Page 95 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

Now look at him.

Pointing a weapon at me, ready to shoot at any given moment.

"I am here to see my sister," I reiterate, saying nothing in response to his comment about my father.

"Your sister is not here," the man growls, looking me up and down. "Which means you, Kaiden, are trespassing-"

"Lower that gun unless you want to see if the heavens are real," her voice snaps, my heart sinking into my chest.

Lingering in the crowd of Officials, her hood is drawn, Elyon lingering behind the woman. Raising her head, we lock eyes, the farthest thing from a smile touching her cold expression.

Forest.

"Ma'am-"

Watching the man's eyes roll into the back of his head, he lets out a sound of pain, grasping my front in sheer horror before slamming to the ground in a limp dead state.

Taking a step back from the body, all of the Officials quiet down.

"I warned him," Forest smiles, looking to Elyon for praise.

What the fuck?

Where is Xavier?

Making her way toward me, Elyon lingers behind her, only stopping once she is standing before me.

Looking me up and down, we both lock eyes, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Forest-"

"Who sent you?" she questions, the farthest thing from amused.

"N-No one-"

"You're going to believe that?" Elyon questions, rubbing her shoulders. "I mean look at the boy, he trembles in fear, shaking as if he hides nothing but betrayal-"

"I can handle my brother, Elyon," she snaps, clearly annoyed by the man's presence.

"Right," he nods. "Of course."

Tuning her focus back to me, I try and think of a reason for being here.

"The others want to betray me," she whispers, her Call no doubt buried in my mind.

"So he ran to join his sister," Elyon finishes, fitting the pieces together. "Problem is, sweet Kaiden, I have no room for a Cleansed in my inner circle," Elyon mutters, looking me up and down. "Tell me what I am supposed to do about that."

"I have an idea," Forest smiles.

If comfort is what she is supposed to be making me feel, then this is far from it.

Watching Elyon's smile upturn, they both silently communicate, keeping me out of their thoughts.

"You sure?" he questions.

"If I fail, what's another body?" she questions, my palms viciously sweating from nerves.

Watching her raise her hand, a cut spreads across her palm, her eyes gleaming, their focus dead set on me.

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