Page 90 of Swamp Kings 1

Before the third triplet even spoke those words, all eyes were on him, waiting. They were getting used to them speaking as a three-man team. A single thought, broken into three parts.

“Hence, we need a better vessel,” Kult said.

“Handy said Bishop can build what he needs,” Harlow said.

All eyes landed on Bishop.

“If you were to receive certain upgrades,” he added.

“If you mean the bite,” Bishop said, shaking his head. “I’m not there yet.”

“What are your thoughts on the bite?”

The question came from Seer, surprising him. “I think logically… the science works. But… something in the unforeseen realm has me…”

“Running as far from it as possible?” Hurricane offered. “I sure as fuck share that sentiment. But then I ain’t got a lick of gifts, so I’m guessing all that juice will go to my love for destroying shit.” He shook his head real big. “Unless you find a way to give this thing a built-in leash, I’m hiding my neck from that fucker's teeth,” he said, eyeballing Nitro.

“I can give it a leash if I take the bite,” Lesion said quietly.

Fuck. Bishop did not like putting his men before him in this. “Maybe I can build what’s needed without the bite.”

“I spoke to King Nidev,” Seer said. “Wanted to learn what I could about the coin he saw.”

8-Bit wondered, “So it was a coin?”

“I had a vision and wanted it verified.”

Ah fuck. And Seer was looking at him. “What did you see, mon frere?” Bishop asked.

Seer straightened in his seat and clasped his hands on the table before him. “I saw in my vision,the word IDOL. It was on the coin. And I saw… a group of people using Rukem’s bridge to rescue a woman. I saw the woman clear as day. Maggie was able to touch me and draw everything in my vision.”

He suddenly stood and pulled paper from his coat, walking it over to Bishop. “Tell me what you see, son.”

Bishop opened the papers and spread the three sheets on the table, standing to get a good look. He recognized himself on the bridge. And Spook. Seer, maybe. The triplets. And two women. He pointed to the one he recognized. “Is this Maggie?”

“It is,” Seer said.

“This is me and Spook. The triplets,” he pointed out. “You?” he wondered, touching the one facing away.

“Indeed it is.”

“And is this the woman we’re rescuing?” he asked, pointing to the long haired brunette, also facing away. “She’s with child?” he wondered, eying her swollen midsection.

“She is.” He turned over the last page and pointed. “But this is the woman we’re rescuing.” He flipped the page back over and touched the other woman. “That’s your wife.”

“What?” he muttered, looking at him then back at the paper. “How can you be sure, she’s facing away, it could be anybody.”

“Maggie said it’s her sister,” he said, his voice low.

Bishop stared at the paper, his head shaking as it all hit him, why Seer was being so careful about it. “Well, brother,” he began, that familiar darkness rising up in him. “She isn’t leaving these swamps.”

“Her gifts, brother,” he said extra quietly. “Are what’s needed for this rescue.”

“And if she doesn’t go?” he challenged, locking gazes with Seer.

The compassion in his blue eyes served to stoke his growing fury. “I know how fucking terrified you are,” he said quietly. “I’ve been there.”

“Where the fuck am I, Samuel? This isn’t the same, my wife is safe in these swamps where she belongs and if you could’ve kept Cherie from leaving, don’t fucking tell me you wouldn’t have!” he swore, his breaths shaking with the idea of it.

---