Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series Hayley Lawson (ebook reader play store .TXT) š
- Author: Hayley Lawson
Book online Ā«Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series Hayley Lawson (ebook reader play store .TXT) šĀ». Author Hayley Lawson
He ran upstairs and flung open the fridge to get the water jug. The jug had less than a mouthful of water in it.
āLeandro, you imbecile!ā
This had been one of Leandroās favorite games since he was a teenager. Massimo had made the mistake of telling him to fill it when it was empty, so Leandro made sure it was never empty. Youād think a grown man would have gotten tired of the childish rebellion, but apparently not.
Massimo ran around his home trying to find enough water to put out the fire, and when he failed, he headed outside to the storage container.
Luckily, Leandro had kept up with that chore. He scooped out a jug of water and poured it over a rag. Then, he took the rag downstairs and patted the wet cloth on his books to extinguish the flames. It had taken him years to acquire all these books. They were the most precious thing he owned.
When the fires were out, he looked around his vault. The explosion had thrown everything into chaotic jumbles, making a dreadful mess. His failed batch of vodka was now a muddy puddle on the floor.
āFor fuckās sake! This is going to be a nightmare to clean up before Leandro gets back.ā
Leandro would bust his chops for making his liquor down here. Massimo had wanted to keep it close so he could keep an eye on it, but now, his walls were black from the fire. He pinched out the flame on the candle so he didnāt have to see it anymore.
āMassimo, are you in there?ā Kelvin called as he banged on Massimoās front door. Kelvin often visited, but there was worry in his voice today. Massimo knew something was wrong.
Massimo quickly went upstairs and opened the door. āWhat is it?ā
āThereās been a murder in Pinewood.ā
Chapter Seven
Ryder sat on the sandy bank of the river, taking stock of her situation. So far, there had been no sign of Afanaās men. Whatever Terrier had done, heād managed to stall the hunters from giving chase.
Still, Ryder knew they would come after her eventually. She had to make the most of the extra time Terrier had given her. She needed to get moving, even though she was still weak from nearly drowning.
She would have drowned if the wolf hadnāt saved her life for the second time. Either he was her guardian angel, or it was saving her for dinner.
As grateful as she was for the wolfās assistance, she wished it had deposited her on the opposite shore, away from the bunker and the bloodthirsty hunters. She was right back where she started, only weaker and with less time to escape.
Fucking awesome.
She gazed at the goddamn swamp with disdain. It sat in front of her, taunting her, saying āCome on, loser. Try your luck again.ā
There was no way around it. If she wanted to get away, she had to go through the swamp. That meant more gross water, more deadly animals she couldnāt see, and more chances for her to get swept away and drown.
Ryder got to her feet and paused at the waterās edge. After her last attempt, she was rattled and unsure of herself.
Then, she heard Sergeiās voice in her head, mocking her. Youāre right to be afraid. Youāll die in there. Stay here and let me find you. First, Iāll take your body, and then, Iāll take your head.
The thought made her shudder, but it also steeled her resolve. Sheād rather drown than let him lay his repulsive hands on her. She gritted her teeth and took the plunge, walking into the murky water.
She wished Terrier was here. He would have carried her on his back like she weighed nothing. Then again, she would never let him do that. Even with Terrier, she couldnāt and wouldnāt admit her weakness. It was harder to be strong when there was no one around to prove oneself to, though.
As she waded through the disgusting water, she decided to head for the Bora mountains once she got across. There might still be people living there if Afanaās raiders hadnāt killed them, captured them, or driven them off.
Ryder never went on those raids. The idea of ripping a child away from its parents sickened her. She would make Afana pay for that, as well as all the greasy rats who did his dirty work for him. Sheād bring final justice to everyone in the metal coffin sheād grown up in.
Walking through the swamp was taking its toll on her already exhausted body. She took a different path than before, making sure she didnāt get swept away. Still, she was tiring quickly and wished sheād packed some food.
She gulped down some water from her flask, drinking more than she should because Terrier wasnāt there to stop her. It was nice to finally quench her thirst, though she knew sheād pay for it later.
As soon as the water hit Ryderās stomach, she felt the effects of it. She had a little buzz and felt calmer and stronger. She also felt the need for more.
Leandro watched the girl as she walked through the marsh. She was breathtaking, even if she was disguised as a boy.
He scanned the landscape and sniffed the air, but he couldnāt see or smell anyone coming after her. If they did, he would attack. In the meantime, he crept slowly after her and eyed her curiously.
Why is she going in that direction?
She was heading toward the mountains. Heād been through those mountains before, searching for answers. The humans and wolves that lived there werenāt nice to one another, and they hunted anything that crossed their paths.
He suspected they wouldnāt treat him well, and the mysterious woman would probably fare no better. Because of this, Leandro crept closer, but he stayed far enough away to remain out of sight.
If sheād gone in the other direction, it would have been so much easier. It would
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