Rex Aftermath (Elei's Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

waiting for him to say he knew what it was and how to work with it, how to wrestle with it like he did with the colors.
    Not sweeps. Flashes.
    Hells.
    A loud bark of laughter from Iliathan saved Elei from having to answer. Kalaes arched a dark brow.
    “You’re frigging kidding me.” Iliathan snorted and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “This,” he tapped a grimy finger on the monitor, “could be a real problem.”
    “What?” Alendra’s blond head bent closer and Elei’s fists tightened.
    Dammit, relax.
    “They’ve upped the security level to nine. Recently, too, from the looks of it. Maybe even last night.” He tapped rapidly on the keyboard. “I think I have an idea...”
    Alendra shot Elei and Kalaes a worried look over her shoulder. A coincidence? No way.
    “Can you still get us inside?” she asked.
    “I can get you as close as possible,” Iliathan said. “I can override protocols and open up some gates.”
    Sounded fair enough.
    “So what’s the catch?” Kalaes went to stand next to Iliathan’s chair, eyes narrowed. “There’s always a catch.”
    “Yeah, well. Can’t see what’s going on inside the facilities.” Iliathan sucked air through his teeth. “Once you’re in, you’re on your own, pals.”
    Always. Was that supposed to be something new? “In which facility can you get us?” Elei asked.
    “The medicine factory on the east side looks feasible. Or the water treatment plant to the west, toward the mountains.”
    Elei exchanged a look with Kalaes who shook his head. Right, stick to the plan, trust no-one, not even Hera’s favorite informant.
    “Then be ready to get us into either one,” Elei said.
    He felt bad lying to Iliathan, making him work his ass off for something not needed. Neither of the two locations would be their target. Still. Hera had sworn this man was trustworthy, but Elei would rather let Kalaes call the shots on this one and they’d agreed that a false lead was needed in case anyone was keeping tabs on Iliathan.
    Consistent, be consistent. Never let your guard down. This was too important, and anyone could be listening in.
    “Either one. Oh man, honestly? You have no idea how much work that is.” Iliathan sighed. “Let me see if I’m not talking dogshit first. I need to check a few things. This may take some time.”
    Elei frowned.
    Well, they weren’t meeting the gang leaders until later. Might as well rest.
    He glanced at the room. It was bare apart from the table and the chair Iliathan occupied. As if reading his thoughts, Alendra looked around, too, and her slender brows drew together.
    Kalaes solved the problem by leaning against a wall and sliding down, hands hanging between his knees. Despite the grin he sent Elei’s way, he looked tired. “Well then, let’s catch a wink.” He waved a hand. “It’s not like we have a home to go back to, is it?”
    “And why are you so cheerful?” Alendra grumbled, settling next to him and stretching her legs.
    “We’re free, fe, when we could be in the regime’s hands. They didn’t catch us. That should count for something.”
    Joining them, Elei thought about that. Yeah, things could have been worse. Then again, they’d lost their apartment, their base, their safe place. Someone — probably Dain — had betrayed them to the regime and their plan was half-mad anyway.
    Things were worse already.
     
    ***
     
    “You have been compromised. Do not go south. Took them some time.” Hera’s chest seethed with a swirl of emotions — anger born of frustration, fear, and burning hate. “Damn them.”
    “Thank the gods for small mercies,” Mantis muttered.
    They were crossing one of the small towns of the northern coast, Megara, a detour but still heading toward the underground entrance, hoping to find another way through.
    Hera maneuvered the aircar through the narrow streets of the town center. “We spent four days at Istros, and they only found our trail now?” She tsked. “Regime intel is getting