Free Uprising by Jessica Therrien Page B

staring at the gate, like if it moved I’d get my answers.
    “They’re in,” she said, staying focused. “Okay, should we go?”
    “Just wait.” Her voice spiked with irritation.
    The girl next to me wasn’t the Kara I’d been growing close to over the weeks. She was the harder version, the trained operative who’d worked for The Council on jobs for years.
    I couldn’t help but stare at her face, waiting for the muscles in her forehead to tell me if things were good or bad, but I didn’t speak again.
    Her glossy lips curled into a smile. “The guard is opening the gate for us. Let’s go.”
    The hard soles of our flats clicked and scuffed over the surface of the sidewalk as we tried to be quick but discrete. Kara led the way, scanning the area for any threatening presence. The large black wrought iron gate swung open electronically, and a pretty face met us with a love-struck smile. She straightened her beige dress suit and ran her fingers through her auburn hair, trying to make herself look presentable.
    “Hi, Riley,” Kara said, apparently amused to see her under the influence of William’s ability.
    “Hello,” she answered in a daze. “Please, come in.” Kara laughed quietly to herself.
    What’s so funny? I thought to her. I couldn’t be anything but completely serious.
    She can take a wall down with her fist. If it weren’t for William, she probably would have ripped my heart right out of my chest. I don’t imagine I’m welcome here anymore.
    I looked around, feeling threatened by whatever ability lurked around the next corner. Where are they?
    Close, but hidden. Where we should be.
    I knew what came next, my role in this. William’s ability would wear off as we moved on, and I needed to sedate those we encountered. I triggered the bracelet on my left wrist and loaded the dart with just enough toxin to put Riley under for a few hours.
    Do it , Kara urged, sensing my hesitation. It was harder than I imagined it would be to shoot someone with this amount of blood. If I used too much, it could kill her. Every person’s body was different, but no matter the outcome, I had no choice.
    Riley pulled back her hair, exposing her neck to me, something William must have instructed her to do. I blew the dart at close range and heard her moan as it punctured the skin. Kara caught her as she fell limp, and we dragged her unconscious body, hiding it amongst the foliage of some blooming bushes.
    The front yard was pristine, with clean squared-off hedges and trellises laced with climbing vines. The house was more of a manor or estate than a home. It was large enough to be a hotel. The entire façade was polished stone veneer supported by tall pillars that reached the floor of the second story.
    Come on , Kara instructed as she ducked behind a porcelain fountain. Just as I took cover next to her, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness, searching like a roaming eye. Kara offered no silent words of advice to my thoughts. Neither of us dared to move. The heavy breath that could only belong to a Hunter was growing louder. I thought he might be trying to sniff us out. The grass rustled under his shoes as he came closer, and I moved my hand to my weapon.
    I don’t think it will work, Elyse , Kara warned, not on Hunters. They’re built different, more durable.
    I guess we’ll find out.
    I slid the gun out of its holster, but before I had time to load a dart, a voice called out.
    “Hey, Carl. You seen Riley?”
    “No, she don’t report to me,” the Hunter answered from inches away.
    “Yeah, but you’re out here.” The man paused. “You looking for something?”
    “No, just a perimeter check.” He seemed aggravated. “Why you on my case so much, huh?”
    The Hunter’s voice began to fade as he walked away, closing the gap between him and his antagonizer.
    It wasn’t a particularly warm night, but Kara’s forehead still beaded with sweat that glistened in the moonlight. I wasn’t the only one who was