[05] Elite: Reclamation (56 page)
Read [05] Elite: Reclamation Online
Authors: Drew Wagar
Tags: #Fiction, #Science Fiction, #Space Opera, #General, #Hard Science Fiction, #Drew, #elite, #Dangerous, #Wagar, #Fantastic, #Books
‘Hold!’
The cry was imperious, firm and stern. More words followed, but Kiri could not understand them. Their impact was immediate. The crowd became silent and rapidly dispersed. She saw feet running, raising a cloud of dust. She tried to turn her head to see, but found she couldn’t move.
Deliberate footsteps sounded, moving swiftly towards her prone form. She felt a hand push back the bloodied hair from her face and then fingers placed against her neck. For the third time she felt the peculiar tang tingle through her, less intense this time, almost comforting.
Are you still alive, can you hear me…?
Kiri felt as if a strange musical voice had said the words inside her head, it was accompanied by a sense of astonishment, anger and abject concern.
‘It’s her,’ the voice said, quietly. ’Did you see what she did...’
‘A slum girl?’ the second voice interrupted doubtfully, carrying an air of distaste.
‘We can’t afford to lose any of them, you know that. She must be one of…’
Is she alive?’
‘Barely. Be quick. Help me get her to the infirmary, before it’s too late.’
Kiri felt herself gently hoisted into the air. Her body cradled in strong but delicate arms. Her broken ribs grated painfully and she yelped in pain.
‘Uhh. She’s filthy and rank! Disgusting!’
‘Stop complaining and hurry.’
Kiri’s vision was almost a complete blur, but she caught sight of a startling cyan and magenta gown, shining in the sunlight.
Just like the flit…
Her working eye focussed briefly, seeing a sparkling pendant shaped like a tall elongated triangle. Her gaze travelled upwards to see a beautiful but ghostly pale face, a simple tiara perched on a high forehead with immaculate dark hair brushed to the right side with a distinctive silver streak.
A Priestess…!
Blackness abruptly engulfed her and sound faded into utter silence.
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