Hectic by Athena Franco

Author:Athena Franco [Franco, Athena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-30T16:00:00+00:00

21 Hectic

“What the hell?” I kept my voice low, but I couldn’t hide my anger. This case was getting more and more fucked up by the minute.

“I think,” Hazel said. “Her son is a PN, and to her, it’s an abomination. Geum says she’s taking Ben to a facility to ‘cure’ him. She used the term ‘All-Knowing Begetter.’”

“An anti-PN religion?” Lucie asked.

“Not sure. She’s also got a suitcase full of cash like an old time drug deal.”

“We can get the details from her later.” I eyed the table, watching for signs of movement. “Question is, what do we do now?”

“Forthwright wants us to hold position.” Lucie’s tone made it obvious what she thought about the order.

I ground my teeth. On the one hand, the mission was paramount. There was a lot at stake, and this might be our only connection to the Patron.

On the other, I wasn’t about to let some poor kid walk out of here in the hands of a known trafficker.

“I’m not letting her take him,” I muttered.

“Let’s tail them to Geum’s vehicle,” Lucie said. “We can— Wait. Something’s wrong.”

As I watched, Geum shot to her feet, expression livid. Her eyes swept the room.

Landed on me.

“We’re blown.” I got to my feet, not bothering to look away. It was obvious Geum knew what I was there for. “Lucie, tail it.”

“Understood.”

“Hazel, get the kid if you can.”

“On it. I—“

Her words cut off as an explosion rocked the lounge.

It centered from the bar, the blast shoving the stools and the patrons seated on them down to the floor. Bottles shattered, glassware splintered. The mirror cracked and burst. Shards of broken glass sprayed the room. Liquor rained down, soaking the room like rain.

Chaos erupted. Panicked, the crowd fled in all directions. Some headed for the exits, others to the bar to try and help. People screamed, cried, shouted for order, for help, for god. Runners tripped over heels, over fallen furniture, trampled each other underfoot. The air reeked of booze and smoke.

“What the hell was that?” Lucie demanded.

“Explosion.” My ears rang, the sound loud and high pitched.

“Geum’s using it to escape,” Hazel said, words rushed. “I’ll try to get to the kid.”

“It’s too perfect,” said Lucie. “She must’ve had eyes on us.”

I turned in time to see a skinny man in a deep purple suit make his way calmly through the confusion. The two of us locked eyes before he broke into a run.

“It’s the musician!” I ported into the open air above him, brought him down to the floor. “Special arr—”

My words cut off as piano man’s arms stretched out, each as long and thin as a whip. They wrapped around me like living ropes, cinching my arms to my sides. He lifted me up off the floor, his expression livid.

I screamed as he tightened his hold, my ribs threatening to cave, my lungs struggling to draw enough air.

Clenching my teeth, I ported out of his hold, reappeared on the ground. I kicked out, the heel of my boot caught him square on the nose.

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