Chapter 75

 

FREI LAY IN the corner; she didn’t have the energy to move. It didn’t really matter. He was faster than her. Even limping, he was more than a match for her. 

“Seems you got clever, slave.” Jäger drew his knife. “Too clever.”

Her eyes flickered.

 

“You are going to tell me where she is, Slave.” He stood in front of her, a glint in his eyes. She looked away. He’d done his worst now.

 

She blinked away the pain. Jessie needed her to stay with it a bit longer. She pulled the trigger.

Bam.

Jäger laughed as it hit the wall beside him and waved his blade. “Having trouble with your aim?”

 

“Such a temper.” He tutted, wiping the spit off his face. She couldn’t do anything else. “We can remedy that.”

 

She dragged herself upward. Squeezed the trigger again.

Bam.

Closer but still not near enough. “Huber hid you well.”

 

“Girl, you must never let them catch you, do you understand?” Huber stood over her. She was young again. Her hair in her face again. Her first “task” for him.

 

Frei sighed. “What is it with you and boring conversations?”

“To think I didn’t see beyond the man’s haircut.” He laughed. “Should have known by the taste for trinkets.”

 

“They can’t know your skills. You can’t draw attention to yourself.” Huber’s eyes so fierce.

She couldn’t do anything but nod, her hands shaking.

 

The gun heavier. Her heart pounded. Faster. Faster. She squeezed the trigger. She had to keep going. For Jessie.

Bam.

Jäger raised his eyebrow as blood trickled down from the nick on his cheek. “Lucky shot.”

“Come a bit closer and it won’t be.” She smiled, ignoring the fear rippling through her, the pain. Her heart smashed against her rib cage. Sweat poured from her. Memories flickered before her eyes. 

“A lot like you, isn’t she?” Jäger limped forward, wagging the blade at her. “Same weak little frame.”

 

“Why are you fighting, Slave. You think you’re stronger than me?” Jäger laughed as she struggled to free herself. He dragged her, her feet catching on the grouting.

 

Bam.

Jäger stepped out of the way.

Her heart faster. Faster. Faster. She couldn’t breathe. She had to hold on . . . a little . . . longer. “At least . . . she isn’t . . . like you.”

Bam.

Jäger reached her. Lifted her to her feet. His hand around her throat. Like she was back then. Weak. She couldn’t fight. The gun clattered to the floor. “Ah, but she’s a loose string that needs to be tied, Slave.”

Her pulse smashed against his hand. He laughed in her face.

Smack.

Jäger grunted.

Frei dropped to the floor.

He turned. His head bleeding.

“Why don’t you pick on somebody your own size?” Aeron.

Jäger growled, knife readied, and charged at her. Aeron dodged, dislodging the blade but Jäger tackled her to the floor. 

Frei blinked free her shifting vision. The knife lay to the side. She summoned all her energy and kicked out. It slid off the edge into the water.

 

“Long blonde hair.” Jäger laughed. “You know how much that would make you worth?” He stroked her cheek. “Huber must think you’re worth something to keep stepping in.”

 

She gripped her chest. The agony rolled through her. She forced open her eyes. Aeron was battered. She scoured the floor. Where was the gun? Where was the—?

“One bullet left. How convenient.” Jäger. She looked up. The barrel pointed at her.

She sighed. At least Jessie was safe. 

“Aeron, no—”

Bam.