Page 73 of Whispers and Warriors
“Bash?” Chris’s tone gentled imperceptibly as he turned to the big man.
Bash grunted, hands methodically checking his own body for damage. “Not sure. Bleeding from somewhere, but I’ll figure it out. No bullet wounds, I can tell you that much. Fucking amateurs if they can’t hit someone as big as me.”
“I’ll help,” Emma offered, already reaching for another med kit.
Chris waved her off. “I’ve got him. Somehow, I’m the only one who made it through unscathed this time.”
William frowned, a tendril of unease curling in his gut. It wasn’t like Chris to emerge from a firefight without a scratch.Before he could give voice to his concerns, Chris resumed speaking
“Alex, you’re with me. We need to check topside, see how the rest of the crew fared. Med bay is going to need you, and as much as I want to be selfish, we all know we can’t.” Chris’s expression was grim, the scar on his cheek stark in the harsh light. “It’s gonna be awhile before we can regroup.”
“Understood. I should report to the unit anyway, let them know we made it, but give me a few to stitch up this joker.”
William watched the slide of the needle in and out of his skin, the wound closing just a bit each time. Blood still dripped down his arm, but Alex worked quick, a skill few civilian medics could manage, but a necessity for military.
Alex pushed to his feet, favoring his injured ankle. “Okay, two idiots stitched. Bash if you find a real injury, you come find me.” He crossed to Emma in two long strides, cupping her face tenderly as he kissed her. “Stay safe, Sweetheart. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Emma clung to him for a moment, reluctant to let go. “You better be,” she whispered fiercely. “I can’t lose you.”
Alex tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his cocky smirk softening into something infinitely more intimate. “Never gonna happen. You’re stuck with me, remember?”
With a final press of his lips to her forehead, Alex released her and headed for the door, clapping William on the shoulder as he passed. Chris started to follow, but William called out, halting him.
“Who else is going out there?” William hated the way his voice shook, but he had to know. Had to brace himself for more loss, more grief.
Chris’s jaw tightened, a muscle ticking in his cheek. “No one is leaving that doesn’t have to. You and Bash rest. I want to keep it clear for the poor fuckers who have to throw the dead over…and I have to assume we’ll be part of that group due to our strength, so let’s rest now.”
William nodded, his stomach rolling at the idea of staring at more death, but if he could handle something someone else couldn’t, he was doing it. Just like joining the unit after the bombs when he had no business in the military.
Chris strode over to Emma,his hands framing her face as he searched her eyes, his own reflecting a maelstrom of emotions. “You sure you’re alright?” His voice was low, urgent.
Emma managed a shaky nod, leaning into his touch. “I’m okay. Just shaken up.” Her gaze darted to Liam, who was gingerly flexing his injured arm, his face a mask of pain. “But you’re all so injured. And Liam…”
Chris followed her line of sight, his brow furrowing. He pressed a swift, hard kiss to Emma’s lips before pulling away, his attention shifting to his second-in-command. “Liam, you think you can walk? If not, tell me, but I think I want you with me when we find out what’s going on.”
“In case you go into a rage fit?”
He snickered. “Yeah, that.”
Liam grimaced, but pushed himself upright, cradling his arm against his chest. “Yeah, I can manage. It’s just my arm, like Will’s but longer and with a fucking splinter still in it if I didn’t know better. And a concussion.”
“Good deal,” Chris took Emma’s hand and squeezed it because if he kissed her again he was going to insist on a wound check and he already knew she was somehow fine, just dazed. “No one leave. Understood?”
The chorus of understanding was enough for him, so he strode out with Liam behind him.
“Chris?” Liam’s hand wrapped around his wrist, stopping him.
“What’s up?”
Liam hesitated, something haunted flickering in his eyes. “Chris, those uniforms the attackers were wearing... I’ve seen them before. Long before the bombs dropped.”
Chris’s head snapped up, his gaze sharpening. “What do you mean? Where have you seen them?”
Liam shook his head, frustration etched into the lines of his face. “I can’t quite place it, but I know I’ve seen that insignia. It’s not military, but it’s definitely not civilian either.”
Chris absorbed that information, his mind racing. He hadn’t even gotten a good look at the people they were fighting because they just kept showing up. He’d assumed they were dealing with just another band of desperate survivors the military paid, but if Liam was right... This could be something far more dangerous.
He tore his gaze away from Liam, taking in the chaos of the hallway. People were huddled together, some weeping quietly, others staring blankly into space. The metallic scent of blood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid tang of gunpowder. It reminded him of some of the early days of hell when the population turned on each other.
