Page 52 of The Brotherhood

Skul glared at the comm on the table. “Well, Roberta, this world of ours is filling up with exceptional incidents if you hadn’t noticed.”

Roberta?

“What happened?” Alerik suddenly demanded, joining the pissed party. “Is this about Poppy? Is she okay?”

The accusation in his tone devoured the rest of Skul’s fuse. “You tell me, oh perceptive one.” He jerked to Kael on his right. “Get your mental malfunctions off me, King Calm.”

8-Bit lowered his grin, in love with the rare occasions they fought. The only thing missing with these brothers was the laughter.

“Poppy is fine,” Quantum assured. “She is now the safest woman on this planet. Their bond is unbreakable.”

“I can attest, brother,” a low voice said over the comm. Sounded like one of the Triplets again. “Their link rivals that of me and my brothers. There is no need or desire she has that he will not use all of his powers to fulfill.”

Skul paused abruptly. “I will not stand here and pretend that your creations are not remarkable machines and tools, but they cannot and never will replace a human connection.”

“Nor would we want to,” the triplets said in that crazy vocal unison. “Humans often break what they love and fail their oaths. We do not possess that flaw. Our love is loyal, our purpose is incorruptible, our bond without error.”

There was a breath of silence then, “Sounds like we got bit by the wrong brother,” King Vale mused.

The longing in his voice hit 8-Bit’s funny bone and his snicker drew all eyes. “Hey,” 8-Bit defended at seeing a few hostiles. “You wanted a shortcut to a powerup, not me. But if it makes you feel better, we’re all scheduled to get it.”

“Brilliant,” Vale muttered. “We’ll plan a going away party for whatever civility and pride you possess.”

8-Bit chuckled, lowering his shaking head. “Kinda scarce on those already.”

Nidev took in a huge breath. “So, we send out the drones, gather data and go from there.” He looked around like a manwho knew exactly what to do with his dick and was ready to get to doing it. “Dalk, call your Marsh Brother and inquire about his Viking friends. Do we have an update on the Marsh King?”

“Stable,” Quantum said. “His regeneration is on schedule to be complete in four days.”

“Good. Kael, you’re on Zodak. We need him ready to move out if we’re collecting people. He’ll be our last defense if this is some kind of trap.”

“What about their Seer?” Skul remembered.

“Haven’t heard from him,” Krovax said. “I’ll call his wife. Samuel asked me to keep an eye on things before he left on the mission.”

“We’ll need his gifts too,” Nidev said. “8-Bit. You mind getting a head count on the men from your swamp?”

“Can do.”

After agreements and sarcastic goodbyes, 8-Bit made his way to Skul. “You look like a man with a murder plan. You wanna share a drink and tell me all about it?”

Skul faced him with a momentum that made him brace. “You mean do I want to have a date with Mr. Asshole Anonymous himself? I thought you’d never ask.” He snatched his phone from the table and pocketed it. “Where are we having this steamy engagement?”

8-Bit grinned as they walked. “How about a romantic cruise on G-G?"

“Ah, my terror’s G-spot. Perfect. Why watch a horror movie when you can ride one?”

8-Bit had to laugh, loving his sarcasm. “I have a new drone I want to test. I’ll take us to the long bridge. Get a jump on having a look at some of these bridge beacons while you tell me all about your dick-glitches.”

“Only if you tell me yours,” he said. “My gifts say you’ve got stories to distract me. And I really need a fucking distraction.”

CHAPTER 12

The Abyss

Beth burst through the sleep paralysis with a drowning gasp.

Strong hands gripped her shoulders with a quiet, “You’re okay, shhhh. It’s Sinrik.”

---