Page 28 of Urzra

The low hum of static came through the speakers as he resumed perusing the maps.Once night fell, Urzra folded up a map of Manhattan and shoved it into his pocket.He left the building and loped through the streets towards the closest bridge.Humans wearing white armbands were stationed on the far side of the bridge.One side of the structure had been cleared of clogged traffic.The other side was slowly being cleared from what he could tell.

Urzra was about to sprint past the militants when he sensed four of his foes.He backed up before they could detect him and waited to see if they would give chase.The soldiers seemed to be on patrol and moved out of his range.

“I’m definitely stronger this time,” he murmured, glad his skills had been given a boost.His senses would help keep him alive as he performed his reconnaissance of the city.

He zoomed past the humans before they could register his presence and deftly avoided the soldiers who were on patrol.Just as he’d planned, Urzra headed to Central Park.It looked magical all lit up against the darkness of the buildings that surrounded it.Lights were on in only a few of the towering structures.Most seemed to be empty.

Urzra hid in the shadows of some trees away from the lighted pathways.He’d intended to head to the tallest building next, but was having second thoughts.There were far too many soldiers moving around in packs of four or five.They weren’t actively searching for him, but they knew he’d arrived two nights ago.

A group of humans on patrol were strolling towards him.They were wearing camouflage gear beneath their white armbands.They stopped and looked around to make sure no one was close enough to listen to their conversation.

“Is everything all set for tomorrow?”one of the men whispered.He had ginger hair and an unruly beard.

“Yes, sir,” another man replied, saluting him.“The target will be lured into position and the shooter will be waiting for him.It should all go smoothly.”

“You’ll have an alibi if anything goes wrong, Mr.Lawson,” another man said.“But I’m sure our plan will work perfectly.”

“It had better,” Mr.Lawson said darkly.“I want that creature gone from the Empire State Building.He has no place in our new world order.”

“I can’t believe they let him talk over the radio every day,” another male wearing camouflage said in disbelief.“You’ll be taking over his job soon, sir.”

Mr.Lawson chuckled with quiet glee.“Governor Giamano already trusts me.He has no idea I aim to take his position from him as soon as we get rid of his freakish guards with red eyes.”

The group moved on and Urzra filed the information away.They were talking about assassinating Xathan from what he’d just gathered.Then they intended to try to take Rahab and his squad down.Smirking at that unlikelihood, the knight decided to head back to his base.He would wait to see whether it would be Xathan speaking over the radio, or if someone else would be giving the next broadcast.

Urzra made it back to Bronxville without mishap and locked himself in the apartment again.He stared out through the window, thinking about Bria.He wondered if she was happy now that she had her wish and she was all alone again.

Chapter Twenty

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BRIA WAS MISERABLE.She’d cried for half an hour after Urzra had left, overwhelmed with guilt for hurting him.It had torn her heart open when he’d told her she should have let the sharks take him.Their link was so faint she couldn’t even feel him now.She was alone just like she wanted, but she’d hurt a good man who didn’t deserve it in the process.

She pulled herself together and found some tissues in the bathroom.Her eyes were red and swollen and she looked terrible.“How can he even want me?”she asked incredulously.Her dark blonde hair was half falling out of the ponytail and dirt streaked her face.Her t-shirt was covered in blood and she’d had to tear it open to let Urzra treat her wound.

Letting out a watery sigh, she tossed the tissues into the trash can in the corner of the bathroom.She headed to the kitchen and found bottles of water in the pantry.Chugging some down, she wet a washcloth she found in the linen cupboard and washed her face, hands, arms and torso.She redid her hair so it was tidy again as well.