Page 110 of A Broken Promise

The room was spacious; bright, thick rugs lined the floor. A large, circular table took up most of the space surrounded by many chairs. There were only three people in the room.

I recognized Orest immediately. He wore his dark silvered armor, though without his helm. The burgundy curls on his head were longer now since I saw him last. He nodded to me in recognition.

A petite, almost too short of a woman, stared me down as I walked in. She was leaning against the table. Her loosely fitted tunic cut off at her shoulders exposing her very toned tan arms. Her shiny, charcoal-black hair was in a high bun with two steel spikes poking through it. Sides of her head were shaved down and a large tattoo covered her left side, starting at the top of her face and extending deep down her neck.

She stopped fidgeting with what I realized was Kaius’s ring, as herthin pointy eyes narrowed in on me, her already harsh features becoming even more piercing as she slowly let out a loud breath and clenched the ring in her small hand.

And then there washim.

The General was the only one sitting, resting his elbows on the glass tabletop. He was shirtless, I realized, though most of his body was covered with bandages, exposing only his well sculpted arms.

The soldiers behind me stayed outside the tent as I took another heavy step in.

“Free me,” I demanded clenching my fists tighter, trying to keep the anger at bay, though failing. “We had a deal.”

“Yes, about that…” He looked back at me and readjusted in his seat, stiffening a bit.

“Where is Kaius?” the woman interrupted him. Her tone, her face so intimidating. Menacing.

Dead.

But I wouldn’t delight them in that knowledge.

“Oh, it seems I am late to the party.” A seductive male voice sounded at my back. I turned just in time to see a giant of a man come in. He was breathtaking. His skin was as black as the abyss. His eyes shimmered with gold. His hair, braided in long, thick braids, with gold trinkets decorating them. And his face…there were no words to describe the complexity of his utter beauty. Whoever he was, he wasa god.

“Commander.” His perfect lips stretched in a welcoming smile at the woman near me. The god of a man exchanged a small greeting with Orest too and then looked at the General. “So, we finally get to meet her.” Amusement lit his face as he pulled a chair out and lazily sat on it, his gold eyes studying me.

“So did you really bite him?” he asked to taunt me, his face full of delight.

But I didn’t answer his question either. Instead, I took a step closer and spat at his face. The Commander raised her brows in angry shock and sharply turned to the General.

But the god of a man slowly wiped the spit off his face, taking a long breath, then he turned to face the General and Orest.

“I am sorry, but you two imbeciles thought that she was aCreator? She reeks of defiance.” Orest lowered his eyes, hiding an upbeat smile. The General just ignored his jab. The man lowered his eyes to my tied wrists, his face filled with concern.

“Did she not agree to join us?” He turned to the General.

But those words struck me harder than any whip.

“Join you?Join.You?Even if I am not a mage… I willneverjoin you. I would rather give up my soul than joinyou.The day will come soon when I’ll dance on your bones and watch each one of you be brutally slaughtered by the Rebels. Justice will come for you, and I for one hope you all choke on your own ashes for eternity,” I angrily hissed.

“Rebels?” Xentar now turned again to the General. “Oh Gideon… you haven’t told her?” He rubbed his face with both of his hands.

“Between her proactively attempting to murder me, the glide attacking us and finding Kaius’s ring, I haven’t had a chance, but was about to before somebody interrupted me.” He looked at Zora.

She folded her arms tight. “I still think it’s a bad idea to tell heranythingbefore she gives us answers first, Gideon.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

Gideon?

Gideon.

Gideon.

My face widened in shock as my mind frantically connected the dots. My heart slowed to an almost nonexistent beat.

“Tell me what?”

“Wearethe Rebels, princess.” Xentar smiled at me.

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