Page 55 of Salvation
“Fine for the moment. Did he get you?”
Nick turned his arm, a three-inch red line welled across the skin of his bicep. “I don’t think so, just a scratch.”
Dante’s frown matched the thought in his own mind.Hopefully.
Dante knelt to check the dead man. “A clean kill.” His grim gaze met Nick’s. “Are you well?”
It wasn’t the first time he’d killed someone. That line had been crossed at eighteen when assassins had tried to murder Alex. But, it was the first time he’d used his Gift to end a life. All healers were trained to do this for patients with no hope, an act of compassion carried out only at the patient’s request. This man was neither a patient, nor had he requested it. Not verbally, at least. By his actions, though, his request was loud and clear. He must have known the risk he’d taken and had chosen to overlook this as a possible outcome.
“My mind is well, and my actions justified.” It was the traditional response, although there probably weren’t very many healers throughout history who had said these words in a similar case. “It was either him, or me, Dante. I’m not sorry I’m the one still standing.”
Dante’s features relaxed. “Me too,ades. Help me get his warm clothes off. We’ll need them if we manage to get out of here.”
~*~
Nick peered around the corner, thetelumhe’d confiscated from his would-be executioner raised and ready to shoot. Where the hell was everyone? It was like they’d all beamed out, or something. Not one single soul had appeared to bar their escape, and now a heavy door that just might lead to the outside was a quick sprint down a seventy-foot corridor. Too easy, but at this point he’d take any blessings sent his way.
He leaned back against the wall and eyed Dante. “Feel like running?”
“I don’t feel any different than usual. It is possible that the serum doesn’t work on Matirans.”
Wishful thinking. The entire contents of the syringe had been emptied into Dante, and the time bomb was ticking.
“Your face expresses your skepticism,” Dante said. “What about you? The needle broke your skin.”
“Yeah, but the syringe was still full.” Unless there had been fluid in the needle at the moment of contact, he should be fine.
The look Dante gave him was pointed. “Perhaps you should prepare me for what’s to come so I’ll recognize the signs and can alert you.”
“There won’t be any warning.”
Dante stared at him, then slowly nodded. “I do not care to be their test subject.”
“Then, how about we get the hell out of here and back to Center?”
“Agreed.”
“Great.” Nick jerked his head in the direction of the corridor. “You go first, I’ll cover.”
Dante didn’t hesitate, and moments later they burst through the door and into the frigid, grey evening. Of an alien planet. With no map. Or compass.
Shit.
The wind tussled the treetops and fat flakes of snow swirled passed them. They were going to die out here in the approaching storm.
“This way, Nick.” There was a confident line to Dante’s stride. How could he be so certain when everything here looked exactly the same?
“How do you know? The villages could be that way.” Nick waved one hand in the opposite direction.
Dante stopped. “Remember, I told you that Gryf and Graig used to participate in drills out here?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you think the fleet would send their officers here without a medical team?”
Nick blinked. “You mean, you’ve been here?”
Dante gestured in the direction of the building they’d just escaped. “This was one of the command bases we used. The villages are no more than a days walk from here.”
“Wait. Wouldn’t there be a comm center inside? We could use it to get a lift out.”
Dante shook his head. “The fleet does not fly in these storms; too dangerous. Besides, we would need a clearance authorization code to send a message, which we do not have. And that is assuming the equipment has not been deactivated. The fleet has not used this site since the dissenters were homed here.”
“But, still, it’s shelter. Maybe we should hole up here until the storm passes.”
“Do you truly wish to go back in there now that we are free?” Dante pointed in the direction of the trees. “There is a small shelter used by participants in the drills less than five kilots from here. We could get there shortly after dark, if we hurry.”
