Destin Chronicles Requiem Bundle (eBook)

We crouch in tense silence, listening to the sounds of our attackers as they methodically advance toward our position from opposite sides of the cargo bay.

My attention is drawn to something behind Chambers.

“Can you reach that red case?”

He turns to the suitcase-sized object leaning against the storage rack.

With great caution, he reaches toward it, and I half anticipate his hand will be torn off by another spray of gunfire. When his fingers go unnoticed, he grabs the case and pushes it between us. I pry open the latch and open it.

Chambers seems confused by what it contains. “A medical defibrillator?”

“Well, you didn’t bring a gun, did you?”

“You need to be up close and personal to make use of that thing.”

“Me? I don’t think so.” I hand him the paddles and the charge pack.

He frowns. “Fine, but you’re the bait, Doctor.”

Suddenly my brilliant plan doesn’t seem so clever.

Slipping around me to the storage racks, he squeezes into a shallow depression between them.

A footfall sounds metres away, out of sight.

“What should I do?” I can barely control my shaking.

“Distract him.”

Desperately, I search about for something—anything that will protect me. Finding nothing, I remove my jacket and pull my shirt over my head. While reaching behind me to undo my bra, I catch sight of Chambers watching. Scowling, I toss the garment aside and turn to expose my naked breasts to my approaching assassin.

A heavy-set, balding man with tattoos running up his neck comes into view. He levels his weapon at me. Astonishment crosses his face for the brief seconds before Chambers emerges from the shadows and presses both paddles to the man’s torso. Our would-be killer’s eyes roll to the back of his skull and his body convulses before he goes limp.

Chambers grabs the gun and retreats to the storage racks, listening for the second gunman. Almost predictably, his eyes dart to my now-covered breasts. He smiles and shrugs.

A click of a boot on the floor rivets my attention. He motions for me to move to another stack of containers. I gather up my clothing and dash for cover as the approaching footfalls draw closer.

Squatting on my haunches, I make myself as small as possible. Suddenly, the reality of my situation asserts itself. My shaking arms hug my knees, and the swish of my pulse in my ears becomes deafening.

A burst of gunfire explodes, then silence falls over the cargo bay. Cowering, I listen for any indication Chambers is still alive.

“Mel, you can come out now.”

Standing on rubbery legs, I hastily pull my shirt back over my head. For some stupid reason, I think it important to straighten out my dishevelled hair.

Chambers’ head pokes around the corner. “Are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah.” My hand self-consciously drops to my side. “Are you?”

“I got him before he saw me.”

“You killed him?”

“That can happen when you shoot somebody.”

My stomach does a sudden flip, and I fight to keep from vomiting.

I point to the unconscious man. “What about this one?”

“He might still be alive. If he is, maybe we can learn some answers.”

I frown. “There is another way to find out what’s going on—something we should’ve done days ago.” I storm past him and stand before the coffin-shaped container that has caused us so much grief. “Open it.”

Chambers nods obediently and advances to the crate to enter his universal pass code. He lifts the lid, and we both stare, gobsmacked.

“Holy shit,” I finally manage. “This explains everything.”