Page 125 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"You can," I whisper. "You have to."

Staggering back over to my girl, I rub my hand along her soft head, taking in all of her little details. As if she was pulled from the heavens and delivered to me, she is perfect in every way possible. Landing one gentle kiss on her head, I enjoy the sweet embrace as if it is my very last.

"I love you, little one," I whisper. "I will always love you-"

"Forest!" his voice booms from outside, causing us all to gasp. "What the hell is going on?" Elyon yells.

Taking it all in, every primal instinct in my body takes over my want to stay with her.

Protect them.

Protect my family.

Grabbing the back of Fallan's neck, I give him a weary look.

"A-Are you ready?" I whisper.

Tensing his jaw, he nods.

Giving her one last look, I let my reality settle in.

She will have a life.

Just not one with me in it.

Standing by the edge of the water, he holds his broken mask in his hand, keeping his guard dogs on high alert. Officials of varying ranks surround the area, each one locked and loaded, ready to take down any opposing force. Lingering in the tree line, Revolutionists and Shifters alike wait for Mason's word, everyone on the brink of creating catastrophic bloodshed.

"Darling," Elyon hisses. "Care to explain to me why you decided to run off?"

Dragging Fallan by the neck over to Elyon, I force on my bravest front despite the blood soaking through my clothes. Ripping apart, Valerie's stitches are moments away from giving out.

"I decided to follow a lead back here," I hiss. "Turns out Fallan is a rat in more ways than just one."

Tossing him at the feet of Elyon, Elyon places his boot on his hand.

"I could have told you that," Elyon hisses. "I'm talking about the secret you and Xavier have been hiding in your belly," Elyon Winnows in front of me. "Right here-"

Finding nothing, his finger pokes into an empty stomach.

Not a single heartbeat for him to hear.

Raising his brows, he snaps his focus to me.

"What-"

"Where is Xavier?" I whisper. "Are we done entertaining your foolish games? You are the one who ensured if anything was there, it would have died long ago. Now you stand here, questioning me as if I am the enemy when I have brought you a mole for your disposal."

Feeding into his ego, he shifts in place.

"Fallan?" Elyon sneers. "Care to speak on the matter."

Letting his foot off of his hand, Fallan forces himself to his feet.

"I won't blindly follow a leader that knows nothing but bloodshed," Fallan hisses. "I was wrong about Dove. I was wrong about so much," Fallan gasps. "A future where the silver mask lives will be the downfall to what mankind has left."

Driving his hand across Fallan's face, the slap sounds off through the air.

"Foolish fucking bastard," Elyon hisses. "I have given you so much."

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