Half Lost (The Half Bad Trilogy #3) - Sally Green Page 0,19
see it like that. She knows that things will always be changing and moving is part of her job.
I drop to the back and then stop and listen for Hunters. It would be like them to attack while we’re vulnerable, concentrating on other things. But I hear nothing. I put my load down and run back to check along my trail for a few minutes. I know Greatorex has had her people check and recheck it too, but it can’t do any harm to have a final look.
Nothing.
I retrieve my load and catch up with the group as they disappear through the cut. Greatorex waits until we’re all through and goes last. Few people can make cuts. Only one person can do it for the Alliance now. Marcus had the ability but I’ve no idea how to access that Gift. Anyway, closing cuts doesn’t require a Gift or even any magic, just a small explosion.
When we’re through, Greatorex unpins a hand grenade and Gabriel and I hold her left arm as she slides her right hand and the grenade into the cut. The cut pulls her but we dig our heels in and pull her back as she lets the grenade slide out of her hand. It will explode when it’s still inside the cut; within a few seconds the cut loses its magic and fades to nothing.
We check and the cut is gone.
* * *
Within hours the new Camp Three is set up and everything is organized and as if we’ve been here for days. Greatorex and Celia had the location already decided. Greatorex is professional and calm but I can sense the trainees are on edge and, unlike her, they seem to blame me. It’s something about the way they huddle together and sneak looks at me. Greatorex senses it too, I think. She keeps them busy with chores: setting up tents, scouting the surrounding area, cooking. Then in the late afternoon she decides on a bit of training: fighting.
Me and Gabriel watch the hand-to-hand fighting class. Donna is watching too, sitting opposite us, her hands still zip-tied together.
Greatorex takes a break and comes to stand with us to view her pupils. I ask her, “What’s happening with Donna?”
“She says she wants to join the Alliance but, since BB, Celia’s given strict instructions that anyone wanting to join has to be questioned under a truth potion.”
“And what are the results?”
“We don’t have any potion. I’ve sent word back to Camp One that we need some, but until then she’s a prisoner.”
“But what does your gut instinct tell you? Is she genuine or a spy?”
“I like her. She’s got a positive attitude. She’s intelligent, quick, and not at all cocky. She likes you, though, which does make me wonder about her judgment.”
“Very funny.”
“Actually, I think she has good judgment. She sticks up for you.”
I wonder to whom she sticks up for me.
Greatorex nods toward the trainees, saying, “They’re looking better, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, better. But they’re still slow and soft.”
“I think they could take you now in a straight fight.”
I shake my head.
“Try them? It’ll be good for them. Four of my best against you. Just don’t kill anyone.”
“If those four win against me I’ll kill myself.”
Greatorex smiles. “OK then. Those four and me against you.”
Greatorex is a good fighter, almost as good as Celia. I shake my head and say, “I don’t want to hurt you, Greatorex.”
“I’ll heal. So will you. Not scared of a few trainees and an ex-Hunter, are you?” Greatorex is thin and delicate- looking, but also fast, tough, and lethal, and very smart.
I look to Gabriel, saying, “What do you think?”
“I hope they kick your butt.”
“Pick your team then,” I say to Greatorex.
She rubs her hands and calls out, “Sophie, Scott, Adele, Kirsty.”
They walk over to her. I recognize Kirsty as she’s huge, slow, and strong. Scott is toned and fast, as is Sophie. Adele must have come from one of the other Alliance camps as I’ve not seen her before. Greatorex gives them a pep talk, basically saying that she’ll attack me first and they have to back her up with everything they’ve got while I’m busy with her. When she’s finished her little speech I say to her so that they can all hear, “You haven’t told them what to do once I kill you.”
Greatorex smiles and says, “When you’re begging for mercy I’ll remind you of that.” The trainees nod and try to look tough.