Nadim was the first one to drop down onto the covered roof. His running shoes softened the impact of his thin frame. I could see the shadow of a lookout pacing back and forth. Assisting him in the timing, I signaled for him to drop down just as the dwarf turned around. He landed without a sound.

Timing the first kill was paramount. I wanted Nadim to do it near the tower's edge so Specs could land a silencing shot if it came to that. Luckily, things went smoothly. The only sound I heard was a short gasp followed by a subtle thump as Nadim laid the body down.

Sentry taken care of, I sent Specs next so he could take the dwarf's place. He made a little more noise but nothing anyone would hear above the generator's hum or the prisoners' sobbing.

Zoey was hesitant to jump the gap even if it was only a few feet. She took a few steps back and then leaped. I cursed because I knew her landing would be rough.

*thump*

Having overcompensated, Zoey landed hard on the far edge of the roof. Losing her balance she tumbled off the tower's edge.

Holding onto her wrist, I gritted my teeth and gave her a gesture to stay silent. If she panicked or screamed now, we'd all be shot. The bruised rib I landed on wasn't helping things.

Dwarven laughter burned my ears as it echoed from inside the barracks next door. Before it died down, Specs and Nadim were already helping bring Zoey down to safety. I lowered Zoey as gently as I could into their waiting arms.

"Touch my ass and your dead."

Nadim readjusted his hands awkwardly, not knowing where else to hold. Specs didn't heed the warning. When I let go, and Zoey disappeared from my sight, I heard the distinct clatter of glasses getting smacked off someone's nose.

Sighing heavily, I rolled onto my back. Mei gave me an approving look, but I returned it with one of impatience.

Everyone else transferred over smoothly, and we reconvened under the cover of the watchtower. Specs was pouting in a corner instead of keeping watch. Wait, no, was he looking for his glasses?

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Zoey."

"I told him not to."

Her trap shut when she saw the murder on my face. Mei took control.

"Nadim, find his glasses. Aaron, help me wrap the body so the blood doesn't leak through the floorboards."

"I found them. They are in the razorwire."

Fuck. I should have let that panda crush her.

"Nadim, follow me."

I pitched Zoey over my shoulder and jumped off the tower. Missing the razorwire, we landed safely on the lower roof. Peeking over the edge, I confirmed there was nobody hiding between the HQ and the cavern wall. No windows either.

"Let me down!"

"Behave."

She didn't scream, so I didn't drop her like bait. Keeping to it, I prepared my legs for the next distance. The added weight would make it slightly painful and I couldn't exactly roll upon landing. Honestly, she wasn't worth it.

I jumped.

And landed. My bones ached, but nothing got twisted or broken. Hefting Zoey off my back, I needed to grab her ass to get her off.

*Slap*

"Huh? You hear that?"

Two dwarves rounded the far corner. The first dropped when a crossbow bolt pierced his skull and poked out through his clavicle. Nadim dived onto the other one and stabbed him repeatedly until he stopped struggling.

I slammed Zoey into the wall.

A choked gasp punctuated the thud her body made. Staring deep into her terrified eyes I spoke deliberately and with a promise of further violence.

"If you ever do that again. The others won't be able to stop me."

Her legs tried to kick me away, but I held her by her throat until she calmed down. Only then did I let her breathe as needed.

"I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry."

Zoey was always more bark than bite. My muscles tensed before I let her go.

"You're going to get others killed with your behavior."

I grabbed one of the many shanks and flipped it in my hand. Dwarves always carried one, so I'd done some collecting.

"Here."

Rubbing her throat, she glared at me like I was testing her. I was. The others were about to drop down and join us. Nadim saw what I did, probably Specs too. The others feared me enough to look the other way if something happened.

I jutted a thumb into my bruised chest, which hurt. Then pointed my chin in the direction of the generator control box.

"Your choice."