| |
“He’s alive,” Kazem says in a low voice, his voice quick and urgent. “But I don’t know how long he’ll stay unconscious for.” He glances at Shweta. “We need to get him out now.”
Shweta nods and then she’s radioing through for Maggot and the extraction team. Ysabelle doesn’t say a word, just stares around at Red’s apartment. She looks so out of place here, dressed in dark rags that are artfully tied.
The three of them came as soon as I radioed through.
“Maggot’s on her way, with the others,” Shweta says. “Better tie him up quickly.”
My hands are shaking, hell, I’m shaking so much, I can’t help as they tie him up and gag him. Kazem pulls a muslin bag over Red’s face and then Duct-tapes it around his neck.
“Not too tight,” I say.
Kazem nods. “I know what I’m doing.”
The extraction team arrives just as we finish getting Red ready, and Ysabelle lets them in. Maggot gives a nod of approval. She’s got a scrap of paper in her hand and shows it to me. It’s a crudely drawn map showing the route they’re taking.
“Keep your radios on,” she instructs us. “And I want you splitting into two pairs to go back. Different routes from each other and us. If the distraction team doesn’t work you can all step in.”
Everyone nods, but inside, I’m sinking. I may have to be a distraction? I swallow hard. I feel nauseous and weak and so, so dizzy. The thought of having to run and distract, having to be chased and try to escape—escape Enhanced Ones and certain conversion—has my stomach twisting.
“Kace and I will go together,” Kazem says. He squeezes my hand. I hadn’t realized he was holding it.
“We’ll see you back at the tunnels,” Shweta says, and flicks her gaze to her left to include Ysabelle, who’s still looking around Red’s apartment. She’s running her hands over the smooth marble counter next to the sink now, apparently marveling at every little detail. Of course, she’s a clansman. She’s never been inside a house so modern before.
And then we’re moving. The extraction team picks up Red’s still-unmoving body, and everyone’s leaving.
Kazem pulls me through the doorway. “Better take off your jacket,” he says.
Yes. Right. I’m still wearing the high-viz.
Once it’s stuffed back in my rucksack, we make our exit. The others are so far ahead, I can’t see them—and I can’t even remember the way Maggot showed me on the map. All I can concentrate on is how unwell I feel. How my head is getting heavier and heavier, my legs slower. How when I look at my hands they’ve gone a dark blue-purple color. How my mouth is too dry and I’m struggling to swallow. And how my chest feels like it’s going to explode.
“You okay?” Kazem asks. “You’re proper pale.”
We’re outside now. I gulp in the fresh air, tell myself it’ll help me feel better. I just need air. That’s all it is. It was too stuffy in the apartment block. Couldn’t breathe. But out here I can.
“I’m fine.”
I just wish my body would realize that.
Wish that my body would go back to working exactly how I need it to.
“Good, because the real work is about to begin,” Kazem says.
“The real work?” I frown, looking up at him.
“Getting this Red guy to do whatever it is you want him to do—and while he’s running lean.” He laughs, low and dark. “It’s not going to be easy, but if anyone can do it, Kace, it’s you.”
I nod, forcing a smile. No pressure then.