Page 59 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"Don't," Aaron whispers in my ear. "He is miserable and trying to bring you to his level. Don't feed into it, Kaiden," he smiles, ignoring Fallan's spew of insults.

Pressing his forehead to mine, I take a deep breath, allowing the asshole to struggle on his own terms.

"Hey," a voice bellows, all of us turning around, a figured cloaked much like us watching us from an alleyway.

Rasing our brows, Fallan stops his rambling, his focus suddenly on someone other than himself.

Waving us over, we creep closer, all of us startled once the figure takes off in a sprint down the alleyway, none of us hesitating to follow after.

Darting into one of the side doors of the building, I am the first to catch up, wasting no time to follow along inside, despite Aaron's warnings to stay back with them.

Stumbling into the space, my weapon is drawn, multiple pairs of eyes looking my way, blades pointed toward my torso, stopping me from getting any further.

Funneling in after me, the others are at a standstill, the door slamming shut the moment we all have made it into the space.

Fuck.

Pulling her hood down, a woman stands before us, her dark short hair pulled back, her eyes hazed with a film.

Examining closer, a white band is wrapped around her arm, the symbol of the Marked painted on its front.

"Revolutionists," I smile, her blade instantly dropping.

"You're her brother," she sighs. "You're the Apparatus's brother," she smiles, waving her hand in the air, all blades around us sheathing in unison.

Looking around the space, small circular films are being packaged away, weapons of varying degrees being boxed, a good ten people crowded into the small space.

"Barely an Apparatus when she's off working with the enemy," Fallan scoffs, a larger smile playing across the woman's lips.

"That was always her plan," the woman snaps. "Did you think she could lead a rebellion from the outside?" she questions, all of us dead silent.

"What? How did you know-"

"The Veils this society uses are useful in isolating when newcomers have made their way in. Given the way you all are dressed, I'd assume New Haven is your origin. I've heard of you, Kaiden. You're one of the Blackburns she was forced into isolation with during her time away from the light. Which would make you," she hisses, painting toward Fallan. "The cowardly unfortunate who was sleeping with Dove Morgan," she seethes, Fallan's cocky attitude quickly dying down.

Kicking at the ground, Fallan lowers his head, all of our focus on the development before us.

"Part of her plan?" I question. "What the hell do you mean?"

"Forest Evermoore always knew there would come a time when she had to get closest to the Prophet. When that timecame, the Revolutionists would have to begin their real work, burning down Sanctum's forces from the inside out. You were not foolish enough to think she left willingly? Were you?" she questions, all of us shamefully bowing our heads.

"Makes sense," she sighs. "She can be one convincing actress."

"Where are all of these resources going to?" Aaron questions, watching the Revolutionists work.

“To aid the cause, to aid the Revolutionists working with the Marked to overthrow the government." the woman smiles.

Reaching her hand out toward me, she smiles.

"Niverna Marlins. One of the newer members to this revolution."

Shaking her hand for me, Aaron sighs with relief.

"My name's Aaron and you already seem to know Kaiden and Fallan."

"I've heard stories," she grins. "Although, I am surprised to see you all within the Precipice. Did Forest not warn you all to stay away?" she questions, crossing her arms with confusion.

"No one wanted to listen," Fallan yawns.

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