Renegade Rupture Read Online Free Page B

meeting,” Knob answered.
    “Tch,” Ranto scoffed as he walked away.
    “Very good. Now, when I tell you to inform Heaven’s Shelter of a meeting, how many trumpet blasts will you blow?” Narroway asked, putting an arm on Knob.
    “Two, sir,” Knob said. Narroway smiled.
    “Nothing but a city of fools . . .” Lamik said.
    “Very good, see? Just a big misunderstanding. Now come this way, and I’ll show all of you where you will be staying. How many more will be arriving throughout the day?” Narroway asked as he shuffled Lamik and his group away and engaged in small talk. Malik looked toward Gisbo with less than his normal fiery gaze, opened his mouth to say something, and Nina burst from the thickets with Fao beside her. Immediately, Malik’s face went white and he spun around and followed his father. Nina rushed past Gisbo with a hand in the air.
    “Malik? Malik, wait!” Nina yelled, but Malik didn’t turn around. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked, staring at the ground.
    “Nina?” Gisbo asked, horrified. Nina turned slowly around.
    “I . . .” Nina started.
    “You know that guy?” Knob asked Nina.
    “Not now, Knob. Go away. Nina, what the hell’s going on?” Gisbo asked. Nina looked from Gisbo to Knob.
    “Hey! I was just . . .” Knob started.
    “Gisbo, it was a long time ago. He . . . he . . .” Nina started.
    “Oh boy, I’m just gonna . . . Yeah, I’ll see ya later, Gizzy. Good luck, pal,” Knob said, patting Gisbo on the shoulder. Nina watched Knob go, afraid to face Gisbo’s eyes.
    “It’s . . . that came out wrong,” Nina said.
    “Please, no, please, anyone, anyone but him! Nina, did you . . .” Gisbo started. Nina walked up to him, grabbed his hands in hers, kissed him on his headband, and looked him in the eyes.
    “Gisbo, I . . . What we have is something very special. I don’t know if it’s exactly love yet, but maybe it could be? Soon? All I know is that I care deeply about you and I know how you feel about him, but he’s really not that bad of a person. He just needs help, help I couldn’t give him back then, and I . . .” Nina started.
    “Cripes, Nina, no, no, no! Please, you and him? Together? I . . .” Gisbo stammered.
    “Ok, fine! Yes! We were, you know, and, yes, he was the boy I spoke of, the one before you, ok? Is that what you wanted to hear? But none of that matters now! That was all in the past; it’s just you and me now! Besides, it’s not really a big deal . . .” Nina started.
    “Not a big deal?! Are you insane? How do you think I feel knowing that whenever I kiss you, whenever I hold your hand, whenever we do . . . oh hell, oh come on! How do you think I feel knowing that whenever I do any of those things, that he’s been there before me!?” Gisbo stammered.
    “Gisbo! Just calm down . . . listen to me!” Nina said as she grabbed for his hand. Gisbo quickly snapped it back and began to walk away.
    “Gisbo! Gisbo, wait! Where are you going? Gisbo! GISBO, PLEASE!” Nina called as she ran and threw her arms around him and squeezed him tight. “Please, don’t go! Please, don’t leave. Let’s just talk about this! He’s not a bad person!”
    Gisbo tried to break free gently, but Nina held on far too tightly. Without much effort, Gisbo broke free from her harshly, sending her down to the cobblestone street. Gisbo spun around, too angry to care.
    “HE BEAT ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS INTO A COMA! DON’T YOU DARE DEFEND HIM!” Gisbo yelled before walking away.
    She deserved that , the voice spoke. Gisbo winced and felt an enormous pressure build up in his head as he walked away.
    “Gisbo!” Nina called.
    She should just leave you the hell alone , the voice said.
    “Just leave me the hell alone!” Gisbo snapped.
    Nina breathed heavily and tears swam in her eyes as she watched him go. It was then that big arms wrapped around her and lifted her up. Nina spun and looked up into Rolce’s soft blue eyes. She couldn’t help it; she fell into