Free Web NovelChapter 227: Chapter 227 - A Drone
Voices pulled her out of sleep.
Iyisha blinked at the light coming through the window, softer now as the sky started to break.
She frowned and touched the space beside her.
Empty.
She pushed herself up and stepped out, slowing as she saw people gathered near the front, the door open as a few stood outside.
"What’s happening?" she asked, moving closer. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Aljun sat near the sofa and rubbed his face before looking up at her.
"They saw something," he said. "Outside."
Marybeth stood near the door, arms crossed.
Iyisha moved straight to Malcolm. Arnulf stood beside him, both looking toward the window.
"What’s happening?" she asked again.
Arnulf lifted a hand and pointed.
"Mike."
The man shifted his weight, his eyes still wide.
"A drone," he said, nodding toward the window. "I saw it pass."
Iyisha turned to Malcolm, her chest tightening slightly. "They’re watching us."
Malcolm’s jaw set as he gave a small nod. "We need weapons," he said, his eyes already shifting toward the door.
"We got two pistols," Arnulf said. "Harry found them in one of the rooms."
"Not enough," Malcolm muttered, his eyes moving across the men. "We go out."
Iyisha held her breath.
Outside.
She remembered the yards filled with undead.
Arnulf turned and called over his shoulder.
"Harry."
A man with a full beard stepped forward, adjusting the strap on his shoulder.
"What?"
"They want to know about the gun shop."
"There’s a gun trader nearby," Harry said. He scratched his beard as he thought. "Near the coliseum, if I’m not wrong."
"That’s too far," Iyisha muttered.
Too far for comfort.
Malcolm glanced at her, then back at Harry.
"How far?"
"An hour," Harry said. "Give or take."
Arnulf stepped forward again, his hands resting on his hips as his foot tapped lightly against the floor.
"We can check closer," he said, looking at her. "But that place will have stock. Better than blindly searching."
Malcolm looked toward the window, the light growing stronger.
"We’re going," he said. "Get three of your men."
Arnulf nodded and turned, already calling out names.
Iyisha reached for Malcolm’s hand and held it.
"I’m coming."
Malcolm turned to her as the door shut behind them.
"No."
"Malcolm, it’s dangerous outside."
"Which is why you’re staying."
She tightened her grip on his arm.
"What if something happens to you?"
"I can take care of myself," he muttered.
Iyisha straightened.
"And what does that mean?" she said. "I can’t?"
"Iyisha—"
"Shut up," she muttered as she pulled away and moved to the window, crossing her arms as she stared out at the dark shapes below.
He followed and stopped behind her.
A hand settled lightly on her arm.
"I need you here," he said. "With Lance."
Marybeth’s voice cut in.
"His fever’s spiking."
Iyisha turned immediately and moved to Lance, dropping beside him as her head went to his chest, feeling the faster rise and fall.
Marybeth pushed something into her hand.
"Here."
Iyisha glanced down.
A stethoscope.
"Where’d you get this?"
Marybeth nodded toward a bag and nudged it with her foot.
Iyisha pulled it closer and opened it, her fingers moving through the contents until she found a blood pressure cuff and tubing tucked inside, the pieces still intact like they had been left unused.
"Found it. That room had supplies."
Iyisha didn’t answer as she placed it against Lance’s chest, her head lowering as she listened.
The beat was fast.
Too fast.
"Is he fine?" Aljun asked.
"Shhh," she said, not looking up.
She grabbed Malcolm’s hand beside her and stared at his watch and checked the time, counting under her breath as she kept the stethoscope in place.
She pulled back after a moment.
"It’s elevated," she said. "But still in range."
She stood and looked down at Lance, her hand hovering for a second before settling on his chest, feeling the faster rhythm under her palm.
Malcolm was right.
Lance needed her.
Whatever he drank could be working now.
She pulled her hand back and looked at Malcolm.
"Get back safe," she said.
He gave a small nod.
She turned to the others.
"Marybeth. Aljun."
They looked at her.
"Go to the rooftop. Get ready. Throw stones, draw them away from the fire ladder."
"Sure thing," Aljun said as he stood, already pulling Marybeth with him.
"Come on," he added, glancing back with a grin. "Let’s give the two lovers some time."
He winked at Iyisha.
She rolled her eyes.
The door closed behind them.
The room went quiet.
She stood there for a second, then looked back at Malcolm.
"A kiss goodbye isn’t impossible, right?" she asked.
He didn’t answer.
He just stepped in and pulled her closer.
Iyisha’s lips curved slightly before she pulled back.
"Wait."
She turned, grabbed a bottle, and rinsed quickly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand before turning back to him.
Malcolm watched her, something faint in his expression.
"If you die," she said, her voice flat as she stepped back in front of him, "I’m not letting your last memory be a bad kiss."
Malcolm looked at her.
"Good," he said.
A small breath slipped out of her, close to a laugh.
"Then don’t mess it up," she muttered.
His hand came up to her jaw.
"Not planning to."
She held his gaze for a second.
Then leaned in.
His hand came up to her jaw as Iyisha stepped in, his other arm pulling her by the waist until she was pressed fully against him, her fingers tightening on his shirt as he leaned down and she met him halfway.
The kiss landed and held, starting slow before deepening as his hand moved to the back of her neck to keep her there.
Her breath hitched.
She didn’t expect it.
Her body reacted first, her grip tightening as her other hand slid up to his nape and pulled him closer, not letting him pull away even for a second.
He moaned softly.
She felt it.
Her stomach tightened.
Her toes curled slightly inside her shoes as she pressed into him, her chest rising faster now, her breath breaking against his lips as she stayed there longer than she meant to.
She didn’t want to stop.
Didn’t even think about it.
Her fingers clenched harder in his shirt as she leaned in again, chasing it without meaning to.
Her hand was still gripping him.
"There’s more from where that came from," she said, her voice low.
A breath left him, close to a quiet chuckle.
"I mean it, Malcolm," she added. "Come back safe."
He nodded, then pulled her into him again, this time into a hold, his arms firm around her as she settled against his chest and rested her head there.
Iyisha stilled.
Her breath slowed for a second, then she turned her face slightly into him without thinking, her nose brushing closer as she took in a breath.
She paused.
Then breathed in again.
Her fingers tightened slightly at his back as she stayed there longer than she meant to, her body not pulling away even when it should have.
He’s warm and smells really good.
She frowned faintly against his chest.
He smells... different?
Familiar.
But stronger.
She paused.
Then did it again.
Deeper this time.
She blinked.
Realized.
She pulled back a little too fast, her face warming as she looked away.
"Sorry," she muttered, her voice low..
A knock came from the door, and Iyisha stiffened as she stepped away first, her face warming as she looked down.
"I need to go," Malcolm said.
She nodded.
"Yeah," she muttered, clearing her throat.
