The Emptiness She Holds

It could be worse

Chapter 14: It Could Be Worse

"Fucking hell," I whispered harshly.

We'd made it to the third floor—only to find it barricaded with chairs and desks, blocking our way.

"There's a ladder outside the window that leads to the rooftop. There's a rooftop latch you can use to enter the third floor," Keon said through the mic.

Klaus and I exchanged a look, then moved quietly toward the window.

I opened it as gently as I could, the cold wind whipping against my face.

Throwing one leg over the ledge, I blindly searched the wall for the ladder.

When my hand finally gripped the rails, I hauled myself out and carefully climbed up.

Klaus followed soon after, and we met Cyrus on the rooftop.

He lay flat, sniper rifle trained on the streets below.

I tapped his shoulder lightly; he jumped, hand to chest in mock drama.

"You scared the living daylights out of me," he whispered, his British accent slicing through the tension.

I stifled a giggle, straightened up, and helped him stand.

"Where's the latch?"

"Right over there. I'll lift it; you drop down."

"Keon, how many guards on this floor?" I asked, nerves prickling.

Static, then Keon's voice: "Twelve. Biggest floor yet. Four guards each stationed around. Wait—my sensors pick up something else... Captives. Six people tied in a circle, guarded by four. Total of eighteen captives."

I exhaled, the weight of it pressing down. If this goes sideways, innocent lives are at stake.

I checked my gun holstered at my waist.

Fifteen bullets left.

Not bad. Reusing knives helps.

Klaus glanced over his weapons, nodded.

"Cleo, advance to the second floor and set the bomb. Cyrus will meet you there," I said.

Cyrus climbed down the ladder, disappearing into darkness.

"Got it, boss," Cleo responded before the mic went silent.

I gripped my gun tight, then jumped down, landing in a crouch.

Five seconds. That's all I had before bullets screamed toward me.

I yanked my coat over my head, using it to shield as many shots as I could.

Some went through. Guess I'm fixing this again.

Anger bubbled up with the victims' cries.

In a flash, four knives flew, each finding a guard's throat.

I grabbed my gun, shooting two more while Klaus choked the last two with ropes.

I leapt at the final group of four, smashing a gun on one's head before shooting him in the skull.

I threw his body on two others, grabbed a knife lodged in a dead guard's eyeball, and plunged it into another's cheek, slicing veins.

Before I could finish the last, a gunshot burned the right side of my body.

Pain flared—my blood boiling.

I looked down—red liquid poured from my stomach.

The last guard grinned, evil and triumphant.

Klaus closed in, delivering a roundhouse kick that sent the bastard collapsing.

"Stop! This one's mine," I yelled, pulling a needle from my boot.

Holding my wound, I crouched, biting my tongue against the pain.

"Questo è per te," I hissed (This one's for you).

I yanked his tongue out and stabbed it with the needle, injecting acid.

His tongue blackened and started falling apart instantly.

I stepped back, glancing at the captives pressed against the wall.

I raised an eyebrow at Klaus. He nodded.

He'd moved them away from danger while I dealt death.

"Xavier, eighteen captives for you to escort out," I said into the mic.

"On my way, boss."

My vision blurred; Klaus noticed, steadying me.

"Keon, Vesper needs medical attention—ASAP," Klaus spoke into the mic.

I fought his grip. "No, I'm fine," I whispered.

Klaus shook his head, disbelief etched in his face.

"You were just shot. You need to be checked. For God's sake."

I averted my eyes, trying to summon the strength to stand.

"Fucking hell," I muttered as pain seared through me.

"Stubborn little one, aren't you?" Klaus said, eyes piercing my soul.

I rolled my eyes but stopped fighting the pain as it surged.

My vision darkened.

The last thing I heard was Klaus yelling for help.

It could be worse.

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