Page 229 of The Lost Ones

A thud behind me has me spinning on my heel along with Kysen and Kai, I assess the scene in seconds and it still doesn’t make much sense. Just behind where Kysen was stood before he turned is the crumpled body of a large guard, he has a dagger in the middle of his dark green forehead. I watch in shock as Sage makes short work of decapitating the guard and then turns to us.

“What?”

“You just saved my life.” Kysen says in shock, his eyes wide.

Chapter Twenty

“Of course.” She replies.

“Why is it so fucking hot when she kills something?” Kai asks me and I shrug. I honestly have no idea but he is right.

“How did you even know he was there?” Kysen asks. “He was right behind me and I didn’t hear a thing.”

“I sensed him I guess is the best way to describe it. I was worried my senses might be dulling but apparently not. At least living with the step bitch had some sort positive effect.”

“Thank you Sage.” Kysen says and hugs her.

She chuckles and holds her bloodied sword out to the side so she does stab him or cover him in blood.

“You would’ve done the same for me.” She says when he steps back before she changes the subject. “How are we going to get in? There are guards and lookouts everywhere.”

“I’m not sure. Let’s get the others and see if they found anything helpful first.” I suggest.

“Guys head back to where we first split up.”Kai sends through the bond.

“Alright see you ten.”Jax replies.

“They are going to be so bummed when they realise they missed seeing Sage go all badass.” Kai adds out loud and Sage rolls her eyes but can’t quite hide her pleased smile.

We make it back in no time at all making sure that we stick to the shadows as much as possible. We have a couple of close calls with the guards on the way but no where near as close as it was with Kysen which means nobody dies.

“How’d you guys get on?” I ask as we make it back to the meeting point and see the others already waiting for us.

“Not great. There are guards practically crawling all over the place some of them literally. It looked really freaky.” Jax shudders.

“We didn’t see any sort of sign we could easily get in. What about you guys?” Hunt asks.

“Sage killed a guy.” Kai says casually and the guys turn to look at Sagenot really in shock since we all know exactly what she’s capable of it’s more in question.

“He was going to kill Kysen so I killed him first.” She says casually.

Kysen watches her curiously, he’s seen her kill before but it was in a high pressure situation and we were all under attack so we were defending ourselves in a kill or be killed situation. That’s an entirely different kind of situation. She had to stalk Kysen’s attacker and kill him without hesitation.

Her brutality is pretty damn impressive. Although I know it’s because of her supernatural side that makes her more brutal than humans I think her upbringing and the torment she experienced when she was kidnapped from her parents has helped to shape that brutality.

“Good job, Titch.” Maverick says proudly. “So I take it that means that they are just as tight with security on that side too?”

“Oh yeah, they killed someone trying to approach and it was done so efficiently we had no chance to help.” I tell them.

“They don’t seem to be using magic in anyway to help them secure the premises. Apart from their own supernatural skills, that means that they are incredibly confident in the skills of the guards.” Kysen says thoughtfully.

“Which might work in our favour if we can find a weak point in their defences.” I add.

“That’s the problem though. We can’t get close enough in order to find a weak point. Let alone locate the Centre’s and seeing how were going to get them out. We’ve literally stumbled at the first hurdle.” Hunt points out, picking his nails with one of his knives.

Loud cawing from Ghost as he hops around on the floor in front of Sage distracts us momentarily from the conversation that seems to be heading nowhere. Ghost continues cawing loudly at Sage and headbutting her legs until she slowly crouches down in front of him. The bird is so damn big that it puts him at eye level with her.

I watch curiously with the others as he looks at Knot who nods once and then gently rests his head against Sage’s, grey magic with flecks of purple like Sage’s swirls in the air, it wraps around Sage and Ghost. There’s no visible effect and after a minute or two Ghost pulls back and launches himself into the air, turning into almost glittery smoke and mist as he goes.