Page 76 of Darling Wildfire
“Took out two of the team before theydisappeared into the church,” he said.
“Come down.” I looked around the corner and heard an explosion rock the church followed by gunfire.
“What the fuck?” Vyper exclaimed over comms. “Taking heavy fire—target is—target is in a cage! It’s a woman!”
“Repeat that?” Nyx asked.
“A fucking cage, Reaper—get your asses in here! We need ammo and backup!”
We bolted for the front of the church and charged through into chaos. The pews were destroyed or shoved against the walls leaving the massive middle area open and exposed. At the altar, as though put there as a sacrifice, was a large cage with a woman huddled naked, locked inside. Vyper, Preacher and Dutch were on one side of the altar behind a column exchanging fire with another five men across the way. There wasn’t any sign of Colt.
We immediately dove for cover as one of the enemy soldiers opened fire. Nyx and I scrambled backwards as the stones exploded at our feet. Atlas had gone the other way and was making a run for the stairs leading up into the gallery.
I grabbed Nyx and hauled him to his feet just as three smoke grenades went off sending the entire space into a thick haze. I used the wall as a guide, feeling Nyx’s hand on my shoulder, as I made my way towards the altar. I saw a muzzle flash and nearly walked straight into the barrel of a gun. I knocked it away and went to the ground on top of the man, a mixture of instinct and training kicking in. I landed on him and got in a few solid punches before a sharp knock to my head gave him the advantage and we rolled across the church floor.
I was temporarily breathless as my back slammed into a broken pew. The second cost me and the man took advantage by landing a few punches to my face before his hands found my neck. My hands scrambled to both sides, searching for anything to use as a weapon. My fingers closed around a piece of wood and I brought it up, striking it against the side of his face. I scrambled to my knees, yanking a knife from his belt as he toppled over and followed him down to the ground. I plunged the knife into his neck, jerking it sideways so hard the bones of his spine scraped across the blade.
I heard chatter over comms. “Vyper, open the cage!”
I looked up to see the smoke had thinned, revealing Nyx on his back with a gun in his face. I yanked the knife out of the man beneath me and threw it across the space. It impaled the man in the arm and the shot aimed at Nyx’sface went wide. I launched myself at the man a moment later, taking him down and fighting for the gun as we rolled. I gained control and with a snarl, shoved the gun under his chin and pulled the trigger. His head exploded, coating me in more blood. I quickly ran a hand over my face to clear my vision and nearly shot Nyx as he came up with an AR in hand.
Another man ran towards us out of the diminishing haze. Nyx and I both raised our guns but before he’d even made it another step a rifle shot rang out and he dropped. I looked up at the same time as Nyx who saluted the gallery.
“Thanks,” I said.
“No problem, boss,” Atlas answered over comms. “I have two targets pinned in the back room. Vyper is at the cage.”
I rushed with Nyx over to the cage.
“Move!” I demanded. “Why the fuck haven’t you opened it yet?”
I shoved Vyper out of the way, ignoring his protests. Raising my gun I shot the lock and threw open the door. The woman was huddled in the back, her wrists handcuffed in front of her. There was a blindfold over her eyes and duct tape over her mouth. I grabbed her arm and dragged her out, throwing her over my shoulder.
“Let’s go!” I barked. “Atlas—any movement out front?”
“Negative.”
I was already moving towards the front doors. The woman was struggling in my arms, making it difficult to carry her.
“Vyper, Preacher—rear guard—”
“Since when are you giving orders, Kraven?” Vyper demanded, jogging to catch up.
I rounded on him so fast he nearly ran into me.
“Since this has become an utter shit show,” I snarled.
“Fuck you! I did what I had to do! I’m not taking orders from you!”
“We don’t have time for this!” Preacher demanded, gun pointed towards the back door that had inched open as we stood arguing. I drew my .45 and pointed it at Vyper.
“Decide. Now. Or I’ll consider you a liability,” I panted.
Vyper’s eyes narrowed and his lips thinned as he glared at me.
“Copy,” he said through gritted teeth.
I threw a look at Nyx who nodded. I didn’t trust this man with a gun at my back.
