Devil's Gold by Julie Korzenko Read Free Book Online Page A

shoulder and swung in a circle.
    Cold metal slammed against her back. Her teeth snapped together, followed by the bitter taste of blood. Shaking her head, Cassidy realized she’d been tossed into a helicopter. She scrambled back against the door, gripped the outside edge, and bent forward, offering her hand to the other two ZEBRA employees being pushed inside.
    Although dazed, Cassidy heard Anna’s cry for help. “Anna! Anna! Run, dammit, run!” Her voice cracked and disintegrated against the whirring sound of revving helicopter props. Panicked, she glanced at the faces within the chopper. “Where’s Charles?” The other ZEBRA scientists shook their heads, indicating they didn’t know.
    Cassidy swung around to search the camp and watched in desperation as Anna raced across the ground, little Georgie cradled against her chest. A small band of militia ran to intercept her. Cassidy screamed at the men inside the chopper. “Help her!”
    The helicopter lifted. Cassidy grabbed the edge to steady herself, ignoring the arm that anchored her in place. A man, black as a panther, knelt on the earth below. He lifted his elbow, pointing a rifle across the field. Cassidy followed the angle of his arm. Screams ripped from her throat.
    Anna glanced over her shoulder, then spun and lifted Georgie toward the helicopter. “Oh my God,” Cassidy pleaded, tears coursing down her face and blurring her vision. “Please, I beg you! Go back! Please go back!” A gunshot snapped, an alien noise against the rhythmic thud of the helicopter blades. Her friend fell to her knees.
    â€œAnna!” she sobbed. Fear flooded Georgie’s small face. A red stain spread across the left corner of his mother’s shirt. She bent her head and crumpled against the ground, protecting her son from the rain of bullets.
    Cassidy leaned over the edge of the helicopter, trying in vain to reach her. But they were airborne and nothing but a cold blast of air entered her embrace. She spun around and pounded on the nearest soldier’s arm. “Go back! What’s wrong with you people? Go back!”
    Horror gripped her chest, making it difficult to breathe and racking her body with uncontrollable shakes. Cassidy’s eyes connected with the hard gaze of the Black Stripe soldier. An emotion kicked in her gut. One that was all too familiar. One that she’d fought against the last nine years.
    Hate.
    It bloomed within. Fired by the power of evil that invaded the land below and fueled by self-loathing. If she’d been better, been stronger, been smarter …

CHAPTER 5
    Gardiner, Montana
    E DWARD F ISKE PAUSED IN THE CENTER OF THE CIRCULAR GRAVEL drive, the toe of his shoe grinding into the tiny gray rocks. The entrance to Livingston Golf Course and Country Club lay before him, its wrought iron gates mocking his poor attempt at proper golf attire. Patting down the strands of hair once again whisked away from his bald spot, he breathed deeply. He didn’t belong in places like this.
    Edward tugged at the pleat on his tan corduroys and prayed his inexpensive white button-down shirt wasn’t too full of wrinkles. He knew his clothes were out of place among the bright colored golf pants and polo shirts decorated with designer logos.
    A man beyond the gates lifted an arm and waved him forward. Edward hitched his overburdened messenger bag more comfortably on his shoulder, sniffed, and almost sneezed as the scent of freshly cut grass assaulted his nose. He walked toward the gentleman. Counting each step as it crunched on the stone drive, Edward concentrated on not allowing his nerves to publicly display themselves.
    He’d never met this particular board member. Actually, he’d not been aware that there was a member of the corporation positioned this close to his laboratory.
    â€œMr. Jacobs?” Edward asked, attempting to sound confident and at ease.
    Mr. Jacobs nodded and extended his hand.