Sinth Salvation - Pearl Tate Page 0,13

lips, Nikon turns around to glance back at Alisha too before he releases my hand. “Because … it’s dangerous. The last thing we need is you getting exposed.”

That’s it! Swinging open my door, I hop out quickly and pull out my service sidearm, flashing it confidently. Checking the clip, I look at Nikon across the top of my car as he gets out.

“I’m fine, and my boss wouldn’t have assigned me to this case if he didn’t think I was capable.”

Turning, I don’t wait for his response. I’ve worked with a lot of chauvinists over the years, but this one takes the cake. And from North America too. Disappointing.

Even though Iceland touts itself as one of the global feminist leaders, it’s more of a facade for the world. There’s just as much chest beating here as anywhere else. But I’m not going to let Nikon bother me.

Taking a deep breath, I bound up the exterior stairs of the apartment complex. Nikon passes me as I get to the top and walk down the hallway. I see Alisha behind me, walking casually. She doesn’t seem worried, and he didn’t make her stay in the car. What’s with that?

“Are you guys vaccinated for this?” Maybe that’s why he’s more concerned about me. Granted, I don’t want to get sick. I can’t take care of Eva if I’m sick.

Last night was magical. With her father gone, Eva created a dance in her new dress, practicing for an hour before putting on a show for me. She’s so creative. Being with her made me realize just how much I’d like to have my own kids someday. With the way things are going, that’s not going to be for a while, but a person can dream.

Pausing behind Nikon, I wait, watching as he knocks twice before putting the key into the lock.

As soon as he pushes the door in, I hear a strange rushing sound before a woman’s face jams into the small opening he made. She’s almost unidentifiable as her entire body slams against the door, pressing it back against Nikon even though she’s clearly trying to get out. She grunts and groans as she ineffectively throws herself against the door Nikon’s holding open.

There’s a rust brown color on the lower half of her face, and an unidentifiable sound comes from her mouth which is gaping open. She breathes heavily, groaning unintelligibly. I don’t believe she’s trying to say anything specific.

But her eyes are the strangest thing about her. They’re white. Like cataracts have taken over. She doesn’t appear to have much of a pupil. Instead, the color of her eyes blends in with the whites.

Nikon doesn’t hesitate. Pushing the door back effortlessly against her weight, he brings it back into the jamb before throwing it against her, using it as a battering ram and making enough room for him to squeeze through.

Before I can follow him in, he slams the door behind him. Loud bangs ensue as I hold my gun in my hand and turn the knob with my free hand, before throwing my shoulder against the door. Alisha just stands to the side, her back against the wall next to the door. Her eyes survey the walkway on each side. She hasn’t drawn a weapon or moved to push against the door with me!

“A little help here?” I huff as I gain an inch, only to lose it when there’s weight thrown against it on the other side.

Instead of pushing like I expect, she reaches over with one hand to flatten her palm on the surface. What I don’t expect is how the door seems to easily fall open with the pressure she put on it! Or maybe no one’s holding it closed any longer?

Stumbling into the apartment, I wait a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Just inside the entry, I see the woman who answered the door.

Now that I’m inside, the noise she’s making sounds more like groaning or grunting. Her hands have been secured behind her, and, as my eyes adjust, I see her feet are bound too. Mindlessly, she fights the restraints, as she grunts over and over again, looking at me—I think?

Nikon’s in the corner of the living room, wrestling with another woman who’s totally nude. Her thin arms flail as she lunges at him face first, her jaws snapping audibly with each surge forward. Is she trying to bite him?

I hear a stumble and groan behind me just as I’m tackled