Read Online Tribes of Man: The Beginning [Tribes of Man] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Kiel Nichols - Free Book Online

this.”
    “You said that before, but I don’t know how to make him leave without hurting his feelings.”
    “I’ll take care of it.” Voices came from outside the bathroom.
    “How are you going to get out of here?” Raina asked. Then she realized that he was already gone.
     
    * * * *
     
    “This just in...an attack at the University of Washington library has left seven dead and three critically injured. One of the dead, a library employee, appeared to be the victim of an execution-style slaying.” The information filtering to the public over the radio tended to be sensationalized and only half accurate. Gideon was trying to remind himself of that as the report made his heart begin to pound. He reached out to feel Raina again. He just hoped that what he was feeling was her on the physical plane rather than the spiritual one.
    “Unlike most school shootings, the three gunmen escaped and remain at large. Their identities are unknown at this time.”
    By the time he pulled up into the lot, news vans were filling up the space. Gideon elbowed his way past gawking rubberneckers and crying students. He’d just gotten to the edge of the crowd when he saw Raina being led out of the library, a burly officer’s arm around her, supporting her.
    When he tried to go around the police barrier, he was stopped by a patrolman. “Sorry, mister.”
    “That’s my wife up there. Right there,” Gideon lied without hesitation. He didn’t think even that would get him through the line, but he figured it was his best chance.
    “You’re going to have to wait in the auditorium.” The officer pointed to a stately building off to the side. “Families are asked to wait in there for word.”
    “But I can see her,” Gideon insisted. “She’s right there.” He pointed to Raina.
    All of a sudden, a disembodied voice said, “Let him through.” The officer’s eyes went blank for a moment. “Let him through, Johnny. He needs to be with his mate.”
    The officer blinked twice before moving the barrier aside. “You can go be with your mate, mister, but make sure you stay away from the scene.”
    All the hair on Gideon’s body was standing on end, like he had just walked past a live wire. He knew that he just got help from someone, but he chose not to think about it. He knew the voice wasn’t coming from him. He never would have used the word mate . “Thanks.”
    Gideon hurried toward the ambulances. When he approached, he saw the body bags on the ground. Luckily, the man holding Raina’s arm was an old friend from his days on the force.
    “Hey, Wijinicki,” Gideon greeted him.
    “Hey, Gid. How the heck are ya?” He frowned. “What are you doin’ here?”
    Just then Raina broke free of his hold and launched herself into Gideon’s arms. He held her tightly and closed his eyes to breathe in her scent. She smelled like flowers and tears.
    “Ohh, I get it,” Wijinicki said. “We got to get her checked out, and take her statement, OK?”
    Recognizing the tone, Gideon realized that Raina just went from being a suspect to being a victim. He didn’t know if she realized that, from the moment they found her alive, she would have been their number one suspect.

Chapter 6
     
    Raina didn’t want to let go of Gideon to be checked out by the MTs.
    “Miss Kallan, we have to take your vitals, OK? Just to make sure that you’re not in shock.” The MT was speaking slowly and quietly.
    “She’s blind,” Gideon said. “All this is very confusing for her.”
    Raina didn’t let go of Gideon, but she did say, Don’t talk about me as though I’m not here.
    Hey, do you want me to be able to stay with you through this or not?
    Good point. “It was so scary.” It wasn’t hard to make her voice shake.
    “Would you like...” The woman paused so that Gideon could fill in his name. “Would you like Gideon to stay with you?”
    “Yes, please.” Raina unwrapped her arms from around his neck. When she did, she realized that she could