BOOK 4 of the ORPHIC Series
DISENTHRALL
/ˌdisənˈTHrôl/
set free.
~~~~~
When Lucille 'Lucy' Opal Baker starts adjusting to a world without Captain America and more government therapy sessions...
T H E F A L C O N A N D T H E W I N T E R S O L D I E R
23
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"If you want to know the future, look at the past."
Riga, Latvia July, 2024
THEY LANDED IN A secluded area that led to a warehouse that made Lucy wonder just how many warehouses Zeno owned. She decided it was pointless to dwell on just how rich he was. Instead, she kept her eye on Alpine as she padded alongside them, sniffing around with her tail swaying from side to side. Lucy glanced behind her ever so often, watching their backs as they traveled along the sidewalk.
If she wasn't as weak as she was, she wouldn't need to turn around and could simply hear any assailant with perfect clarity. But her mind was fuzzy and her focus was frazzled. Lucy couldn't trust herself as much—not right now, anyway. Her abilities were gone—not permanently, never permanently—but it was gone nonetheless and she only had her weapons to rely on.
She sighed, shaking the dreary thoughts from her head.
Her fingers curled tighter around the books Stephen had given her.
"I heard what became of Sokovia." Zero started as they continued down the bustling sidewalk. "Cannibalized by its neighbors before the land was cleared of rubble, erased from the map."
Lucy barely gave him a glance, his voice a dull rumble in her ear as she carefully pushed Alpine back towards her, centering her cat so she was closer.
"I don't suppose any of you bothered visiting the memorial?" Zemo continued, glancing between James and Sam. "Of course. Why would you?"
His eyes flicked to Lucy, examining her as she kept her eyes focused on Alpine.
"At least Lucy had the decency to mourn for us." He stated, before pausing in front of a staircase leading to a broad door. "We are here."
James cleared his throat as Lucy picked up Alpine, tucking her books under her arm.
Alpine mrowed contently.
"I'm gonna go on a walk." James decided.
Lucy furrowed her eyebrows, shooting him a confused look. His eyes darted towards her. He moved his head slightly, a small inclination. It was a silent gesture of assurance–that he was okay. But Lucy wasn't sure if she could believe that. There was no possible way he was okay after everything in Madripoor.
