Page 99 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"I'll ask once more," the figure says, their voice indistinguishable from a man or a woman. "Where is she? Where is the girl?" they question.

Holding a knife to her throat, they drag it across her skin, creating a small cut.

Eyeing me and Xavier, I don't need to read her mind to know what she wants.

She wants us to run.

Looking over at me, Xavier tenses his jaw, his lips landing on my forehead as he embraces me in a warm hug. Startled, I let the tender touch happen, startled once his mouth gravitates toward my ear.

"Stay hidden," he whispers.

"Xavier, what-"

Shoving me back behind the door, he slams it shut. Breaking the handle before I can stop him, I glare out the small glance window, watching him peer down the figure as the focus finally diverts his way.

"So, you did have another Marked in here," the figure laughs, looking Xavier up and down. "What's your name, boy?"

"Xavier Evermoore," he says, glaring at the figure. "Let her go."

Looking back at Melanie, the figure scoffs.

"Let her go?" they question, cutting her once more along her front with a small knife. "The very woman that locked you up and used you as a lab rat to keep her little experiment company?" they question, clutching the blade. "Oh, how you have brainwashed these children, Melanie."

"Xavier," Melanie gasps. "Get out of here-"

Winnowing, the figure stands before Xavier, clutching the sides of his head, holding with a tight grasp.

"Perhaps you know where my flower is?" they question, burying their call into the void of Xavier's mind.

Searching and prodding, my Call stays nestled in the back of Xavier's mind, clinging on in absolute fear.

"Hm, you have love for her," they whisper, my heart racing as Xavier's eyes roll into the back of his head. "More than love, you are willing to die for her," they hiss, prying their fingertips into the side of Xavier's head.

Ready to scream out and slam this door down, I hear a voice linger in the back of my mind.

"Run, Forest,"Xavier whispers."I will find you in this lifetime or the next. Please, live for the both of us-"

"Well, no need to hold onto those pesky memories of her," they hiss.

Feeling Xavier's Call leave my mind, any and all connection flooding between the both of us is severed. "I'm sure you have far better uses without the memory of her circling your mind."

Watching Xavier slump to the floor, Melanie screams. Feeling the fear circle my chest, I cannot think clearly.

"Now, to find her-"

"Hey!" a voice shouts from near our rooms, a group of Officials funneling into the space.

"I think we found her," one of them grins.

All Marked.

All coming in from a way out.

Looking back toward the door, the figure in the cloak has not noticed me yet, their focus too preoccupied on Xavier.

Locking eyes with Melanie, it's clear what she needs me to do.

What Xavier needed me to do.

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