DeathMarked by AJ Eversley

Author:AJ Eversley [Eversley, A J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AJ Eversley

JAYLA

“Think he’ll be ready?” I asked to no one in particular.

Simon, Em, and I had just left another meeting with Gustov. He was securing every shuttle in Cytos he could, but I still wasn’t sure about him. We had less than three weeks before we were certain one of Governor Grayson’s transports would have to leave for the Void to deliver supplies, but we still needed enough shuttles to get everyone out safely.

“Yes,” Simon said, nodding. “He’s a proud man, and an ambitious one at that, so he’ll make sure we get what we want, so he can get what he wants.”

“He’s scum,” Em said. “Profiting off people already at the end of their rope.” I had taken Em with us this time to send a message to Gustov. Despite his sincere words, I wasn’t taking any chances, and I wasn’t about to blindly trust him.

Em had been keen on meeting Gustov when we’d explained his role within Cytos. Gustov had set up a circle of power within the streets to the North, one of the poorer areas of Cytos, where those who lived there often went unnoticed. The residents paid him taxes to keep them off the streets, fed, and unharmed. Most were junkies, too high to realize their money was going to a crook. Others had debts to pay or secrets to hide; Gustov provided a safe place to do as they pleased under his protection.

“Don’t they realize he’s just tying the noose for them? A day will come when they can’t pay and then what? Who will help them then?” Em continued.

“These people are junkies, gamblers, and filth. Why do you care what happens to them, anyways?” Simon asked.

“Because it’s my job,” Em snarled. “Unlike you, I don’t turn my back on those in need. I don’t run away from anyone no matter what kind of scum they may be… yourself included.”

“A kindness you thrill at rubbing in my face any chance you get. Very heroic of you,” Simon drawled.

“And you,” Em said, turning a cold eye to me, ignoring Simon’s quip. “You want to give him more? Give him the city?”

“He’ll take it with or without our help, Em,” I said. “This way we get a chance to set some rules before handing him the keys.”

“They don’t realize that what they are living in is no better than those kids in the DEZ. It’s a larger prison, but they’re bound to him with or without a contract,” Em said.

I nodded. They were basically selling their souls to the devil for a little freedom and feigned safety, but what would happen to Gustov and his men now that Wallace was no longer watching out for them? What would happen to the citizens of the North when Grayson found out?

“Doesn’t matter now, this city will be in chaos soon enough,” Simon said, a few steps behind us, as we turned another corner.

The sun was still waking up. Grey, orange, and pink shimmered across the mist-covered grass in front of tall buildings.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.