Dragon: Allie's War Book Nine Read Online Free Page B

Revik’s thoughts. He wants to take both of them out of the city as soon as possible, now that we’ve got them secured in the truck and the tank construct’s holding. He’s thinking maybe we use Chan as a diversion if she gets stuck here much longer…
    I felt Wreg acknowledge that, too.
    A twinge of impatience left his light that time, though.
    It occurred to me I was thinking things at him that Wreg already knew, maybe out of nerves, or maybe just to fill space. Unlike humans, seers didn’t tend to repeat known information to one another as a general rule, so Wreg took my doing so now as nagging.
    Or an unnecessary reminder, at the very least.
    He took his security duties pretty damned seriously. Especially now.
    What about the illusion on the street? Wreg grunted. How does it look? Can we lock it down as is, or does he want us to modify it first?
    I sighed a little, but passed that question on to Revik directly.
    “I’m thinking we should go more towards the dead body smell for the humans,” Revik said matter-of-factly, using the headset that time. “…We’re good on the seer side. As good as we can make it, anyway. We’re pretty far from most of the seer enclaves anyway. The humans are no where near cleaning up this side of the city, so a large number of their dead should create a pretty wide area of avoidance…”
    I nodded, then sent that on to Wreg, too.
    Most of my attention remained on the wall and the column of smoke and to a lesser degree on Balidor’s team, even through the back and forth with Revik and Wreg.
    I could hear the increase in automatic gunfire.
    I got a twinge when it hit me that Balidor and Wreg had already sent Chan with a small team to see if they could help the Thai humans. From the Barrier things were still pretty confused––a lot of shouting and tension, especially on the defending side of the wall. The Myther side felt strangely blank to me until I realized they must have seers with them, shielding them, which made me nervous, too.
    Don’t get too close, princess… Wreg cautioned me. Adhipan is monitoring those fucks.
    What do you think, Wreg? I sent. Do they know we’re here?
    I felt Wreg focus on my question, even as his consciousness remained split.
    I felt him continue to work on the construct around the truck and monitor what Chan and the others were doing even as he answered me.
    I think your husband is right, Wreg said finally. I think our being on the defensive and simply trying to avoid them won’t work for much longer, Esteemed Bridge. I think we’ll end up being dragged down by the wolves if we continue like this. They’ve got us on the run, and they know it. It will only make them more aggressive…
    I frowned, but didn’t comment.
    I agreed with him, just like I’d agreed with Revik when he’d said more or less the same thing to me, only using stronger words. I knew with Revik it was more than that, but it didn’t take away from the essential rightness of what he believed.
    I also knew it had to happen soon.
    The thought brought a sudden, hard knot to my chest.
    The pain came fast enough and intensely enough that it nearly blanked me out. I found myself panting a few seconds later as my vision blurred, a fist pressed to the middle of my chest. I forced my mind to work, to pull back, even as I fought for air. It hit me suddenly that I might black out…I might black out for real.
    Sister? Wreg sounded alarmed. Sister…are you all right?
    His voice receded as I fought to hold it back.
    Sister? Allie!
    That time, Wreg’s thoughts sounded clearer. Still panting, I shook my head, still fighting to hold onto consciousness, to force it back.
    I’m all right, I managed.
    Sister…I did not mean to upset you, he sent. He exuded worry now, even a flicker of panic. I felt guilt with that, too, but his worry overpowered the rest. Esteemed sister, I apologize. Truly. I spoke too bluntly. I thought I was merely confirming what you and Nenz––
    It’s fine, I told