Page 61 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"Once all the Revolutionists are dead, our war will be done," Atticus boasts. "But damn is their blood divine."

"I should be getting back to Forest," Elyon sighs, my focus centered on the man. "She has been a bit off these past few days."

"Leaving everything behind to fight a real cause? I'd be off too," Atticus says with empathy. "Though, I do hope my display here was convincing enough to show you how willing I am to back your cause."

Knowing damn well Elyon is smiling, rage builds within me.

"Let's go get you a proper drink."

Hearing the footsteps exit the space, we all wait minutes, no one able to move an inch, our chests barely taking in air.

Shakily reaching his hand toward the latch, Fallan takes the initiative to go first, all of us backed against the wall, the shadows concealing us from the light ready to give away our positions.

Slightly nudging the door open, the mangled bodies of the Revolutionists touch my eye, Fallan's head barely poking outside.

"Shit-"

Watching a pair of hands reach inside the space, we all silence our gasps, watching the man get dragged from isolation, all of us praying silently.

"I fucking knew there was another Marked in here," Atticus snaps, his focus solely on Fallan.

"Fallan Markswood," Elyon scoffs. "So, if you're here, it's safe to assume Xavier is as well?" Elyon questions, Fallan's eyes still adjusting to the light.

"What's new?" Fallan mocks.

"Is there anyone else with you?" Elyon questions, all of us holding our breaths.

Looking back at the hideaway, Fallan makes eye contact with me, his eyes lowering. "No," he hisses, kicking the door shut. "You should know I'm not one to put anyone before me."

Hearing nothing else, the men drag Fallan across the floor, slamming the front door shut, all of us siting in silence.

"What the fuck just happened?" I question, Niverna the first to speak up.

"The Prophet," she hisses. "There will never be peace so long as he is alive. But on the bright side, I suppose Markswood may have some empathy after all."

Chapter eighteen

Xavier

Covered in blood, the well-dressed young man finds his way out of the alleyway, my mind filled with a feral need to hurt anyone and anything in my way of finding Forest.

Taking a step into the arrogant son of a bitch's mind, he walks alone, those around him cowering in fear, bowing their heads with respect despite the blood dripping down his face. Finding a name within the depths of his mind, it all comes together.

Atticus Hawthorn.

Commander of the Precipice.

Snapping his fingers, his men drag someone along, the muffled yells of Fallan getting my attention.

Covered in duct tape, he tries to get away, my nerves escalating the longer I think about the others.

If they have Fallan, where the hell are Kai and-

I won't get answers by sitting here and spiraling.

Taking several seconds to take in the faces of those around me, Elyon's is the last one I see, his suffocating energy nowhere to be seen.

Still buried in Atticus's mind, a fleeting image of the one person I was hoping not to see touches my vision, her silver locks and beautiful eyes staring the man down with anger.

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