Page 108 of Hell Breaks Loose

At the paused battle around us.

And everyone in the world, in my world, looking at me for an answer. Like I’m the one who is supposed to make the call.

“Well, Hellena? Are you going to stop me?” Rachelle scoffs, shaking her head.

“I just want my friends to survive this. I want my town to live, Aunt Rachelle. I think that’s what you want too.”

“You’re not wrong. But neither was Devonde. I see it now. Which is why I made them, my children. Why I let the town fester and rot in the wake of this flood instead of trying to help those sad, ignorant citizens. Sometimes, it’s better to let a thing die than continue in its corruption.”

“What are you saying? That you want Sanctum to die?”

“So that I can birth a new home. Yes.”

She really is completely gone. I see it in the mumble of her lips. The distant look in her eyes.

“You have a choice to make. Every one of you. Keep fighting and die, or join us. It makes no difference to me. The war will get me what I want as quickly as capitulation will. But know that if you come to me willingly, I will not force Devotion on you. You can help us move on to greatness. And of course, I will make each and every one of you wealthier than you ever imagined.”

“How?!” Marco shouts, his face sagging, haggard. “You’re tapped out.”

“No, Marco. I have enough to see this done. And unlike you, I won’t hesitate to take what we need from other towns. Other cities. We will swarm the coast and not a government on the planet can stop us.”

“Your army is unarmed.” Marco chuckles, devolving into a coughing fit.

“Think again. Devonde inadvertently uncovered my ace in the hole when he destroyed the reservoir and flooded the town. A hidden stockpile of weapons and money sank to the bottom of the lake. I believe I have my brother to thank for that one.” Her grin spreads as she looks at me.

“You found Damon’s stash?” I balk, leaning into the surprise. Because this much I know. He had several hiding spots all over town.

His journal alluded to them but didn’t say where they were.

It also said that they were decoys.

Huge shocker, my father using misdirection.

“I found a stash. And it’s more than enough to get the ball rolling downhill.” She raises her voice again over the speaker. “So, what will it be?”

Across the lawn, Marco’s soldiers, Block bikers, my friends, all look at one another. At the wild maniacs surrounding them. The overwhelming odds.

And so many, too many, raise their weapons. Their fists.

“Anyone who would join me need only say the words. Swear yourself to the Herald. To the Seven.” She repeats it. “To the Herald. To the Seven.”

Silence meets her words at first. Wide-eyed stares. Fear.

Rachelle scans the crowd, a sneer spreading across her face.

Several seconds pass and her minions grow restless, start to get aggressive again, shouting her name. Threatening to attack.

“I told you. My people are loyal. No one will join you.”

“Fine. If that’s the case, then I’ll flip the script.”

Rachelle whirls on Marco, clawing her fingers into his shirt collar, yanking him back to his knees.

And jamming a bright yellow syringe into his neck.

“No!” Marco shrieks, thrashing in her grip.

I’m shaking, backing away from the horror show before me as he starts to thrash on the ground, blood smearing all over him and froth bubbling from his lips.

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