Page 78 of Us Dark Few

Serene and Khalani waited a full minute before they emerged from their hiding spot. Adrenaline pumped through her body, thicker than blood.

“Did you he—”

“Shh,” Serene interrupted her. “They could come back. We need to go.”

Khalani trembled. No doubt if the guards spotted them, they’d be thrown dead into the bin along with Councilman Wyatt.

They busted through the house, hurrying back to the kitchen.

“Where have you two been? The guests are nearly finished with dessert.” The butler’s face was bright red as he charged at them.

She opened her mouth, but Serene beat her to it. “We got lost. We’re heading back now to assist. I just need to use the bathroom first, sir.”

“Use the servant’s one down the hall.”

“Someone has been in there a while. And I don’t think I can hold it anymore. Wouldn’t want to cause a mess in the Governor’s House, sir.” Serene’s face twisted like she was going to throw up.

“Agh,fine. Talk to the guard in the lobby. Tell him I sent you, and he’ll direct you to the one upstairs. You don’t go anywhere else,” the butler instructed.

The butler quickly ushered Khalani outside to refill drinks. She could feel the Governor’s eyes on her, but she deliberately didn’t make eye contact, praying he wouldn’t address her the rest of the night.

She positioned herself by the other servants, far from the governor. Her face melted with relief as Serene returned to the garden and stood beside her.

Serene’s body language was calm and composed, but her face held something different, a quiet determination and excitement that confounded her.

“Are you okay?” Khalani whispered.

“Later. Not here.” Serene stared straight ahead.

The sound of clinking glass tore her attention as the Governor stood up. “A final toast for the evening.”

The guests raised their glasses, even Wyatt’s wife, but her eyes were still blotched with smeared makeup.

“I would like to thank you all for joining me this wonderful night. I apologize for some of the excitement that took place.” He paused, looking at each of the councilmen.

Excitement.

Is that what serial killers were calling it nowadays?

“But I am deeply humbled at your continued support for the growth of Genesis and, indeed, the growth of all Apollo. When our ancestors look down upon us, I know they’ll be proud of all we have accomplished for the planet. I am excited to move forward and continue our important work and celebrate the rise of Genesis at the Anniversary Ball. Loyalty to Apollo!”

“Loyalty to Apollo!” the guests shouted into the night, and everyone downed their glass.

Khalani glared at each of them, hate filling the boundaries within her body. If there was anything she learned that evening, it was that no matter how moral and self-righteous people thought they were, the majority would turn their backs on evil, just as long as they weren’t on the receiving end of it.

She understood then that prison had forever changed her.

Because at that moment, Khalani wished she had poisoned the wine and killed them all.

21

I’ve witnessed the fiercest and bloodiest of wars in the battleground of my mind.

Khalani picked at her food. The brown mixture sloshed around her plate like the misshapen contents of her plagued mind. Messy and in disarray.

The Governor’s keen eyes following her closely as if she were a puzzle unraveling before him.

The booming echo of a gunshot ringing across the beautiful expanse, signaling the brutal consequences for those who dare step out of line.

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