near, it came down to mace versus sword, the victor drawing closer as their encounter grew perilous.

Around them, Ludus gladiators fought hard against Khaos rams, despite being overrun by the sheer mass of them. Psycho made the most headway, a wide berth of dead bodies laid at his feet as he carved through their forces like child’s play.

I kept on, instinctively pulled to the side, frantically searching for thatone. I couldn’t spare a thought for anything else.

Then I saw her. My redheaded queen, with alluring green eyes that stared death directly in the face and said “fuck you”, with a raised middle finger for extra effect.

She was mine.

Something knocked on the other side of my consciousness, urging me to take note, to heed the warning.

The place was flooded with Khaos. Although their calibre of fighting was abysmal, their sheer number meant that didn’t matter.

Soon, there would be no escape.I have to get her out.

Awareness ricocheted back into my body, debilitating pain taking hold, crushing my windpipe, strangling my rib cage.

Based on my wheezing pants and asphyxiating airway, the bullet had hit my lung.How the fuck am I supposed to help Ghost with this invalid, useless fucking body?

Suddenly, out of a puff of smoke came Emerson, who skittered and dropped to her knees at my side. Her blade made fast work of my shirt, then her palms pressed against my bullet wound.

Undiluted energy forged through my veins, a tonic so strong, it slowed the fountain of red dribbling down my sides.

“It’s not safe,” I managed to sputter. “There’s too many. Get Spencer and run.”

Emerson carried on as if I hadn’t spoken at all, full concentration on manipulating her Variant and keeping me alive.

“Emerson,listen,” I said. That got her attention. “You have to help her. Camilla is a snake, and will try anything to hurt Spencer.”

And you know what that little pixie girl did? She rolled her eyes. Literally. Rolled. Her. Fucking. Eyes. As if we weren’t on the verge of all being decimated.

“You should worry about yourself. Spencer can handle herself?—”

BANG!

A recognisable gunshot fired off, and a thick haze of dread jolted through my very being. A desperate growl ripped from my destroyed lungs as Emerson whimpered next to me.

We didn’t need evidence to sense something was desperately wrong…and we both knew who it entailed. Spencer was hurt.

With the last remaining air left in my torn fucking torso, I begged—for my life, my entire heart that now resided inside another.

I laid a palm over Emerson’s bloody hands, which remained locked against my sternum. “Go to her.”

“You’re injured. If I leave… Echo, you won’t?—”

I’ll die.“I know.”

I could see the battle raging inside her. She was conflicted. We didn’t know the severity of Spencer’s injuries. Was Emerson willing to risk my certain death for the unknown?

The strain played out over her face, tension swelling through her muscles as she pondered the life-altering decision.

Surprisingly, I held no reservations with the clear path ahead of me, more than accepting of my end if it ensured Spencer’s safety.

“My siblings are nearby,” Emerson said, speech rushed and urgent. “They will arrive in time to save you.”

I coughed, mucus building up my oesophagus. We both knew they were empty promises.

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