Lightbringer Read Online Free

polishing the grain of the wood. “But maybe I can forget for a bit. We can be copasetic for an emergency.”
    “Then I'm not going to impose.” Ignoring the bittersweet pang at her words, Piotr sketched a shallow bow. “I owe you that courtesy.” Glad to have the current state of their animosity sorted out, Piotr stepped away from the door and raised his voice. “I'm leaving.”
    “What?” Dora appeared at the door of a far office, pale-faced and scowling. “You ain't staying too?”
    “Sorry, I can't.” Piotr knelt down and opened his arms. Tubs trundled willingly in for a hug but Specs and Dora hung back, both frowning. “I need to go get the lay of the land.”
    Dora tried again. “But it ain't safe—”
    “For you.” Passing Tubs to Elle's waiting arms, Piotr rose and dusted his knees. “Walkers usually don't eat Riders, remember?” he teased, poking his bicep. “Our meat's too tough.”
    “Technically, you aren't a Rider anymore,” Specs pointed out, pushing his glasses up his nose. When Piotr wouldn't drop his arms, Specs reluctantly stepped to Piotr's side and hugged him. When he squeezed, Piotr could feel Specs' ribs and the steady thrum of the years unlived just beneath his skin. “You quit, remember?”
    “Teenagers, then.” Specs stepped away and Piotr held out his arms. “Dora, please? I don't know when I'll be back this way again.” He glanced out the window as he pleaded, noting the swiftly rising fog rolling in from the bay and the dappled clouds covering the shining silver sun. The storm was rolling in.
    “I changed my mind.” Hurrying across the room, Dora dropped her backpack at his feet and flung herself at Piotr. Clinging powerfully to his waist she cried, “I ain't stayin' here without you.”
    “Geeze, thanks,” Elle muttered under her breath, and Piotr hid a smile.
    “It's safer here for you.” Piotr knelt down and embraced Dora tightly. “Elle is amazing at this. You know how good she is with her bow. She'll keep you safe.”
    “But you ain't comin' back if I stay!”
    “Pandora, my malen'kaya printsessa,” Piotr groaned. He hugged her tighter. “I promise. I promise that when I can guarantee there aren't any more Walkers sniffing around the mill, I'll come back for you three, yes? We'll go back home as soon as it's safe. Da?”
    She sniffled, drawing back slightly. “You promise?”
    “Cross my heart.”
    “'Kay.” Pulling away, Dora knelt down and sorted through her bag until she had her sketchbook in hand. She flipped to the last page and ripped the tree sketch free. “Take it. You promised.”
    “I promise,” he agreed, taking her sketch and tucking it away before dropping a final kiss on her tousled curls.
    Elle, balancing Tubs easily on her hip, followed Piotr down the stairs. One-handed, she loosened a dagger from her hip and slapped the flat of the blade against his upper arm until Piotr took the gift and tied it at his side. Like all Elle's weapons, the dagger was honed to a razor-sharp edge and curved cruelly.
    “Offer's still open if you change your mind.” Elle jiggled Tubs until he giggled. “Isn't that right? Isn't it?” Tubs babbled happily and the warm haze of his energy surrounded them in a sweetly scented mist.
    “Keep them safe.” Piotr momentarily considered kissing Elle's cheek but thought better of it. Dagger or not, she was still pissed at him.
    In the distance a trolley bell dinged, faint and faraway. The fog was starting to really move now, rolling across the streets in swift and steady waves, already up to Piotr's knees. Up the street the living thronged together, ignoring the fog and the dank smell of rotting fish rising from the sea. Nearby a woman screamed laughter; for the living it would be piercing, but Elle and Piotr were cushioned by the years of empty silence and could barely hear the cry.
    “You keep yourself safe,” Elle retorted. “Just cuz I hate you don't mean I want you pushin' up daisies. Again, I mean.”