Page 63 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"You asked for power, did you not?" Elyon questions, moving his way around me, his focus only on Atticus.

Where the hell are my girls?

"You can show me as many times as you'd like the power you are capable of emitting to those less powerful than you. You hold more gifts than Xavier, yet he bested you without a second thought. We can sit here and pretend as if you hold power in watts beyond the grasp you have over your hub, or you can allow Marked with real power to aid in your cause," Elyon snaps, grazing the scar across Atticus's cheek. "I can assure you, no Marked I have brought forward to you worthy of joining hands with has been bested by a child and has a scar to prove it."

Snapping his mouth shut, Atticus glares my way, his wounds now fully healed.

The cut it would require to have a scar that deep is horrendous.

I'd hate to meet that child.

Letting me breathe, I glare at Atticus, my mouth curling at the sight of him so flustered.

"Weren't prepared to put on the big boy pants-"

Surging toward me, Elyon presses his chest, stopping him from laying a hand on me.

"You pesky, vile Marked scum-"

"Ah, ah, ah," Elyon snaps. "If we are to be allies, then you will treat my daughter's fiancé with some respect, as well as her past lover," Elyon smiles, being sure to throw Fallan in my face.

Taking a step back, Elyon's hand runs down my back, the fine tip of a blade pressed to my spinal cord.

"Apologize to the man, Xavier. You have spent far too long away from Forest. Pain like that sometimes warrants a few outbursts," Elyon smiles, hiding the leverage he holds in this moment.

Biting back my pride, my spit feels like acid, my hand reaching toward the man, motivated by the need to see Forest.

"It has been a long journey to come here," I smile. "Let us find peace," I hiss.

Barely taking my hand in his own, the man shakes his head.

"I hope you and your daughter know what the hell you are doing, Elyon," he hisses, dropping my hand as quickly as he can.

"So, both pets came looking for her?" Atticus questions. "Isn't there also a brother I should be worried about?"

Keeping my thoughts away from my companions, I shrug my shoulders.

"We thought best to leave them behind-"

"We can still kill them, sir," one of Elyon's guards snaps, rubbing his arm, Fallan's teeth marks lining his skin. Forced to be gagged once again, they haul the man to his feet, all of the men around us impatient, ready to have our heads on a stick.

"I want them both. Leave her pests to roam," Elyon snaps, my stomach dropping knowing he already has knowledge of the others we brought with us.

Dragging me along, Elyon urges me and Fallan forward, both of us staggering, Elyon's nails digging into my arm.

Debating killing us off from behind with his pistol, Atticus brews with anger, doing his best to stay calm in Elyon's presence.

"Where are we going?" I whisper, my focus only on Elyon.

"Home," Elyon smiles. "Welcome to the winning team."

Chapter nineteen

Aaron

Tripping as we follow Niverna's trail, we all slip on the cobblestone path leading out of the alleyway, our shoes leaving a trail of blood behind. Barely able to stomach the atrocities that lay before us once we mustered the courage to leave the small hideaway, the mangled bodies of the Revolutionists painted the walls. Torn limbs and ligaments scattered the floor, eyes plucked clean from the sockets of those willing to try and beat the Commander attached to Elyon's arm. Slipping on blood puddles, the bodies create a vile smell, all of us gasping for air once we have exited the establishment.

"I know a way out," Niverna gasps. "We have to move quickly-"

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