Apocalypse Cult (Gray Spear Society) by Alex Siegel Read Free Book Online Page B

tone. "Take my seat, honey. I'll stand."
    "What are you doing here?" Aaron asked.
    "Just keeping an eye on you," Marina said.
    "That's not necessary."
    "Really?" She raised her eyebrows. "It seems I barely got here in time."
    Pete looked back and forth between them. "Aaron, you know this woman?" He sounded impressed.
    Aaron took a deep breath as he tried to figure out what to do. He couldn't openly talk to Pete with Marina hanging over his shoulder, and it was obvious she wouldn't leave.
    "Sorry, Pete," Aaron said. "I just remembered I have to be somewhere else. It's great to see you. We'll get together again soon." He threw twenty dollars onto the bar and left.
    He was angry as he stepped into bright sunlight outside the tavern. He hated being followed or spied upon, even by a woman as gorgeous as Marina. Not only were these mystery people invading his life, but they were being obnoxious about it. He stomped off.
    Rapid footsteps made him glance backwards.
    Marina caught up to him. "I'm sorry," she said. "That was awkward."
    "I was having a private conversation with my friend."
    "About us."
    "I have to talk to somebody!" he said.
    "You're lucky I stopped you. Any more, and I would've had to kill him."
    "Come on." He looked at her. "I know you're a tough broad, but you wouldn't...."
    There was no amusement in her eyes. "Secrecy is the highest priority of my organization," she said. "We protect it by any means necessary. If you have to talk to somebody, talk to me."
    "You?"
    "You can trust me."
    "Ha!" He stopped walking and stared at her. "You lied to me from the beginning. You used me. I don't even know your last name. Trust you? That's hilarious."
    He started walking again. A homeless man asked for money, and Aaron pushed him out of the way.
    Marina followed Aaron closely.
    "What are you doing?" he said.
    "Ethel doesn't trust you. She ordered me to stay with you."
    "For how long?"
    "Until she tells me to stop."
    He picked up his pace, and so did she.
    He couldn't avoid the irony of the situation. He was stuck with the woman of his fantasies, but he wished she would go away instead.
    "Why did Ethel send you instead of Victor?" Aaron said. "He would be more intimidating."
    "Ethel was being kind. She knows you're attracted to me."
    "It's that obvious?"
    Marina nodded. "You kept staring at me, like a hungry dog staring at a meaty bone."
    "Hmm. Sorry."
    They were walking east towards Lake Michigan. Soon he would run into the crowds shopping on Michigan Avenue. The height of tourist season had arrived, and parts of downtown were awash in sweaty families wearing brightly colored clothing. He turned south towards the financial district to avoid the crowds.
    Aaron couldn't let Marina follow behind all day like a lost puppy. He let her catch up and join him.
    "I don't like the secrecy," she said. "If it were my choice, I'd tell you everything." There was a long pause. "My full name is Marina Pavlova. That's the truth."
    He noticed for the first time that she had a slight Russian accent. Perhaps she was revealing a little bit of the real Marina at last.
    "Why do you have to be so secretive?" he said. "Do you have something to hide?"
    "Secrecy is intrinsic to our overall mission, and yes, we have plenty to hide."
    "You sound like criminals, or a cult, like the Church of One Soul."
    She pressed her lips together, then said, "We're neither, but the comparison is not unfair."
    "Great. I really want to join your crew now." He shook his head.
    "How can I explain?" She looked up at the sky. "Do you remember what it was like your first day as a police officer? You had trouble sleeping the night before because you were so excited. Putting on that uniform was like dressing in ceremonial robes. You felt important, part of something bigger than yourself. You were ready to make a difference. You wanted to be the best cop ever because it mattered."
    "I remember." Those days seemed like part of a previous life.
    "I have that feeling every day, all the