The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

her attention from the floor but avoided looking at the patient. Vari walked to a cabinet and handed him a white shirt.

Nat pulled it over his head and tucked the hem into his trousers.

“How did you end up with those men?” Vari asked.

“I was coming out of the constabulary, when two guys stuck their guns between my ribs and kindly escorted me to their carriage.”

“How did they know you were there?” Anouk asked.

“They must keep an eye on the Constabulary HQ, and bounty hunters. Two of our colleagues were found dead this morning.”

“Yes, we heard about them.” Vari shook her head. “Very unfortunate. Then…” she paused and looked at Anouk, her eyebrows raised in a silent question.

Anouk took a deep breath, shuddering at the memory. “I saw Stalo just outside the constabulary.”

“What?” Nat’s jawline tightened.

Anouk started at his clipped tone. “He didn’t say or do anything. Just stared at me for a moment, bowed and left. It was… creepy.”

Nat slammed his fist on the table. “Another lost chance.”

Anouk jumped in her chair and shot an alarmed look at Vari.

Vari placed her hand on Nat’s shoulder. “Now, now, my son. Don’t worry, Stalo will make sure you get your chance soon enough.” Packing the bandages into a leather pouch, she continued, “Anouk handled your rescue operation very well. And she could have handled Stalo if he had tried anything untoward.”

Anouk wasn’t convinced. She had been paralysed with fear, but she wasn’t going to argue now when Nat’s face was twisted in anger.

Nat nodded, his expression softening some when he turned his eyes at Anouk. “Aye. You did handle it well.” He flashed a smile. “Partner.”

She forced a smile on her face.

“But Stalo’s in another class from those thugs. He almost got you just now.” Nat exhibited an edge to his tone.

Anouk met his eyes. Once again, his expression was closed. She frowned. What the hell? Was he now going to demand she stay with Vari and Fitzwil? Damn him, if he dared to say anything like that. She steeled herself for a forthcoming argument.

Chapter 12

Creaking floor boards woke Anouk. Cracking her eyelids, she observed Nat standing with his back to her, stuffing his bedding into a cabinet. The morning light streamed through his dark curls, giving him an angelic aura. Anouk couldn’t help smiling. He was alive and back with them… with her.

He had slept on the floor while Vari and Fitzwil slept outside. They explained it was easier to keep an eye on the camp that way. Anouk fully understood the need for such vigilance. So far Rondon hadn’t come across as a safe city. Anouk had offered to sleep on the floor so Nat could have the bed. After all, he was the one with bruises and cuts. However, he refused, claiming he preferred a harder surface. Maybe he did, or perhaps he was just being a gentleman.

The night before replayed in her mind. Anxious anticipation on the roof, finding Nat bound and beaten, the fight, the fire, dead bodies, and their narrow escape. She could still hear the high-pitched scream when she sliced through the man’s wrist. The logical side of her said the same as Nat, Fitzwil and Vari; she’d acted in self-defence but she wished the rescue had been less bloodied.

“Good morning, Anouk.” Nat regarded her with a smile. The purple swelling in the corner of his left eye and cheek, and the cut on his lip ruined her earlier impression of him. He looked more like what he was—a man who had taken a beating.

Anouk winced but then forced a smile back on her face. Nat wouldn’t want pity and neither would she if she were in his shoes.

“Morning.” Her mouth turned into a yawn.

She was surprised she had managed any sleep. After she had cleaned the blood from her katana, she was sure no sleep would come. But her remarkable ability to fall asleep—as Owen used to say—didn’t fail her even this time. Vari’s herbal tea, though, might have had something to do with it.

Nat sat on a chair and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. A solemn expression had replaced the smile. Anouk tensed. Last night, she had expected him to try to persuade her to give up the partnership and stay with Vari and Fitzwil. Setting up the camp had taken their priority, but the promise of talking things through the next morning was made. Still, she hadn’t expected it to happen as soon as she awoke. Irritation crept in and she sat up, ready to shoot down any arguments favouring her staying in the camp.

“I know what you’re going to say.” She fixed her eyes on Nat’s. “And I appreciate your concern, but I’m not staying behind. I know I have a lot to learn, but you have no other option but to teach me because I’m going wherever you go. That was and still is our deal. So, I’m sorry, Mr Walla, but I’m sticking with you like a leech.”

The corner of Nat’s mouth twisted upward. “I thought you might say that.”

Anouk scowled at him. “You’re not getting rid of me—no way, mister. We are partners. Vari and Fitzwil think so too, so I won’t tell them I’m quitting and neither will you, because I’m not backing off. If you leave on your own again, I’ll come after you.” She leaned forward, and said through gritted teeth, “Alone. And I’ll beat you worse than your so called new ex-friends.”

A smirk split Nat’s face, his eyes glinting.

Anouk gasped. “You were setting me up, weren’t you?”

Nat burst out laughing.

“You,” Anouk growled and threw her pillow at him. “That wasn’t fair.”

Nat chuckled and caught it mid-air. “Perhaps not. I was actually going to thank you for your good performance last night, but you brought up calling off the deal.” He lowered the pillow on his lap and crossed his hands on it. “Look, clearly you’re willing, and you’ve proved that you’re capable. I’m not going to ask you again if