Destroyers of the Lost Garden (The Lost Garden Trilogy Book 3) by K.T. Tomb Read Free Book Online Page B

against the superhuman feat. Metal creaked and eventually cracked as Ellisia fell backward. She rubbed her arms, took a breath, and then went back to work. She slipped her fingers into the new opening that she had created and placed each fingertip against the door. She then followed the door with her fingers and pushed on through to find the door’s end. The skin on the back of her fingers was being slowly scraped off as she let out pained grunts. She didn’t stop, no matter how painful it was. The others moved to help her but Sulina raised a hand to stop them.
    Ellisia’s arm muscles once again were taxed to the limit. She leaned back and placed one foot on the edge of the door frame to brace herself as she pulled the door toward her. They watched her intently.
    The metal door started to give, to the amazement of the others, including Sulina. The metal started to bend just a bit as Sulina saw the opening. It was about an inch, but it increased with each breath by Ellisia. Once the opening was about a foot, Ellisia reversed positions. She placed her back against the edge where she had her foot and started to push the door out. It slid another foot before it bent downward. There was just enough of an opening for a human being to get through…or a Fallen.
    “Well done Ellisia, you do not disappoint.”
    Sulina stepped halfway through the opening and looked back at her followers.
    “I want Morina to bring up the rear. The rest can come in in whatever order.”
    Ellisia walked up to Sulina before she disappeared into the lair. Blood dripped steadily from her knuckles.
    “Are we going to reactivate the lair?”
    Sulina smiled as she placed her hand gently on Ellisia’s shoulder.
    “My dear. The virus should have taken that option away from us. Our task is much different. In order for my takeover of Eden to be complete, I need to know if my good-hearted sister is still alive.”

 
    Chapter Ten
     
    Knight and Jess had to abandon the tank and hike the rest of the way. It had served its purpose; getting them up the mountain road much faster than if they had decided to walk. When they finally found the river, they followed it to a point where it appeared to just stop at ground level, despite the fact that it still flowed.
    Knight tightened his lips and looked at Jess.
    “Underground. We have to follow the river underground. I would ask if you can swim, but I assume that it was part of your all-encompassing training.”
    Jess looked surprised.
    “How can you be so selfish, Evan Knight? Did you not hear that explosion? Your friend could be…”
    “Don’t say that!” he interrupted. “Don’t ever say that! He’s okay. I know he’s okay. Besides, isn’t saving Eden the bigger mission here?”
    “Don’t mock me, Evan Knight,” Jess barked. She frowned as she continued, “I know the mission. I just thought that showing no emotion for a friend is not part of your all-encompassing training.”
    Knight grimaced as he moved in close to Jess.
    “Of all the things that you learned from me, sarcasm is my least favorite. We‘re wasting time, Jess.”
    She looked at a small crevice that the river drained into under the mountain. She looked back at Knight.
    “I feel when my sisters are in pain. I have ignored the pain I have felt since we arrived. Not because I do not care, but because I honor them in my heart.”
    That being said, she dived into the crevice and disappeared from sight.
    “This hasn’t been easy for me either, Jess,” Knight sighed as he took a deep breath and eased his way into the 3 foot wide opening.
     
    ***
     
    Knight was swept along by the furious underground torrent. The darkness made it more frightening when he was slammed into the rock wall around each turn. He tumbled and spun while trying to hold his breath. He tried to get into a fetal position to prevent any damage to his limbs, or more importantly his head .
    That’s where he realized he made his biggest mistake.
    Holding his breath while