After Siege (As the World Dies 4)

“Happy family reunions are rare nowadays.”

Pivoting about, Emma saw Nerit standing close to her. She hadn’t even heard her approach, which was a little unsettling.

“I wanted to help Macy,” Emma admitted. “It was wrong to leave her out there.”

“You’re a capable fighter and have a good heart. It’s a good combination.” Nerit’s chin length hair was tucked behind her ears, and despite the sunset, her dark sunglasses were over her eyes. Dressed in jeans and an olive green shirt, she looked as physically fit as any of the younger people in the Fort.

Emma checked on Macy to see she was firmly under the care of her nephew and the city secretary of the Fort. “Miss Yolanda can set you up with a room and stuff, Auntie,” Lewis was saying. When the three walked toward the stairway that would take them into the main area of the Fort, Emma sighed with relief.

“She was a tough one to crack,” Nerit noted.

“We couldn’t have done it without Rune, although it came at a cost for him.”

Nerit studied Rune, taking in his pained expression. “I see.”

“He says the ghosts are bombarding him.”

“That has to be a pain in the ass.”

“I don’t know if it’s my place to say, but he saw Ed out there.”

Nerit’s head swiveled toward her, and Emma wished she could see her eyes. Had Emma stepped out of bounds? It was impossible to tell.

“Not alive I take it.”

Emma shook her head.

“Well, shit.” Nerit set her hands on her hips and returned to observing the medium. “Did Ed say anything to him?”

“No, but Rune said he pointed to something.”

“That doesn’t sound ominous.”

“Rune says he has to leave because of the ghosts.”

“We can’t make people stay, Emma. Don’t worry too much about him. Rune can handle himself. He’s left before and returned. That being said, let’s find out what he learned from Ed.”

Pleased to be included, Emma walked with Nerit to where Rune stood. Katarina and Juan joined them.

Katarina glanced at Nerit. “Juan says Rune has news.” “That’s what we’re about to talk to him about,” Nerit replied.

Rune watched them approach with a bleary look in his eyes.

Nerit stopped in front of him and sighed dramatically. “So, Ed’s gone.”

Rune nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I saw him when we got charged with runners.”

“Some of them were Ed’s people, including the Vargas kid,” Juan added.

“Mateo? Damn. He was a good kid.” Katarina shook her head sadly.

“Emma said he pointed at something. Any idea what it was, Rune?”

“Not sure, Nerit.” Rune indicated the hill that loomed over the west side of town. “That’s where he pointed, but no explanation. I assume it’s the hill, or something on it.”

Juan turned to look, his brow creasing with confusion. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“There’s nothing up on that hill. Just the cellphone tower,” Nerit said.