Page 66 of Jude

Chapter 14

Jude ducked the pulselaser fire, rolling on the floor and back onto his feet. He punched the first guard who reached him, sending him reeling backwards. The next was more cautious. He kept his weapon trained on Jude but didn’t get too close.

“Lower your gun,” said the guard.

“Go to hell,” said Jude.

“Don’t do it,” yelled Octavia. She shoved the unconscious commander off her and stepped toward Jude.

Jude looked at her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. You shouldn’t have come.”

“I couldn’t leave you here.” Jude’s gaze ran over her. He could see she was injured, her face was puffy and bruised, and she was clutching her arm. Her beautiful hair was also gone. What the hell had they done to her?

“Lower your weapon,” said the guard. “I will shoot you.”

A second guard emerged from the shadows. “Or we’ll shoot her.” He trained his weapon toward Octavia. “Is she worth dying for?”

Jude let out a slow breath and lowered his pulse laser. Of course she was. He couldn’t imagine his life without Octavia in it.

“Hands behind your back,” said the first guard. “Try anything, and we’ll shoot you both.” He inclined his head at his colleague. “Go check on the commander.”

The other guard approached Commander West’s body. His gaze flicked to Octavia. “Give me an excuse to shoot you. I’ll be happy to oblige.”

Octavia grimaced but kept her attention on Jude, watching as his hands were tied.

“It will be okay.” Jude was focused only on Octavia. His joy at seeing her alive was mingled with rage. He wanted to bring this place down as revenge for risking her life.

The guard checking on the commander smirked. “It won’t be okay for either of you.”

“How’s the commander doing?” asked the other guard.

“He’s breathing. It’s not a serious injury. I’ll get him to medical.”

The commander groaned, and his eyes flickered open. They narrowed as he saw Octavia.

“Sir, can I help you?” asked the guard by his side.

“Help me up.” Commander West stood slowly and shook out his arms, wincing as he did so.

“You’ve been shot. You need to get to medical.”

“That can wait. I have other priorities.” His gaze drifted down Octavia before shifting to Jude. “I see we have another criminal.”

Jude glowered at him. “We are not the criminals here.”

“You’ve broken into a secure State facility and aided a prisoner in an escape attempt,” said Commander West. “You also tried to kill me. All of that is criminal activity.”

Jude twisted in the guard’s grip, longing to slam a fist into the man’s smug face. “We’ve done nothing wrong.”

Commander West gestured to the guard. “Bring the traitor closer.”

The guard yanked Jude nearer until he could smell the sourness on his breath.

“You Ember brothers are all the same. Fighting for a cause you cannot win.”

“We are winning,” said Jude. “Have you checked the comms feed?”