Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong Page A

I’ve got it and more, my friend. Where the hell have you all been? I’ve tracked all over this blasted forest and never once came across a trail of you. That just goes to show, you truly are ghosts of the forest.”
    Jinn watched as the man’s eyes fell on her and started. He was in love with her…or her sister anyway. The gentle look in his eyes was more than she could handle. By the file she’d read on him, Yoshi Tanaka was a martial arts expert.
    “Hello, Dennison. Miss me?”
    Jinn bit back a laugh and winked at him. “Sure, didn’t everyone?”
    He moved closer and knelt down beside her, touching her jaw with tender fingers. “I heard you were shot and drowned. I’m so glad it wasn’t true.”
    “But it was. I’m back from the dead, just like the rest of these ghosts.”
    The instant frown on his face made her regret her words.
    “Are you all right?”
    A quick glance at the Captain showed he wasn’t too impressed with the attention she was getting so she turned it up a bit.
    “I am now that you’re here.”
    “Tanaka, report!” Tab barked.
    “Yes, sir! I was with Seguire, but…I’m sorry, sir, he died from wounds received in the weapons fire. I buried him two days ago.”
    The team stood silent for a few moments in shock. Angel’s eyes filled with tears, but she swiped them away while Blackstone slammed his fist into a tree trunk and cussed up a streak that burned even Jinn’s ears. Seguire was a well-liked member of the group.
    Tab cleared his throat. “Before we go a step further, we’ll have a memorial for him. Atten…hup!”
    Everyone stood in a straight line tall and proud, waiting for their Captain to speak the words that would set their friend and colleague to rest.
    Tab began to talk, his voice hoarse with emotion.
    “It’s a hell of a day when we lose someone we admire and respect like we do Lieutenant Pavlo Seguire. He died in the line of duty, honor bound to protect others and keep drugs and weapons from entering North America. Though we can’t offer him a twenty-one gun salute, we can share our memories of him with each other. We’ll meet at Bysbies Bar and lift a mug to his life when we get home.”
    A lump of emotion rose in Jinn’s throat. When Tanaka moved a little closer to stand by her side, she accepted his offer of support and was grateful. She’d been through many ceremonies like this one and hated every minute, but it was a necessity of their job. The thought of his family and their pain when they were informed reminded her of her own heartache from personal loss.
    “Take this moment to give our fallen friend the respect and admiration he deserves.” Tab lifted his hand and held a smart salute for one of the longest moments Jinn could recall, met by each member of the team, including her.
    When he released it, they moved as one to finish their job. Before they left the area, Tanaka spoke. “Captain, I have one more thing to tell you. I found our target.”
    Again, silence met his words as everyone froze in place.
    “How far?” Tab asked.
    “Two hours south of here. I also have something you might want to take into account before we attack—they have your sister.”

Chapter Six: The Chance
    As Tanaka spoke of Tab’s sister, Jinn watched the commander’s eyes narrow with a glare of death then fill with the flames of hell. His entire body went taut, a tick in his jaw leaping along with the veins in his neck and temple. She was amazed to see the swiftness of the change in him. If she thought he was dangerous before, that was like comparing a lamb to a wolf and it intrigued her.
    “Fill us in. We head out as soon as we have the details and God help those bastards if they’ve hurt her.” His voice was low and cruel as his expression turned to granite.
    “Captain, she seemed okay, if not a lot different than I remember. It’s as though she doesn’t know who she is. I noticed that she’s jumpy, nervous, and unsure of herself. They’ve got her babysitting