After Siege (As the World Dies 4)

“Rune, you can take care of them later. Right now you have to help us find out what Ed wanted,” Juan insisted.

“Juan, I like you, but you need to back off,” Rune responded, a clear warning in his tone. “You don’t know what this is like. I can only help so much before I’m teetering on the edge of losin’ my damn mind.”

Exhaling with frustration, Juan set his hands on his hips and stared at the other man. “Okay, I know I’m being an asshole, but if any of Ed’s people are out there we gotta save them.”

“We both know this is about Belinda, but I can’t tell you if she’s alive or dead,” Rune said. “Ed didn’t speak a word about anyone or anything. All he did was point.”

“If she’s alive, I have to try to save her.”

“Hey, Juan!” a woman’s voice called out.

Katarina strolled toward them, her rifle slung across her shoulders. The homely woman’s red hair was French braided tightly against her head and slung over one shoulder. Emma couldn’t help but wonder who Katarina had been in her former life. She exuded quiet strength and pure grit, but didn’t necessarily come across as someone who’d been in law enforcement or the military. Seeing Macy, she paused and spoke into her walkie-talkie while Juan jogged over to join her.

Emma cautiously approached Rune, recognizing his distress was because of her request to help Macy. His

keen blue eyes flicked toward her.

“I’m sorry,” Macy said, feeling awkward and guilty. “This is because of me.”

“I made the choice to help. Not just because you asked, but because Clive also asked.”

“I do appreciate what you did. When I...when I...” Macy struggled to retain her composure. “I felt something when I did what I had to do. It was like the world sighed with relief. Julian is at peace because of you. I thank you for that.”

“I did what needed to be done. Which is why I need to head out soon.”

“It’s dangerous out there,” Emma said.

While listening to Rune and Macy, Emma kept an eye on Juan and Katarina. They were in a deep discussion and Katarina lifted her walkie-talkie to her mouth a few times.

Rune rubbed his temples, wincing as though in pain. “I’ll go fuckin’ crazy if I stay here. One dude in particular will not shut up.”

Clearly concerned, Macy leaned toward Rune. “I don’t want you to run off because of me. Can I do something?”

“There ain’t nothin’ you can do. Once the ghosts know what I am, they bombard me. It’s like having a room full of people just yellin’ at ya nonstop. I have to leave the area to get any damn peace.”

The guilt Emma was experiencing blotted out her earlier joy at their rescue of Macy. “Can you come back?”

Rune nodded. “Eventually.”

When Yolanda and Lewis appeared, Emma wasn’t surprised. The Fort people were efficient. Katarina had probably called in Macy’s arrival. Lewis ran to his aunt, his arms outstretched, and Macy caught his skinny body and held him tight.

“Auntie!”

“Hey, baby.”

“I didn’t think you’d come!”

Macy kissed his cheek. “I didn’t think so either, but I’m here.”

Tears in his eyes, Lewis hugged Macy again. Though he was taller than his aunt, he looked child-like in her grasp. Emma recognized how much Lewis had needed his aunt while she’d been focused on her dead son. Maybe Macy recognized it too, because she held him tighter, tears glimmering on her cheeks.

Yolanda stopped a few feet away, beaming at the reunion.

It did feel good to see a family brought back together after suffering so much.

Rune, meanwhile, slunk off, clutching his head in both hands.

Emma started after him, but a voice distracted her.