Soulwalker Read Online Free PDF Page B

I know, but we do exist. We have to be the voice of reason and try to keep control of uncertain situations.”
    “You’ll get no help from SBSC, you know that.”
    “Yes, I’m aware of the feelings of discontent within the ranks.”
    “It’s a dangerous path you choose, Administrator.”
    “Please, call me Maken.”
    Tarris knew he wanted her to move her opinion a little toward the middle so they could find common ground.
    “You obviously have some doubts, soldier. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here and my family would be dead.”
    “The only doubt I have, sir, is killing children. They have done nothing wrong but be born to you.”
    “True, but what future do they have if the Council instigates this action?”
    Tarris could feel the beginnings of a headache. This was too much information to absorb in the middle of the night. She had no time; she knew that.
    “I would say think on it, soldier, but I know you have to report tomorrow about the mission.” He paused. “What is your decision?” he asked almost hesitantly.
    “Are you so quick to know your fate?” Tarris snapped. Her hand rose to her brow, and she rubbed frantically across the skin in frustration. “This is a dangerous road you’ve put me on, Administrator Derille.”
    “You’ve put yourself on that road, soldier. I’ve only shown you what’s up ahead.”
    “Don’t use your political oratory on me, sir.” Angrily, Tarris paced the floor. Why had she been put into this situation? Was it a test of her loyalty, or was it nothing more than another assignment? She was being forced to make a decision she didn’t want to make, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to kill the children. “All right! All right. Get your family out of here tonight. Tell no one. You hear me? No one! Not even the house staff. To you, and the world, they are dead.”
    She turned away, to be stopped by a large hand. “Thank you.”
    “Let’s hope it doesn’t kill us all.”
    “Your name,” he asked.
    “It’s better not to know.”
    “Please… your name,” he asked again.
    “Tarris… Tarris Waite.” She didn’t look back as she left the room, mentally preparing for her death even then. This was going to have ramifications, she just knew it.
     
    *   *   *
     
    Tarris’s walk to the meeting the next morning was long and arduous, both physically and mentally. Her moment of truth had arrived. Would the deception hold, or would she be facing her death? Her heart beat wildly as she stepped down the dark corridor toward the conference room.
    “So, blue eyes, how’s your sex life going?” Corman taunted. Raucous chuckles filled the air as Tarris walked into the room. She was close to adding one more kill to her list.
    “Probably better than yours, Corman.” The tall, thin albino turned to face his cohorts, his angry look silencing their laughter.
    “No one could have a worse sex life than you, Tarris, unless they were dead.”
     
    Rule Three in her Survival Handbook: Don’t go into a battle angry.
     
    She tried to hold onto that rule in her head, but Corman had a way of circumventing all her good intentions. She stepped up to her adversary, the force of her personality making up for her lack of height. She was upset with herself because she was about to break one of her life rules. “What is your problem, Corman? My death not coming soon enough for you?”
    “Can’t you take a joke, woman? Sheesh.” Somehow he made it sound like it was Tarris who had the problem.
    “Certainly, if it’s a good one. This one has gone way past tasteless to downright sick.”
    “Hey! I’m not the one who’s a cripple.” He stared angrily down at her.
    “Listen, you sick bastard, that has to be the lowest thing you’ve said to me. When I get my legs back…”
    “Get your legs back?” He laughed loudly, and those around him joined in the joke. “You were a cripple, you are a cripple, and you always will be a cripple.”
    “And yet I’m still the leader of