Page 108 of Scars Run Deep

I waited as she ushered the women past me and the trainer sprawled out on the ground still pinned by one knife.

When they were finally out and I heard them all clambering down the stairs, then Aurora shutting the door, I holstered the knife, then ripped the other one out, holstering it too.

As the trainer went to sit up, I pulled my gun and took aim.

He pulled the spider gag free with trembling, bloodied hands that weren’t working well at all after the damage Aurora had inflicted.

“This… what you’re doing here… it’s treason. To your own father. You won’t survive it.”

“I wouldn’t be worrying about my survival if I were you.”

“You think you scare me? I’ve been in your father’s employ for over a decade. Nobody inspires true terror like he does. You’ll never come close.”

“I do relish the shock that comes with my enemies underestimating me. It makes it all the more satisfying to prove them wrong. Faulty assumptions are the root of all failure.”

He started at my words, at the chilling calm to them, and I registered the moment he saw my father in me.

“This is a coup? Taking this house?”

“Not just this one.”

“Fuck. It’s all you? Do you know how much damage you’ve caused?”

“Not yet enough.”

“You think you can take his seat of power?”

“Not the goal.”

“This is bad enough. You’re crippling his empire. He won’t stand for this. Even being his son, his heir… now you’ve done this, he’ll end you, kid. And he won’t make it quick and painless either. I’ve seen him when things turn personal… he’ll… he’ll break you.”

I tightened my grip on my gun, swallowing down his words. “Not possible.”

“You’re wrong. He can break anyone.”

I stepped closer, the trainer shrinking back at the menacing air coming off me.

I crouched down and took aim at his skull. “I’m already broken.”

I pulled the trigger, blowing his brains all over the floor.

I stood for a few moments, taking in the macabre sight, breathing it in and letting it roll over me.

And then I turned and walked out.

I glared down at the messages that had come in while I’d had my phone on silent during the raid.

Scourge had finally responded back to me.

Private Number: The Heretics aren’t a new enemy.

Private Number: Didn’t need to do research, I’m already familiar with them. Delayed getting back to you because I don’t want you doing this, crossing them. But then I remembered how you are. Better you’re armed with intel that could help than going in with whispers and rumors, which is all you’re gonna get out of anybody else, because this thing is so hush-hush. Here it is: Heretics have been building in the shadows and operating real covertly for years. The name is so similar to the Infidels for a reason, son. They aim to replace them. To take everything they have and perform the ultimate coup d’état. When they act, they don’t use their name to keep their movements covert and off the Infidels’ radar. The fact you know it tells me they revealed it to you. Not good. Not good at all. It means they’re gearing up for that power grab, shit’s gonna come to a head. You need to step out of the way.

While Aurora had been talking with Caleb and the liberated hostages, I’d taken some time to absorb his revelations.

Once I’d gotten it sorted in my head, I responded.

Asher: I want the empire gone, not replaced by an equally malicious force.

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