Page 6 of Camriel
A feminine scream came from just ahead and they exchanged a look.“This is your chance,” Camriel said with a grin.
They slowed down, then stopped to scan the neighborhood.“I can hear someone crying in there,” Amaros said, pointing at a big house with yellow paint and white trim.
“There are several humans inside,” Cam said, picking up on them.“Do you want me to wait here, or do you want me to be your backup?”
Amaros gave him a chiding look for the insulting question.He left his second behind as he loped down the street.
Camriel took the romance book out of his jacket.He listened to the short, one-sided battle as he resumed reading.Amaros returned a few minutes later, looking pleased with himself.The romance novel was safely out of sight when he came to a stop.
“Everything is in full working order,” the knight announced.“I’m stronger and faster than before.My bond with Zoe has definitely enhanced my skills.”
“Sweet,” Camriel said with a sunny smile.“I can’t wait to become even more awesome than I already am when I bond with my mate.”
The knights shared a grin, then resumed their journey.
Chapter Four
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VICTORIA DIDN’T MANAGEto get very far after fleeing her home last night.Large mobs were fighting at all of the exits along the Hudson River.She figured things would be just as bad to the east as well.Flaming metal drums lit up the tunnels she’d scouted, making it impossible to sneak past the brawling crowds.She’d prowled up and down the river, wishing she knew how to swim, or drive a boat.
Dawn arrived and she found herself at the northern tip of Manhattan.The Henry Hudson Bridge was blocked by vehicles in both directions.Someone was up high, sniping people for fun.She could hear him cackling every time he hit someone.
People were crammed onto the bridge, taking cover behind the vehicles.Most had suitcases and other luggage.They looked defeated rather than rebellious.Clearly, they weren’t about to root out the sniper and take him down.
“Screw this,” Victoria said and trotted back along the bridge.Few people spared her a glance.They’d hiked for miles only to find they were stuck here.There was no food, money had no value and they had nowhere to go.
Dense shrubs and trees lined both sides of the wide bridge.Victoria picked up her pace.She ran until the structure was low enough for her to leap down into the shrubbery.Crashing through the foliage, she backtracked to the water.“Ew, gross,” she complained when she saw bloated bodies floating past.
Spying a white and orange plastic barrier bobbing on the edge of the water, she strode over and grabbed it.“Perfect,” Vic said in satisfaction.She undressed down to her underwear and removed her socks and shoes.She stuffed her gear into her backpack and placed both of her bags on the barrier.While she couldn’t swim, she wasn’t a complete idiot in the water.“Here we go,” she said and waded into the river.The cold didn’t bother her as much as it did for normal people, which she was grateful for.Holding onto the improvised floatation device, she kicked her legs to propel herself forwards.
“You can’t get away from me!”the sniper screeched angrily when he spotted her.He fired and hit the edge of the plastic barrier.
“Fudging shizbag,” Victoria muttered, kicking as hard as she could while angling away from the bridge.She turned the barrier sideways to shield her from view.A few more bullets slammed into it, narrowly missing her.She quickly crossed to the other side and slogged her way onto dry land.
“Made it,” she said in relief, then loped over to a large tree with her bags in hand.She used it for cover to change into fresh underwear.Squeezing the water out of her undies, she shoved them into a plastic bag she’d brought with her.Using a t-shirt as a towel, she dried off and pulled her clothes back on.
