22. Ember #3
THUD.
Bile creeps up my throat at the soft squelch of metal carving flesh. Axel recoils, a scream tearing from his throat as the blade lodges in his shoulder. His knees crack against the dusty floor as he’s carried down in a heap.
“Axel!” I shift to intervene.
A gunshot cracks behind me, making me freeze when the room’s tension detonates. Gunnar seems to anticipate the response, folding himself in half to duck before propelling himself forward to avoid the incoming shot.
Warner charges faster than I’ve ever seen him move, colliding hard with The Hunter to send them both hurtling downward. The men grapple in a heap of muscle, trading fists and attempting to overpower the other.
“Help Axel,” I yell at Hyland.
“Ember! No!”
He can’t stop me from diving into the mix in an effort to separate Warner and Gunnar. Trying to grab hold of Gunnar is like wrestling a coiled viper, bucking and twisting with incredible skill. He’s so fast, locking his arms around Warner’s neck to catch him in a chokehold.
I leap onto his back, driving a fist into the side of his head. The Hunter barely even flinches. I’ve managed to clock him in the nose when his head slams back to collide with mine, causing stars to burst behind my eyes.
My body goes limp, toppling off Gunnar’s back to land in a heap. I breathe through the pain, the cobwebbed ceiling a warbling riot high above me for several stomach-turning seconds.
CRACK.
Another gunshot blasts my eardrums. The explosion precedes a loud thud. I watch Gunnar catapult backwards onto the floor, freeing Warner. To my right, a Sabre-issued pistol is clutched in a badly trembling, blood-slick hand.
Axel barely stands upright, the knife now removed his shoulder, leaving a ragged, bloody mess behind. He pays the wound no attention while keeping the gun cocked straight ahead.
“Are you okay?” His crazed eyes dart to me.
Gasping, I wrench myself upright on the floor. “You just shot your brother!”
“Bulletproof vest,” a voice wheezes.
The Hunter is spreadeagled, conscious and biting back his own agonised groan. I watch Axel limp forward, the barrel of his gun pointed at his twin, ensuring he doesn’t launch a fresh attack.
“Next bullet goes in your forehead,” Axel warns in a tight voice. “Do not move.”
“Congrats, brother.” Gunnar groans in pain. “Nice aim.”
“I didn’t want to kill you.”
“Then you’re a fool.”
“A fool who can end your life in a heartbeat,” he retorts. “Now we have a job for you to do, and it’s urgent. Are you going to behave and negotiate like a sane human being?”
Tugging at his damaged bulletproof vest, Gunnar casts a critical eye around the room. Beyond Axel, Raye and Spyder who still have weapons directed at him, Hyland looks like he’s itching to break his skull, and even Blaine appears ready to call this whole thing off.
“You have nothing that I want,” Gunnar scoffs.
“Me.”
Axel’s offer causes multiple shouts to break out. I’ve barely found my feet with Warner’s help, yet I’m ready to smack the moron myself, even if he is keeping our assailant at bay.
“Stop!” I hurl at Axel.
He cuts me a look. “This is my deal to strike, Em.”
“No! You’re not thinking straight!”
“Gunnar wants to settle what he believes to be an old score? Fine. He’s welcome to try. But not until we’ve located and rescued Gracie Livingstone.”
“You’re willingly surrendering to me?” Gunnar guffaws.
“I’m offering the opportunity to settle this between us once the job is done.” Axel engages the safety on his pistol then shakily tucks it away. “Nobody else has to be involved. This is our fight.”
“Axel.” Warner tries to reach for him. “No.”
“Stay out of this. I made this mess, so I’ll be the one to clear it up.”
“He wants to kill you!” Hyland’s eyes are wide as saucers.
“Then he’s welcome to give it his best shot.” Axel eyes his smiling twin. “I’ve already explained myself. If he doesn’t want to listen, then we’ll deal with this the old-fashioned way.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. More worryingly, I’m astonished to see Gunnar stand up then reach out a palm towards his brother. Their hands lock, sealing the agreement in fresh blood.
“This is insane.” I shake my head in disbelief.
At my side, Warner gawps at the scene. “He can’t go through with this.”
“Should’ve thought of that before you alienated him. Now he’s willing to sacrifice his life to make amends.”
Standing side by side, the way both twins even move similarly is disconcerting. If it wasn’t for their hair and differing tattoo coverage, I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart at all. It only makes the deal they’re signing off even more sickening.
“Perhaps you’re not as cowardly as I thought.” Gunnar grins broadly.
Axel drops his hand like he’s been scalded. “Ever consider that you don’t know me well?”
“I know enough. If this is your offer, then I accept the terms.”
“Good.” Axel nods decisively. “Help us to rescue Gracie.”
“There’s no need.”
Axel cringes as he lifts a hand to put pressure on his oozing shoulder wound. “What does that mean?”
My heart lurches into my mouth, already bone-dry from watching their little pact take shape. We all wait on tenterhooks for Gunnar’s answer. He simply shrugs, barely casting us a second glance.
“I’ve already found her.”
“Where?” Blaine demands.
Gunnar ducks to pick his red-stained hunting knife off the floor where it was discarded. He doesn’t even blink while wiping it off on his vest and re-sheathing it.
“Estonia. She was purchased by an international buyer.”
I step into The Hunter’s line of sight. “Who?”
The glance he casts over me is contemplative, scrutinising. Full of professional curiosity. I can’t decide if it makes my skin crawl or fills me with pride that he sees me as a threat at all.
Yet his next words kill my brief thrill.
“Nolan Madden.”