Mercenary Read Online Free Page B

Death, Niko,” Cleon said with a
look of disapproval.
    “Phoibe asked him to spare us, and he did,”
Tommy added.
    I knew the name of a handful of gods but not
this one. “Why would a god help you, if they’re fire balling the
rest of the world?” I asked the Queen.
    Her gaze slid to me, but it was Tommy who
answered.
    “We don’t know.”
    “You are very fortunate to be alive,” Cleon
said, impressed. “But we aren’t out of the danger zone yet. We face
a difficult time escaping, I fear. The city has descended into
chaos, and I believe everyone in a position of influence is
searching for you, Your Majesty.”
    “Phoibe says if you can help us, she will be
in your debt,” Tommy said.
    I almost laughed. The girl had walked
straight into Cleon’s trap. The politician was feigning warmth and
gratitude as he responded, but I didn’t have to guess what was
going through his mind. He had secured the favor of the most
powerful woman on the planet, the only surviving member of the
Sacred Triumvirate. His foolish trek into the war zone that was DC
was going to pay off, assuming he survived.
    I took up a position at the door, close
enough to Cleon to stop him if he made any sudden moves towards my
son.
    “My most trusted man is on the job,” Cleon
said with a look at me. “You must be Tommy,” he said to my son. He
started forward, and I snatched his arm.
    “Don’t,” I warned.
    Unfazed, Cleon stayed where he was.
    “Phoibe is worried about Theodocia,” Tommy
said. “Is my mommy okay?”
    Both Queen and boy were huddled next to the
High Priestess.
    “She’s alive and breathing fine. Whatever
happened knocked you all out,” I replied.
    The two exchanged a worried look, and I
sensed I had somehow missed the meaning behind the question.
    “She will be well, Tommy, I promise,” Cleon
said. “My men are looking for an escape route. Once they find it,
we’ll be headed to safety.”
    “Which is where?” I asked quietly.
    “The central compound in DC housing the
Supreme Triumvirate. Her majesty has a palace there, and no doubt,
security.”
    I didn’t understand the extent of Cleon’s
game – but I could definitely understand taking the vulnerable
Queen to the one place in DC where she might escape the riots and
chaos. With any luck, I’d have the opportunity to extricate Tommy
from Cleon’s clutches before then.
    “Sir,” one of Cleon’s men called, moving
down the hallway towards us. He smelled of blood and sweat and was
panting. “We found an exit. Our enemies figured out we’re down
here. We need to move now!”
    Before he was finished, I was at Theodocia’s
side. I lifted her and shifted her over my shoulder. Phoibe
appeared scared, and Tommy slid his hand into hers as they
stood.
    “How many men do you have left, including
me?” I asked Cleon and joined him at the doorway.
    “Three.”
    I shook my head. “Can you handle a gun?”
    “I sport shoot.”
    “Those are rifles, not hand cannons.” I
handed him one of my spares. “Close enough. Same principles. Now,
let’s go.”
    “Phoibe says we have to help the pilot and
her bodyguard,” Tommy said.
    “Can the woman speak for herself?” I
snapped.
    “She’s mute, Niko. Your son appears to have
a gift to be able to hear her,” Cleon replied. “You two, grab the
pilot and bodyguard.” He ordered the remaining members of his
personal security team.
    “They’ll slow us down,” I objected. “They
can’t fight if they’re carrying people.”
    “If Her Majesty wants them saved,” Cleon
said, “then we will save them.”
    “Phoibe says thank you,” Tommy said.
    I strode out of the room, annoyed with
Cleon’s attempted heroics when I knew he didn’t care about anyone
but himself. “Tommy! Stay right behind me.”
    He hurried to follow, tugging the young
queen with him. With both my mobility and line of sight severely
compromised, I had to stay sharper than before. One of my arms was
wrapped around Theodocia’s legs, and I