Zara surprised him, but John remained stoic as he sensed no danger. He thought of how to approach things, but John did not like playing games.
"Zara," he began in a calm tone, his expression betraying his emotions, "are you a spy?"
"No," she said immediately and continued, "why do you ask?"
John’s eyes narrowed, "you realise how suspiciously rehearsed that sounds?"
"Well, I’m not lying. Why would I want to spy on you, John? There are much better candidates to choose from."
John ignored her sarcastic remark and replied, "that’s not gonna cut it, sweetheart."
Zara’s expression darkened, and she narrowed her eyes and took a step closer, until she was standing mere inches away from him, the heat of her breath brushing against his chin as her breasts pressed against his chest.
"Then, tell me what I have to do to gain your trust."
He gazed into her grey, almond shaped eyes and spoke up, "there’s only one way. Find the real spy."
Zara’s face contorted in confusion. "The real spy?"
"Yes. You claim you’re not the spy. I have to find out the real one then I can trust you. It’s either that or..." John’s words trailed off as pure murderous energy seeped from his being.
Zara’s jaw clenched, the fear visible in her eyes, but she remained composed, unwilling to show emotion in front of a man, "then what do you want, asshole?"
"You will be coming with me to find the real spy," John answered without hesitation, and she scoffed, mocking his hubris.
"Whatever."
With that, they left the building and headed for the courtyard. John glanced to his left, looking for Octavia and Zara asked, "where are we going?"
John ignored her and kept on walking, the light breeze of the early morning caressing his face and her black hair.
The courtyard was empty, not a single person in sight, which suited John just fine as he headed towards the gate.
This content is taken from freёwebnovel.com.
"Hey, John!" Octavia shouted as she spotted them, jogging to catch up. "You’re leaving?"
"Yes. Keep the refugees safe in our absence," John instructed Octavia.
"Where are you going?" She inquired and glanced at Zara with a frown.
"I need her help for an important matter," John answered without a care and turned around.
They walked the desolate streets in silence, only the distant sounds of monster wreaking havoc and survivors struggling for life reached their ears. The city’s landscape had changed completely into a full-blown apocalyptic city. It was rare to even see an intact building.
John could feel Zara’s hatred seeping through the cracks in her façade.
"Nice little haven of toxic masculinity you’ve got going, John," Zara taunted and he did not reply to her childish insults, keeping his eyes on the horizon.
Zara was in a foul mood, he could sense it in the way her aura rippled with negative emotions.
John used the Webs he had placed before the fight against Theodore to scout for monsters. He saw a horde of Clawbacks moving from building to building and led Zara through the ruined streets.
They stopped before a supermarket. The market’s windows were broken and the doors had been torn off their hinges.
"What’s next?" She asked impatiently, glaring daggers at him.
"You’re going in."
"Why should I do your bidding?" She retorted, crossing her arms below her breasts and pouted.
John narrowed his eyes, "either you go in or—," before he could complete his sentence, she interrupted.
"Or what, you’ll coerce me into becoming a part of your harem like your other little sluts?" She taunted with a smirk on her lips and a venomous edge in her words.
John sighed. "Who hurt you?" He asked, not really caring, just wanting her to stop pestering him. His words had caught her by surprise, her body freezing.
"Men, that’s who," she hissed, her expression twisting in a sneer of contempt, the hatred and pain in her voice was tangible, so tangible, it hurt.
"Do you hate me because I am a man?" He asked again.
Her shoulders dropped slightly, "yes."
"That’s fair, but if you’re not the spy as you say, then I’m not your enemy. Work with me, don’t forget you’re living under my roof."
Zara’s muscles relaxed and she entered the supermarket, clicking her store and muttering curses.
John had been tracking the Clawback’s movement through his Web and waited until it was time to act.
As Zara walked inside the building, she looked around at the empty shelves, only a few bags of chips and snacks were left. The place had long been picked clean, even the freezers were empty.
Her gaze lingered on a few Clawbacks, their sickle-like claws swaying as they moved.
"Hurry up!" John yelled from outside, interrupting her train of thought, but she did not respond to him. Instead, she used her ability, her entire body covered in flames, and with a few quick strides, she closed the distance between her and the nearest monster.
She leapt at the closest Clawback and slashed its head off with her dagger and as its body disintegrated into dust, she pounced on the other monster.
It snarled as it swiped at her, but she was quicker and dodged out of the way before beheading another.
A fourth and a fifth monster approached her, but before she could kill them too, a burst of mana struck one, slamming it into a wall and then another struck another Clawback.
Just like that, all of them dropped dead. She looked like a vengeful spirit from where John was standing and her impressive strength did nothing to appease his suspicions. His eyes narrowed as he used his Appraisal skill.
[Zara Kinsley]
[Age: 24]
[Strength: 21]
[Vitality: 18]
[Agility: 35]
[Energy: 40]
Her stats were indeed impressive, but that wasn’t it. Her movements were quick and agile, but they weren’t moves of a veteran, rather, it was her entire presence that caused his hairs to stand on ends.
That feeling of danger, what was it?