“Heading to Michael. He’s got Kallie on his back, she fell and her ankle is sprained. We need togo.” Salem looked back the way he had come. “There’s no need for quiet now, all Drakhyn in the compound will be heading to us.”
“I agree.” Tegan looked at her Commander. “You ready?”
“I’m right behind you.”
“No, you go, I’ll guard the rear.”
Bryce went to argue, but he knew with his injuries, she was right. With a glance at his two Elites, Salem turned and began to run back up the corridor, hoping against hope that Sloane and Kallie were okay.
* * *
Sloane pushed the pantry door open cautiously. Edging in slowly, he stared at the room in horror.
“Holy Harrian.” His whisper was loud in the empty room.
Kallie slipped down his back, wincing as she landed on her ankle, but as she limped around his side, her grip on Sloane’s arm tightened.
“There’s so much blood,” she wondered aloud.
“Too much blood.” Sloane ran a hand over his hair. “By the Ancients, do you think it’s all from one Akrhyn?”
“We need to get out of here,” Kallie said as she looked to the doorway. “Help whoever it was on the upper level.” Her voice lowered as she squeezed Sloane’s arm reassuringly. “It may be Michael.”
“Get back on my back,” Sloane directed, eager to leave the room. “We need to move fast.”
“You could leave me here,” Kallie argued softly. “Whoeverwashere, this room isn’t being used now. Leave me here and come back for me.” She looked around and up at the vent she had gone through before. “Put me back up there. I can hide in the vents, and you can aid the Principal.”
“I’m not leaving you, Kallie,” Sloane growled as he took a step towards her.
“Sloane, it’s the best idea.” She smiled briefly at him. “Come on, big guy, throw me up there.” She raised her hand swiftly. “You know I am right.”
“Donotmove. You stay there, and don’t come down until I come for you.”
“I will.” She nodded as she swallowed against her rising uncertainty.
“If you were fit, you would be with me,” Sloane told her. “You know I don’t like this.”
“Just get me up there, and don’t forget to come back for me.” Kallie gave him a grim smile as Sloane placed his hands on her waist. Effortlessly he lifted her, and she reached up for the vent. Pulling herself up, she felt his hands on her leg, steadying her. It was almost embarrassing how easily he lifted her.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Kallie heard the whispered promise, but by the time she was situated in the vent, he was gone. Knowing it was for the best, she inched slowly along the vent, hoping to hide her scent. However, given the amount of blood on the pantry floor, she knew the Drakhyn would struggle to decipher her own scent.
Sloane raced through the halls recklessly. There had been so much blood. What if it was Michael’s? He ran faster when he heard the footsteps running down the stairwell. He saw Salem, Tegan and Bryce running down and four Drakhyn runningupto meet them. Sloane ran faster, his cry alerting the Drakhyn to his approach. One hung back to deal with him, and soon all four Akrhyn were engaged in battle. Tegan and Salem both protected Bryce, but even with only one arm working and being injured, Bryce was fighting with a ferocity that many fully abled Sentinels did not achieve.
Salem’s strike to the Drakhyn had its head toppling off its shoulders. Looking up, he watched Tegan wipe her blade on the body of the fallen Drakhyn. She gave him a tight nod in recognition as she glanced over his shoulder to look at Sloane who was stepping over the dead Drakhyn. He took the steps two at a time before he crushed her to him.
“By Brindlelay’s grace, cousin, you are a welcome sight.”
“As are you, cousin.” Tegan held him close.
“Where is Cord?” Sloane asked desperately. “Is there anyone else with you?”
“Where is Kallie?” Salem asked quickly. “We need to move; we are too exposed.”
“We can go back for Kallie.” Sloane nodded as he turned. The four of them started down the stairs when they all suddenly stopped. The throng of Drakhyn emerging from both halls to the foyer was daunting. “Or we can do this first.” Sloane looked over the sheer number of Drakhyn. “How did we miss them all?” he whispered urgently to Salem.
“I don’t think we did,” Salem replied grimly. “I think they just got here.”