The Reborn Odyssey

Chapter 13 – Fire on Water

We were halfway back to the warehouse when the first explosion hit.

It wasn’t close enough to knock us down, but the shockwave rattled the windows and sent a flock of crows screaming into the sky.

“What the hell was that?” Joren gasped.

Kael didn’t answer. He grabbed Mara’s arm and pulled her into an alley. “Move.”

We cut through a maze of side streets, trying to put distance between us and the rising smoke. But the second explosion came faster, closer, and this time I felt the heat lick at my face.

Someone was targeting the district—and they didn’t care who got caught in the blast.

We broke into a run. Mara stumbled once, nearly going down, but Kael caught her and didn’t let go until we burst out onto a stretch of cracked pavement leading to the river.

The water reflected the glow of the fires spreading behind us.

“Keep moving,” Kael said.

We followed the riverbank, but the sound of boots thudded behind us. I risked a glance back—half a dozen figures in patched armor, carrying rifles. Not patrols. Raiders.

“They’re cutting us off,” I warned.

Kael scanned the bank, then pointed to a half-collapsed pier. “There.”

It wasn’t much, but it was cover. We ducked behind it just as gunfire tore up the dirt where we’d been standing.

Joren cursed. Mara was breathing hard, eyes darting between Kael and the burning skyline.

“We can’t stay here,” I said.

Kael’s gaze flicked to the river. “We’re going in.”

Before I could argue, he was shoving his pack into Mara’s arms. “Hold on to it and don’t let go of me.”

She nodded, and then they were in the water.

I swore and followed, the cold punching the air from my lungs. The current was stronger than it looked, but Kael kept them steady, pushing us downstream until the shouts faded.

We dragged ourselves onto the muddy bank a mile later, coughing and shivering.

Mara looked at Kael, eyes wide. “You just saved our lives.”

He shrugged, but there was a flicker of something warm in his expression.

I looked between them and thought, Or you just tied us tighter to whatever you’re planning.