Page 71 of Red Zone Awakened

CHAPTER28

They managedto make it all the way down the stairs without incident or argument.It was a miracle.

“Stay here,” Mace told Keiko.“Right here.”He pointed at the spot to ensure she got the message.

“Right here,” she repeated.

“I mean it.You can’t move from here.You have a habit of not doing what I tell you.I need you to actually follow orders this time.”

“When we get out of here, I’m going to explain how many things are wrong with what you just said, but right now, I’ll stand in this spot until you’re done.”

He still wasn’t convinced, and it must have shown on his face because she rolled her eyes and gave him a shove to get him going.“Go do your thing, but be safe about it.”

Mace nodded and turned away, hoping she’d do as she was told for once.

I go protect her, his bat said.

Mace snorted.You can’t protect anybody.

I am the fiercest of my species.

He’d offended the rodent.Well color him remorseful.You’re a two-inch flying rat.That’s what you are.Now get out there and cover that camera.

For my mate.Not you.

The bat separated from him with a snap.It circled Mace once, crapped on his shoulder, then flew off to cover the camera.Mace growled at his other half while, behind him, Keiko smothered a giggle.

As soon as the bat was in place, Mace blocked it from his mind and focused on his task—clearing the security hub, eliminating the security cameras, and getting out of the building before Enforcement launched its attack.

In his mind, his bat nodded in agreement.Keep mate safe.

Shut up.I have to concentrate.

He heard a huff in his head, but there was no more chitchat.

Mace crept up to the doors of the security hub and listened.He could make out the hum of high-frequency communication and the low murmur of voices.But he needed more information.He needed to know exactly how many were in that room and where they were positioned.Otherwise, going in there would be a death sentence.

Silently inching the door open, just enough for him to call through, he opened his mouth and let out a series of high-pitched echolocation pulses beyond the normal range of human hearing.The sounds spread out before him, bouncing off every object in their path.As he changed their frequency and duration, images began to form in his head.Like a grainy black-and-white photo, they didn’t show detail, but they gave him plenty of useful information.

There were five people in the room, two of them dead on the floor, as they weren’t moving which meant they weren’t breathing.Of the living, two sat in front of a wall—the security screens, he presumed.A fifth paced, carrying a large object.From its dimensions, Mace would say it was a rifle like the one he held in his hands.

He continued his echolocation until he’d mapped the entire security hub.He knew that to Keiko, it must have looked as though he was just standing, peeking into the room.She, like the people inside the room, wouldn’t have heard the sounds he’d made.No doubt she’d grill him about what he’d done later, and he’d get to share more about his freaky life.

Don’t forget to look up.The bat had obviously been monitoring Mace’s efforts.

Although the flying rodent irritated him no end, he wasn’t so arrogant he’d dismiss the advice of a sonar expert.He sent sound waves up toward the ceiling of the room too.And was glad he’d listened to the advice.There was some kind of mezzanine level, where one more person stood, presumably looking out over the room.Another guard.One he’d have missed if he hadn’t listened to his bat.And that was not something he’d ever share with it.

I’m in your head,the bat helpfully reminded him.I already know, and you’re welcome.

Mace gritted his teeth and did one final sweep of the room.Once he was sure he had it fully mapped, he took a deep, steadying breath.This was what he was built for, trained for.This was who he was.Who he’d been destined to be from birth—a cold, calm killer, just like his father.But, unlike his father, Mace wasn’t evil, despite what his grandfather said.

Armed with his gun, he exploded through the door with only one objective.

Four men.

Four shots.

Eliminate the threat.