Page 5 of Resolve
Logic urges me to draw a small breath, but my body takes over in survival mode. I wheeze, gathering air back into my lungs in a wasteful but necessary catch-up, then take another deep breath.
The air bubble shrinks closer to my face.
However Jackson managed to do this, I need to make it count.
Drawing all the metal to each of my hands, I let it fall free until there’s nothing left. No whip sword. No metal jewelry. No metal plate full of bullets.
But I don’t stop there.
I wince at the excruciating pain in my back and side as I unbuttonmy jacket, then methodically strip it from each arm. I don’t squander air and energy trying to rush it off. Next is my shirt, shoes, and pants, lightening my weight as much as possible before I begin my struggle to the surface.
I’m compelled to take another breath, then watch the tiny bubble of hope dwindle further.
I’m far from the surface, but being pulled down gave me a hint of direction, so I stroke and kick as fast as I can. There’s no light around me. No sight or sound to tell me if I’m getting close.
Just endless sea.
Chapter three
Kellan
Theagent’snecksnapswith a sharp twist, and he crumples to the ground. When I turn around, another three are running toward us, adding to the three still fighting.
Where the hell are they coming from?
I’d thought bringing Dane down to the beach would help divide their forces, but I must have miscounted. Every agent who shows up is one more obstacle between me and Dane should Charles appear.
To make matters worse, my gift is running out. I can feel the strength thinning with every blow. And attacks that would normally slide over scales now land with full force. I may have gotten the hang of activating it, but holding onto it for extended periods of time is still a work in progress.
I check on Dane, who’s holding his own against an agent. “Get on my back!” I shout, punching the agent trying to attack him from behind and then shoving his face into my knee.
Dane throws his fist at the agent, knocking him back and then following up with another blow that drops him to the ground. “Fuck off!” he growls, kneeing the agent on the ground and layinginto him.
I lock my arm and clothesline the next agent, then stomp my foot on his chest to keep him down. “Charles could show up to grab you any second.”
He leans back on his heels, panting. “Any of these fuckers have guns on them? I’ll stay close, but I’m not going to be a backpack.”
The approaching agents surround us before we get a chance to check. Dane shoves himself to his feet, fists up.
And then I hear her voice.
Herscream.
I whip around, frantically searching for her even as the agents start their attacks. The world around me sharpens as my fading gift resurges with a vengeance. I can feel the pull of scales covering the backs of my arms when I clench my hands. The newfound strength thrumming through me. A burning scent fills the air, and something about it has alarm bells ringing in my head.
Protect.The instinct roars through me, demanding action. I barely feel the strikes from the agents surrounding me. Flies to a dragon who aren’t worth my attention when my girl’s in danger.
A blast of power rocks the beach, sweeping over us. I brace myself through it, positioning my arms in front of me and widening my stance as Dane and the GE agents are knocked to the ground.
The headland collapses beneath her and Charles.
“Rae!” Dane yells, then grunts at my side.
I grab the agent trying to grapple with Dane by the face. He shrieks with pain before I throw him to the side, then reach for the next nearest agent and slam my scaled knuckles into his jaw, causing a loudcrack. Another agent tries to run, but I fist his hair and drag him back, snapping his neck.
Dane’s already racing to where Raegan and Charles are falling. I catch up to him in a few running strides before Reid appears in our way.
“Move!” I snarl, raising my arm to swipe him to the side.
