Read Online Martyr by A. R. Kahler - Free Book Online

shoulders and he wouldn’t care at all.
    â€œIt’s obvious he’s after you,” Jarrett said, “and he won’t stop until he finds you.”
    â€œSo I should give myself up,” Tenn said.
    â€œNo,” Jarrett replied. He stepped behind Tenn and wrapped his arms tight around his stomach. The movement wasn’t just loving; it was protective. Jarrett’s arms were strong, holding Tenn in place, keeping him from falling deeper into Water’s clutches. “We need to head back to base, see if the Prophets know anything about this.” He paused and looked to Dreya. “Are you fine getting us back?”
    She nodded. Tenn’s stomach was in a twist. Of course the Prophets knew about this. They’d sent Tenn out here as bait. But he couldn’t voice that, not yet. Not until he knew why . Before this, he’d been nothing—just a soldier, just fodder. What had changed?
    â€œThen let’s go,” Jarrett said, cutting Tenn’s thoughts short. “Before Matthias finds us.”
    The twins walked over to the edge of the platform and Tenn made to step toward them, but Jarrett held him back.
    â€œI’m not going to let Leanna get you,” he whispered. “I swear on my life, I will do everything I can to keep you safe.”
    And that , Tenn thought, is the problem. Your life is worth more than mine .
    They walked over to the twins, hand in hand. Dreya grasped his shoulder. When her power flooded around him, they jumped back into the waves.

6
    It was late afternoon by the time they reached the shores of Outer Chicago. Water lapped at the highway stretched before them, slowly eating at the asphalt, turning it to sand and stone. Grey clouds streaked through the slate-blue sky, and the horizon was heavy with the promise of rain. Dreya used her magic to pull the water from their clothes, but the bite of the air still cut deep. Tenn glanced up into the sky. December and still no snow.
    None of them spoke as they made their way through the abandoned streets. The air was still and perfectly silent. After the roar of battle and water in his ears, the hush made Tenn’s head ring, like stepping from a crowded school dance into the night air. Yards were overgrown and browned, tumbled with old clothes and mangled bikes and toys bleached white in the sun. No bones. It’d been two years since Tenn had come to Outer Chicago. Even then, the surrounding city was clear of corpses. He’d never thought it appropriate to ask if that was because of Howls or Hunters.
    They rounded a corner and faced a rough, black earthen wall that rose straight out of the street, cutting houses in two and stretching four stories above the pavement. Great metal spikes stuck out from the highest ramparts, all angled down to impale anything trying to climb over. And those were just the physical defenses. Tenn could feel the magic running through the place, the traps and snares of fire and ice that were just waiting to be triggered. When the four approached, Jarrett called out in a loud, clear voice.
    â€œI am Jarrett Townsend, commander of Troop Omega, requesting permission to enter.”
    Something shifted on the high wall. A figure peered over the top.
    â€œAre you clean?” the guard called.
    As one, they opened to their Spheres. Tenn only opened to Earth; he couldn’t bear the thought of Water gaining hold. Magic was proof enough that none of them had been turned into Howls. Although apparently the Kin could slip by without a problem , Tenn thought. He suppressed a shiver. The guard disappeared from sight and moments later, a chunk of the wall in front of them shivered. Like the waves of a mirage, the stone faded from sight, revealing a large door of rusted steel and heavy girders. With a shrill scream and rumble of machinery, it slid aside.
    They slipped through before the entrance was fully opened. The guard gave them a quick nod before turning the great wheel that