Page 39 of Triplets for the Barbarians

A large crowd has gathered here tonight, much to my disgust. Granted, most of these people are military personnel. Judging by the confused looks on the faces of the few locals present, I’m pretty sure they’re not the Sky Tribe’s greatest fans. Then again, this faction has been losing popularity points over the past few years, mostly because of our decisive victories across the map.

About a half mile from here, across the vast historical center of Pearl City, I can see the hangar’s glass and steel structure rising from between the ancient buildings. Man, I’d give anything to be there and set the explosive charges the way we were supposed to. But I can’t. I’m stuck here, my wrists cuffed as I stand beside Shaytan and Blaze at the top of the city hall’s front steps.

Soldiers keep the public at bay, giving the platform enough space to stand out.

“You’re all a bunch of pompous pricks,” I mutter mostly to myself.

“It’s a most auspicious occasion,” Shaytan chuckles, placing a hand on my shoulder. I try to move away from him, but I can’t. My cuffs are connected to his belt by a short, thick chain, and he’s the only one with the key. I’d chew my own hands off to escape if I could. “I put on my best suit for this.”

He looks sparkly as hell in the evening’s city lights, clad in black leather with gold-threaded brocade patterns splashed across his massive shoulders and arms. There’s even more gold than usual woven into his slick hair and decorating his horns. Blaze opted for a navy blue and silver embroidery combination, though frankly, they’d both look better if they were screaming and writhing in agony as they were being burned alive.

They had me stuffed into a prissy pale blue dress with pearl and lace details. I feel uncomfortable and miserable, anxious to get out of there. Something is about to go down tonight, and I’m not sure how it’ll play out.

The Hadana twins may be in town, but that does not guarantee success. If anything, it could all blow up in our faces. I keep calm, however, feigning obedience and defeat as I gaze across the plaza, constantly stealing glances at the hangar in the distance. God, I hope our people got the coordinates for the Opal City long-range weapons.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” Shaytan tells me with a warm smile. “Blue suits you rather well. It makes your gray eyes sunnier, I think.”

“I don’t even know how to respond to that,” I reply, unable to hide my disgust.

“A little gratitude wouldn’t hurt,” he says. “Things could be a lot worse for you.”

“I doubt it.”

Blaze scoffs. “We’ll break you, don’t worry. It may take a while, but sooner or later, we will break you.”

“Killing my soulmates isn’t going to make me love you,” I shoot back. “If anything, it’ll make me want to sit and wait for the perfect moment to slit both of your throats. And you know me well enough by now to understand precisely how patient I can be.”

“Failure was inevitable for the Fire Tribe,” Shaytan says. “What’s happening now is merely a natural conclusion you must learn to deal with.”

“Screw you,” I grumble.

I lose my breath altogether as the crowd murmurs in agitation. Movement stirs the eastern flank of the square, and I see them—Yossul and Fadai. They’re in heavy chains as they’re dragged toward the execution platform. My stomach aches to see them like this, yet there’s nothing I can do from where I am being held.

I’m still waiting for a sign from Kai and Maur so I can free myself. Every second that passes while I’m in chains is a second closer to failure and doom, a second closer to losing the loves of my life.

“Oh, God,” I whisper.

Yossul and Fadai carry themselves with the poise of true leaders, their chins up and their crimson eyes defiant as they’re escorted to their doom. Around them, the soldiers boo and snarl, shaking their fists and cursing them, but the Kreek brothers can’t hear a thing.

Their gazes are locked on mine once they see me standing between Shaytan and Blaze. Anger, frustration, and acceptance burn brightly across their faces as they are led to the execution platform.

A squadron of mercenaries stands on the edge of the platform, laser weapons locked and loaded and ready to obliterate them. The guards test Yossul and Fadai’s cuffs, then leave them standing in the middle and return to their posts. They’re in charge of keeping the peace and the plaza clear so everyone can get a good view of the gruesome spectacle to come.

Shaytan has a microphone mounted on a tall tripod in front of him. He taps it once with his fingers as the crowd’s roars begin to subside beneath the purplish night sky.

“Thank you all for joining us on this most auspicious evening,” he says, his voice booming all over the neighborhood through a system of speakers. “It is with great relief and joy that I announce our victory over the Fire Tribe. Soon, we will have their capitulation. But in order for us to see those flags falling into the dirt where they belong, we must first draw true blood, the true blood of some of their leaders. Behold, Yossul and Fadai Kreek, two of the Fire Tribe’s most notorious chieftains—in chains!”

A wave of applause erupts all around, and people cheer and shout. The Kreek brothers keep their eyes on me, their shoulders back and loaded with tension. I’m still hoping to spot Kai or Maur somewhere in the audience, but I’ve yet to see them. I’ve yet to find that sliver of hope I so desperately need in these trying times.

“Once they’re dead, you’ll view everything through a different lens,” Blaze whispers to me.

“Once they’re dead, the entire Fire Tribe will come down on you here with the wrath of a thousand suns,” I shoot back. “You’re on the wrong side of history, Blaze Pyrin. We’re the ones with the cure for the plague and the blueprint for a better future for Sunna. You’re just the slaves of a toxic ideology.”

Blaze scoffs, but I can see the twinkle of doubt in his gaze. I’ve already given him enough arguments to understand that I mean every word I say. There is truth in every word, whether he’s ready to admit it or not. Facts don’t care about his feelings.

“Of course, we’re having a double celebration here tonight,” Shaytan continues. “As I speak, our starship is ready to take to the foreign skies like Umok did six years ago. As the Kreek brothers draw their last breaths, our vessel shall breach Sunna’s atmosphere and head to Earth, where plenty of human women will be ours for the picking. Our species is saved. Our peace is assured. Our survival is all but guaranteed!”

“Wait, what?” I croak, the words sinking in as I give Shaytan a confused look.

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