Page 120 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"I could ask you the same question," I whisper. "What the hell are you doing, Kai?"

Casually walking my way, he looks at me with question.

"I'm keeping my sister safe. Apparently, that's a concept the rest of you can't seem to understand."

Rolling the syringe between my fingers, my hand trembles.

Just enough to keep him down long enough to do what needs to be done.

"There are people other than your sister that will need you once the dust has settled... Me included-"

"Don't start with that," Kai hisses. "Don't get in my head and pretend like you care."

"Pretend?" I scoff. "Kai, no part of how I feel about you has ever been an act. We are doing all that we can to keep everyone safe-"

"Everyone does not include Forest," he snaps. "Or else you would not be standing here, distracting me from what your little Revolutionists have cooked up."

Glaring at him, it's hard to recognize the sweet boy my heart yearns for.

"Do you hear yourself?" I snap. "Do you hear how much you sound like-"

"Like who?" he hisses.

"Elyon," I mutter. "Kai, you sound just like him."

Tensing his jaw, he grips the hilt of his blade tighter.

"I am not going to stand by and let my sister suffer to save everyone else. I am not going to let my niece live a life without her mother because you all want to know a life without Elyon. I may love you, Aaron, but I love my sister much more. Whatever you were hoping to accomplish by speaking to me, I hope you are ready to be disappointed."

Closing my mouth, I grab his free hand.

"I wanted to say goodbye to you, Kai," I whisper. "I don't know how any of this is going to pan out, but the least I can do is say goodbye to the one man who made me feel less alone when I needed him most."

Seeing his expression slightly soften, he closes his eyes.

"Aaron, I really think you should go-"

Watching people retreat behind Kai, the window for opportunity begins to dwindle.

It's now or never.

"You can continue living thinking I only did anything out of my own self gain," my hand cups the side of his face, making him slightly flinch. "Or you can let me do this one last time before I never have an opportunity again."

Taking a risk, I lean forward, letting my lips land on his in a warm embrace. Ready to push me away, his hands land on my torso, shoving me away before tugging me just a bit closer. Slowly melting into the embrace, the Kai I have learned to love slips through the cracks of this facade, letting me kiss him with no boundaries.

Slowly dragging the syringe out of my pocket, I hover it near his neck, kissing him more aggressively the closer I draw the needle to his nape. Pulling away, his forehead presses to mine.

"I do love you, Aaron," Kai whispers, showing me the humanity I so desperately wish I could savor.

Nodding my head, I plunge the needle into his neck, watching the liquid course through his veins.

"I love you, too," I sob. "Which is why I had to do this."

Backing away, he slashes his hand out toward me, stumbling as he falls into the wall next to him. Slowly falling to the ground, he looks at the dissipating crowd, watching in horror as they leave him behind.

"W-What did you do?" he grovels as he watches me back away.

"I'm so sorry, Kai," I cry. "I'm so sorry you can't say goodbye."

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