Page 108 of Us Dark Few

Khalani’s pulse quickened, and deep lines marred her forehead. “Excuse me, sir,” she whispered when the guard walked by her cell. “Where is Captain Steele?”

Her head whipped to the side, pain erupting through her cheek as the guard backhanded her across the face.

“Did I say you could talk?” the guard seethed. “Next time, I cut out your pathetic tongue.”

Khalani gritted her teeth and nodded in submission, the sharp pain persisting as the guard walked away. She felt Serene’s gaze but couldn’t look in her direction. She couldn’t stare or concentrate on anything as her mind rippled through violent theories.

Did the Warden somehow find out about their kiss?

Was Takeshi released from his job?

Worse?

“Everyone to the pit!” the guards yelled.

Khalani’s head lifted in surprise. They were supposed to enter the pit at the end of the day. The other prisoners glanced around in confusion, but everyone started shuffling toward the pit.

A gentle hand grasped her shoulder. “Are you alright, Khalani?” Serene asked, her bright blue eyes filled with concern.

Her lips trembled, and she shook her head, desperately trying to maintain composure. “Why are they taking us to the pit?”

“I don’t know.” Serene frowned. “But we better go before that guard comes back. I wonder what happened to Steele.”

Khalani flinched at the mention of his name. Maybe nothing happened and the guard was just filling in for Takeshi that morning. It could be a simple explanation. But her heart pounded frantically as every prisoner in Braderhelm made their way to the pit.

Khalani’s brows furrowed as they entered the vast cavern. In the center of the room, a raised wooden platform, roughly fifty feet long and wide, was positioned over the fighting pit.

The Warden, dressed in his dusty black uniform, stood on in with his arms crossed and a cold, calculated look in his eyes.

His piercing stare swept over the room, briefly landing on her, but he quickly glanced away. Every guard appeared to be in the pit, standing at attention around the large circle of prisoners, with black rifles held aggressively in their hands.

Every guard…except for Takeshi.

She stood on her tiptoes, hastily glancing around the room, hoping to be mistaken. A warm hand suddenly clasped hers, and she nearly leaped out of her skin.

“What do you think’s going on?” Derek squeezed her hand tighter, his anxious gaze sweeping over the wooden platform.

“I don’t know. But I don’t like it,” she whispered back.

Adan moved beside Serene, the siblings exchanging worried glances. Grumbles of confusion and anxious chatter grew louder from the prisoners.

“Stop talking!” one of the guards yelled, pointing the barrel of his gun at the crowd.

Everyone instantly quieted, and the Warden smacked his lips together and held out his hands in greeting.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why you’re here.” The Warden’s calculated gaze moved between each prisoner.

“I won’t delay the suspense any longer. Despite your sorrowful mistakes, you’ve all been given a second chance at life in Braderhelm. Some have helped with street cleanups. Others have even had the pleasure of serving the Governor himself in Genesis.” The Warden made eye contact with her, and she swallowed hard, unease seeping through her.

“The Council and Governor have decided to reward your hard work by granting nearly half the prisoners the opportunity of serving at the Genesis Ball, celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the Great Domed City.”

Whispers of shock billowed through the crowd, except the four of them. Derek squeezed her hand tighter. Their plan to sneak the walkie onto Genesis and contact Hermes was slowly taking shape.

The Warden continued, “Our Captain, Takeshi Steele, has diligently planned security measures for this event and compiled a list of…deserving prisoners.”

Khalani’s heart released the weight holding her immobile when Takeshi entered the pit. No one found out about their forbidden kiss. Takeshi wasalive.

Derek hissed when her nails dug into his palm.

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