Page 56 of Wings of Ebony
I’d lay their asses out right now if I could.
“Litto, you want to talk to this kid?” The last guy turns back to the meeting room, a gun the size of his arm clutched in his grip.
“I’ll take a look, but you just handle it. I should be getting back.” Litto steps out and I can see him—like, fully see him.
Thin lips, grayish pale skin, and a scar below his right eye.
My blood turns to ice.
Litto is the General—General Deo from Ghizon.
CHAPTER 18
MY SHAKY FINGERS FINDmy wristwatch. The pitch-black closet glows blue. I can hardly type, my mind and heart racing each other.
Me: Bri!!!!! I need my onyx to work!!!! NOW!
Ghizoni don’t come here. Period, at all. It’s forbidden.
Footsteps pass the closet and I suck in a breath.Don’t move. Don’t even breathe.The General and his crew exit the hallway and I ease out of the closet, on their heels.
They’re going to kill somebody. Some kid!
My watch vibrates.
Bri: Are you okay??? I’m still trying!!
Me: It’s the General.
How does he get away with this? His disgusting condescending smile haunts me.Chancellor’s orders, he’d said. Could Aasim know?
Bri: What?? What’s the general?
Me: General Deo is HERE with the guys with the snake tattoo! I saw him! I need my magic Bri, now!!
I slip around the corner and they are heading back toward the warehouse I came out of. He’s here. They said the kid is here. I can’tjust leave him.Shit!I look around for anything—a gun, knife, something.
Nothing.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
The warehouse door closes and my foot nudges a pipe. Not my first choice, but it’s something. The rusted metal scratches my palm as I tighten my grip.
Bri: GENERAL DEO?! RUE, GET OUT OF THERE NOW!!
She doesn’t understand.
This is a ride or die moment. I can’t.
I push open the warehouse door and slip inside. This time the lights are on and shouts bounce off the walls. I duck behind a tower of pallet wood crates for a better view. There’s three of them and a boy who looks about my age sitting tied to a chair. His mouth’s gagged and blood drips from his brow down onto his mahogany skin. I recognize him from Homecoming Court. It’s Brian, quarterback at Jameson High.
My heart ticks faster and I thumb the cold onyx fused to my wrist.Come on, Bri.
I turn the metal in my clammy hands. Maybe if I can clock one from behind, then I can snatch his gun and drag me and Brian out of here. Maybe.
Bri: RUE???
Me: I can’t leave. Activate my stones.
