Page 47

Chief Styles Sawyer

Zorion

The chopper ride was silent.

Jo’s team continued to swap uneasy glances between the four assassins and the ten cloaked disciples surrounding them.

Lion and Omega were draped in flowing black, their oversized hoods concealing their faces. Their presence alone was probably enough to unnerve Jo’s team.

He and Valor mirrored Lion and Omega’s stillness—clad in lightweight and bulletproof deep-green armored suits that would allow them to blend into the forest they’d attack from.

Jo nodded to Sable, their weapons specialist, as she stood and pulled a large black case from behind her seat.

Sable smiled, raising the brow with the scar splitting the center.

“Zorion, I present to you my pride and joy. I’ve been working on it the entire time you’ve been training at the Order.”

Sable pressed several numbers into the electronic keypad before the locks disengaged and the lid opened.

“May I present the Green Raptor.”

She paused.

“Get it?” She stared at Zorion’s hood that shielded his eyes. “Green because you’re the Greens, and raptor because of your hawk.”

She paused again, but when Zorion didn’t move, she rolled her eyes and slid it into his hands.

“Just explain the weapon.”

Jo sighed.

“This is a compound bow, complete with reinforced limbs, custom-molded grip—”

“This isn’t a longbow,” Zorion muttered, turning the weapon over. “It’s mechanical.”

Sable crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah, well, your longbow was great for shooting still targets made of wood and straw. But the last time I checked, criminals shoot back with semiautomatic weapons.”

Zorion glanced at her, his gaze narrowing as he tested the bowstring. It had a smooth draw, far lighter than he expected, but something about the power behind it sent a chill down his spine.

Sable tapped the side of the bow.

“This beauty was tailor-made for you. Stronger shots, greater range, and way more precision. And the best part?” She walked over to a steel table and flipped open a case, revealing rows of black arrows. “These.”

She picked one up and twirled it between her fingers before tossing it to him.

Zorion caught it effortlessly, inspecting the tip.

“Specialized arrows,” she explained. “You’ve got the standard kill shots, but then there are arrows like the ones for today’s job. Heavy machinery control, flashbangs, poison arrows, tasers, suspension retractors. I got you covered.”

Zorion traced the shaft of an arrow with a sleek silver tip as his heart began to pound faster. Valor must’ve heard the increase because he turned in his direction.

“I have more, but I’ll give you the full tutorial on another day, when there’s time. And your quiver has a cross-body harness and an internal rotating compartment that’ll hold more than enough ammunition for a single battle.”

Zorion tested the bowstring again, this time giving a small nod of approval.

“You still missing your longbow?” She grinned smugly.

“No,” he had to admit. Then glanced up at her. “Well done.”

Valor leaned into Zorion’s throat as if to inhale him, but Lion’s sharp tone stopped him midway.

“Now is not the time for that,” Lion growled. “Shift your mind to war…and as far away from love as possible so you remain focused on the fight.”