Poison Tree Read Online Free PDF Page B

targets suggests an expert,” Alysia said. “And all three victims are still alive—that suggests that the attacker was very careful
not
to kill.”
    “That seems like a stretch,” Jason objected, his hand instinctively going to a spot low on his stomach. “You saw the bolt that hit me—you were the one who took it
out
of me. It had firestone in it.”
    “And we had a Triste in the next building,” Alysia replied. “Anyone from Onyx planning an attack would have done research first. They would know what we can take. Jason was hit in the lower abdomen, Ben was hit in the leg, and Israel’s worst injury was to her hand, which was at her side next to her leg. I refuse to believe this archer could hit all three targets yet somehow aimed too low to connect with any vital organs.”
    “The stomach is pretty vital, as is the femoral artery,” Jason replied.
    “Not like the heart, or lung, or aorta,” Alysia argued, “and not with the kinds of healers we have on staff.”
    “You were there?” Sarik asked as Alysia’s words sank in.
    Alysia nodded, and then seemed to pause. She looked at Sarik, and Sarik could see in the human’s eyes the exact moment when she realized that her presence on the scene looked suspicious.
    “I went to see if I could do anything about the network issue,” Alysia answered.
    Before dawn, in sleet and freezing wind, after tech support had already been called?
Sarik bit her tongue to hold back the question.
    Lynzi frowned and then rubbed her temple. Especially in her own ritual space, Sarik knew, the Triste could probably feel every spike of emotion around her, no matter how carefully someone tried to conceal feelings. On the other hand, with so many strong emotions piled on top of the exhaustion she must have been coping with after healing Jason, Israel, and Ben, Sarik would have been surprised if Lynzi could read anything specific.
    Jason squeezed Sarik’s hand. He said, “Alysia ran forward when Ben shouted for her. She helped get us under cover, pulled the firestone out of me, and kept Ben from bleeding to death before Mary could get Lynzi. And she donated blood.”
    Sarik nodded, taking in the information. Jason was right; Alysia’s reaction wasn’t what she expected of a mercenary.
    Lynzi swallowed and said, “I think we need to send someone to Onyx. I’m sure they see us as a bunch of tree-hugging peaceniks, but SingleEarth is one of the wealthiest and most influential organizations in the world. We need to make it clear that there is a value to not crossing us.”
    Sarik shuddered at the notion and then turned and stared when Alysia said, “I can go and try to set up a meeting. Immediately, unless someone has a good reason to wait.” She glanced up at the clock on Lynzi’s wall. “The Hall is about four hours away. I can get there and back by evening.”
    What are you thinking, Alysia?
Sarik wished she could read the human’s mind. Alysia’s knowledge of Onyx made it obvious that she had some kind of history with them. It was possible that she was in SingleEarth because she had run away from that guild, but if so, why would she volunteer to go
back
there?
    The panic of the morning was getting the best of Sarik. She didn’t have enough information to make sense of Alysia’s behavior, but she knew one thing for sure: she needed answers.
    “You shouldn’t go alone,” Sarik said. “You gave blood this morning. You shouldn’t be driving four hours to meet with mercenaries.”
    Alysia glanced at Jason and Lynzi, who were both obviously exhausted. They would need to feed and rest to recover their strength. That left only Sarik.
    This is the only way to know
, Sarik told herself. She had to risk it.
    At last, Alysia said, “I would be happy to have you with me.”
    “Fine,” Lynzi said. “I’m going to update Diana and then call Central to get security here. Onyx may have elite mercenaries, but SingleEarth is
not
defenseless.
    “Both of you. Travel safe.”
    “I