The Skin Hunter Series by Tania Hutley

Author:Tania Hutley [Hutley, Tania]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Cale calls Ma to arrange for her to meet us outside her factory that evening, just after seven o’clock when her day shift ends. While we wait for her to finish work, I study the factory. It’s where the Skins are being made, and the Fist’s explosives are already planted inside. There’s a main entrance where the grunts go in and out, and a roller door for deliveries. Both doors are guarded by stompers rather than knights, which is one good thing. Still, what I’ve decided to do isn’t going to be easy.

When Ma sees me, she grabs me in a bear hug with a cry of relief. “You’re okay, love?” Her voice is thick with tears and she hugs me so tightly I can feel her bones poking out under her thick layers of clothing. “You have a new eye? I thought so, but my holo app’s barely working, so I couldn’t tell for sure. Oh it’s good to see you. Are you safe? Are they still looking for you? You’re much too thin.”

“I’m too thin?” I protest. “You feel like you haven’t eaten in a year.”

Her arms might be skinny, but hard work has made her strong. It takes me a while to prise free from her grip so I can introduce her to Cale. Then we head to a dark side alley where we can talk without attracting attention.

“You’re okay, Milla?” she demands again. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

“I’m fine. See?” In spite of the threat of being identified by any street cameras the Fist might not have knocked out, I tug my bandanna down so she can see my face. I can’t get over how old Ma looks. Her hair is gray and lank, and her face is etched with lines of worry and strain.

“What happened to you? Why did they tell me you were dead? And now they’re saying you killed someone?”

I hitch the bandanna back into place. “I didn’t kill anyone. But I’ll have to explain when we have more time. Ma, I came to ask you for something.”

“Anything, love.”

“You know The Fist are going to blow up your factory tonight?”

“I heard. That’s why I’m not working the night shift.” Then she frowns. “You haven’t joined the Fist, have you? Not that I don’t appreciate what they’re trying to do, but you’re in enough danger already.”

“I’m not working with them. Not really.” I glance guiltily at Cale, because as it turns out, that’s exactly what I’m doing. “I’m just trying to find William.”

Her brow smooths, and she gives me a smile so filled with hope that it makes my heart ache. “I know you will. You’ll find him. You’ll keep him safe.”

I exchange another glance with Cale. His lips are tight and his expression pained. I dragged him into my plan while we were waiting for Ma to finish her shift, and just as I expected, he didn’t like it one bit. He agreed to call Gareth and Tori for me so I

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