Page 76 of Us Dark Few

Khalani’s eyes widened as everyone turned to stare at her. She anxiously jumped to the white-clothed table holding five open wine bottles.

The weight of every stare rested on her as she approached the dining table and slowly poured wine into Wyatt’s glass.

Khalani glanced at the Governor, who concealed his expression behind his hand. A yelp made her flinch back, and Khalani realized she’d spilled some red wine on Wyatt’s suit.

“I’m so sorry. Forgive me, sir,” she said, completely mortified. She hastily grabbed a napkin and tried blotting the wine, which only spread the stain across his white shirt, making it worse.

Wyatt slammed his hands on the table and stood up.

“Governor Huxley, with all due respect, I don’t think it’s wise to have any more Braderhelm prisoners working as servants at the ball. Or anywhere in Genesis, for that matter. They should be disposed of. Just look at the mess this one is making.” Wyatt gestured his hand toward her, staring down at her with absolute disgust.

Everyone at the table froze in their seats. Some people held their forks midair, as if they feared the slightest motion would incite an explosion. Khalani held her breath, waiting for the punishment to come.

But no one was looking at her.

Everyone was staring at the Governor.

Alexander Huxley’s eyes sparked with antipathy, but he leaned back and smiled placidly, his perfect white teeth showing. It wasn’t friendly. It was like watching an animal toy with its prey before it went in for the kill.

“Miss Kanes,” his smooth voice echoed across the table. “My cup needs refilling too.”

Khalani stiffened, standing ramrod straight. She concentrated on breathing in and out as she walked to the head of the table. Despite the cooler weather, a bead of sweat formed on her forehead.

The Governor held out his glass, and Khalani used both hands as she poured, sure that her heart would explode any moment.

If she spilled anything, she might just lay on the ground and make it easy for him to bury her.

“Ah.” Alexander took a sip of the wine. “Thank you for your assessment, Wyatt. I’ve been thinking more about disposable things. Some of the Braderhelm prisoners may prove useful.” He gestured to Khalani with a nod of his glass, making her wish she could vanish into the fabric of her silk dress.

“Most, however, are expendable.” The Governor leaned forward, placing his glass down gently. “We plan to address this in light of recent events, as you know. But in reality, this is all a means to an end. Do you know what else is disposable?Unruly councilmen,” he hissed, hostility seeping from his mouth like venom.

Before the words had fully left his lips, two of the Governor’s personal guards approached Wyatt’s chair.

“Come with us, sir,” they said flatly, hands resting on their guns.

Wyatt’s mouth fell open in disbelief as he turned to the Governor. “N-No. No. You can’t do this. I am a councilman of Apollo!”

Alexander took another leisurely sip of his wine and waved his hand dismissively. The guards pulled Wyatt out of his seat and dragged him from the table. Wyatt’s hollow cries echoed across the garden, screaming and kicking as he was carried away.

The guests sat deathly still.

Alexander Huxley was the only one who moved, casually grabbing another piece of meat for his plate. The next moment, a gunshot rang out in the garden, shattering the silence.

Khalani’s muscles completely froze as her mouth hung open. She glanced at Wyatt’s wife, still seated as she held her face in her hands, muted tears running down her face.Heads bowed, and no one dared to speak.

The quiet felt tangible. Physical.

Like an unseen hand wrapped around everyone’s throat, stealing their breath

The Governor cleared his throat, and Khalani whipped her head to the man who’d just executed his councilman without a second thought.

“Thank you for the drink, Miss Kanes. Quite tasty,” he quipped with a nod of dismissal.

She couldn’t nod. Her heartbeat thrashed in her chest, and she quickly stepped away to take her place next to the other servants.

Khalani didn’t realize the death grip she had on the wine bottle until she placed it back on the side table.

“I apologize for the unfortunate disturbance, ladies and gentlemen, but let us not spoil the festivities. Eat up,” the Governor commanded.

---