The Tide: Iron Wind (Tide Series Book 5) by Anthony J Melchiorri

Author:Anthony J Melchiorri [Melchiorri, Anthony J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction thriller
Publisher: Anthony J Melchiorri
Published: 2017-02-12T06:00:00+00:00

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The shrouded body sank with a gurgle of bubbles in muddy water. Meredith watched Renee disappear into the Congo River. The Hunters stood at the stern of the ferry as the sweltering afternoon heat burned off the last wisps of humid fog. This wasn’t a proper burial at sea, but they’d had little choice. A body would decompose quickly in this heat. This was the best they could do for her now.

“The world should know the sacrifices she made,” Meredith said.

“Wish we could tell everyone there’s someone fighting for them,” Dom said. “It’s not a matter of personal pride or ego. Renee never wanted a medal or anything. She just wanted to do good and help people. But it stings that she died in disgrace, that people out there think we’re traitors. The army, the CIA, whoever the hell is out there pulling all these strings—they’ve got a lot to answer for.”

Miguel joined them, offering a bleak smile. “That’s what’ll make kicking their asses all that much sweeter, Chief.”

“Yes,” Andris said, his gaze frozen on the spot where Renee had slipped beneath the surface. “I will enjoy watching the fear in their eyes before I pull the trigger.”

A Skull loped along the shore, screaming. Several more joined it. But the ferry chugged onward, leaving the beasts tangled in the roots and foliage. At least the jungle hampered the Skulls as much as it did the Hunters. Meredith thought about the trails she’d loved to hike back home. How much longer until nature, ever hungry, reclaimed the parks, the suburbs, even the cities?

She leaned over the railing. The wake of the ferry lapped against the shore. Even if they survived this madness, even if they stopped the Oni Agent, what then? What if it was already too late for man to take back the world?

Jenna was by Glenn, their heads bowed in silence. Miguel’s forced good cheer had faded, and he stood in tense, gloomy silence. Andris had ducked back into the pilothouse to join Terrence. She had started to think of these people as friends, maybe even family, but it seemed they didn’t feel quite the same way. The bonds formed between them had developed over years, and there was nothing she could do to make up for that.

She stood next to Dom. Wind whipped across them both, kicking up the short wisps of dirty-blond hair he’d let grow in. Dark smears covered his face—dirt he’d never had the time or water to spare to clean off. He said nothing to acknowledge her presence, but soon she felt his rough, calloused fingers intertwine with hers. Even if everything else went to shit around them, she prayed that they would at least have each other.

“Maybe this is the wrong time,” Meredith started, “but what happens after all this is over?”

“We rebuild,” Dom said.

“No, I mean us. Am I with you just because we’re fighting the Oni Agent together? Just because of circumstance?”

Dom brushed a finger along the railing, and his eyes traced over the dark water below.

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