Page 38 of Urzra

Urzra went in search of something to carry her provisions in.He found large canvas bags in the mudroom at the back of the house.Bria placed some canned goods in one, then they left the house.They broke into a few more homes during their journey and filled two bags with food and bottles of water.

“We should be safe enough here,” Urzra said when he noticed his companion was yawning.

Bria looked at the nondescript house and nodded.“It’s empty and the front door hasn’t been busted open,” she said.Some of the homes had been attacked, possibly by irate neighbors back when the Rapture had first happened.They’d only sensed scatterings of humans during the past few hours.It was easy to avoid people, thanks to their radars.

Urzra broke into the house through the back door and they filed inside.“I can smell bodies,” he warned her.

“Ugh, that’s great,” Bria complained.“I guess we’ll be sleeping downstairs tonight.”

“We can always choose another house, female,” the warrior pointed out.

Bria waved his suggestion away.“I’m too tired and I just want to sleep,” she said wearily.

“You take the couch and I’ll sleep on the floor,” he said.

“Thanks,” she said, dredging up a small smile.She’d eaten while walking, so she didn’t need to make herself a late dinner.Bria crashed on the couch without bothering to take her shoes off.

Urzra finally relaxed his tight rein of his emotions when he sensed she was asleep.Bria stirred slightly, but didn’t wake up.He sat with his back against the couch and her knees pressing lightly against his back.That small contact was enough to fill him with contentment.He dozed off, keeping his senses alert for danger.

Chapter Twenty-Six

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RAHAB WAS WORKING OUTwhen he sensed two of his soldiers perish within seconds of each other.Dropping the dumbbells, he snatched up his shirt and pulled it on.His walky-talky came to life even as he picked it up.

“Lord, something is happening near the bridge leading to Queens!”one of his men reported.“Some militants have turned against us and we’re under fire!”

“Call everyone to that location,” Rahab ordered, leaving his jacket behind as he rushed to the door.His four guards raced to catch up to him as he headed towards the area where he’d sensed his men die.

Soldiers of Chaos came running from every direction to find their own kind embroiled in a battle with humans.The mercenaries were all wearing white armbands and had gone mad.So had their squad members.Deumos was among them.His eyes were wide and he was screaming incoherently as he shot at his foes.

“What the hell’s wrong with them?”Phul asked his commander when he reached Rahab’s side.

“They’ve gone crazier than I am,” Lachial muttered, loping over to join them.

“Nah,” Vetis joked as he and his guards arrived.“No one’s crazier than you, except for your pretty offspring.”