The Forsaken Empire (The Endervar War Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

hidden slits in her cheeks. The grumble could barely be heard.
    As for the deathly sensation, the telepathy around the woman had all but evaporated. Her mind was closed off. Although she approached, mentally, Farcia would not let him near. She breathed heavily from her gills and wished to only speak in the most minimal way.
    What what have you done? he asked.
    Above, the advertisements and music continued to play, undisturbed. The holoimages were beaming in neon. But Red saw and heard none of it. He was in a state of disbelief.
    He walked into the promenade to meet Farcia, the slaughter near his feet. It was all eerily calm a station bustling with activity had quickly been silenced. He heard a few more dying moans. Next to him lay a man, face down and unconscious. He was shivering, in the midst of a seizure, his containment suit cracked and oozing gas.
    Red stared at Farcia, demanding an answer. She looked back, unapologetic. Whatever sympathy she had, Red saw none.
    I had no choice, Farcia whispered. Security detected us.
    He looked through the bodies and noticed the smoke. Mechanical contraptions that resembled moving bots were on the floor, smashed. Red smelled the air signs of weapons fire, he thought.
    It doesn’t matter, she said. I came here to find you.
    Farcia coughed into her hand. Then again. The strain was evident. She fell onto one knee, then the next. She was holding her chest and stomach, cringing. Red ran to her, weaving through and over the bodies. He was only a few feet away when his blood boiled again. It coursed with anticipation. This was her. To be this close. Finally
    But suddenly, he stopped; his blood ran cool. Farcia was not alone.
    It seemed to materialize out of nothing a metal arm. It hung in the air, blocking his path. The palm opened. The fingers were like knives. Red watched as the rest of the body appear. It was armored, perfectly polished, and tiled in chrome.
    Like Farcia, this was a weapon. A war machine plated in metal and towering over Red. It stood partially draped in shadow. Whatever cloak it deployed was receding, revealing angular arms and legs shaped as blades. Red looked up and gazed into its singular eye. It flashed, burning in hostility. This is what had destroyed the security bots now shattered on the ground. The figure glared at him, and he sensed its strength and speed. He felt as if the machine could crush him under its feet.
    Farcia coughed. He looked down and saw her wiping her face. It was saliva from the ducts in her cheeks, along with blood and bile. The tainted scarlet was drying across her hand.
    Perhaps, she smirked, I’m finally dying
    She was not well. Red cautiously moved past the machine. He circled around Farcia’s companion and knelt down to meet her.
    What happened to you?
    Farcia remained closed off. Her gaze fell to the floor and lingered there, her eyes blinking away tears.
    My body it’s changing. Can you help me?
    She sounded soft and wounded. Red reached out and brushed back the hair over her eyes. It came naturally to him. His fingers raised the white and silver strands to touch the brow of her face.
    Farcia responded. She remembered this. Closing her eyes, Farcia tilted her face into his hand. Her skin was hard, but moist with sweat and tears. She was exhausted, maybe even ashamed.
    Red caressed her cheek.
    Openopen your mind, he asked, wiping the tears away.
    For a moment, he could sense it. The sensation was faint, unaware, but alive.
    Please, he said. I want to help.
    Red then ended his words with a thought: Trust me.
    And so she did.
    It was brief, but it happened. One mind and another, side by side, ready to meld. A mixture of emotion and thought were transferring to Red, arriving in a flood. Then, in another moment, he fell back. Farcia pushed him away, slapping him in the face. He felt the fingers and the cold tears upon them.
    No! she screamed. This was a mistake!
    Farcia held one side of her head, ducking away. She then crossed her arms,