Page 10 of Drop His Mask

“I know.” He left the room. There were a million feelings whipping through him and he didn’t have the want or ability to pinpoint them all, but there was one that pulsated through his heart.

Jealousy.

As fucked up as it was, he couldn’t help but be jealous of Levi’s familiarity with the woman. He wished it were him that she relied on. That he wasn’t the one that put her in that bed. That he remotely deserved any of her affection.

He didn’t.

Chapter 6

Cherished Sacrifice

Julian

Five Years – Three Months Ago

Outside was a massacre. Guards and friendly faces alike were strewn across the ground.

Enemy or friend, they both bled the same. They both died the same.

His gut flipped and rolled and sloshed in anxiety. In disgust. In apprehension.

He shifted his attention to the training house, even from here he could tell there was a commotion.

Stepping inside, his blood chilled. Nightingale stood on the stage, behind her were hooded prisoners on their knees in a line, but he couldn’t seeRaven. On each side were cameras, and strewn against the walls were screens reflecting the stage with the word “LIVE” in the corner.

What the fuck?

His heart beat uncomfortably against his rib cage as he pushed through the crowd; it was filled to the brim with chaos. Every other person inside had something in common. Masks.

He tried to find Jayce, but the man was notably absent.

What was going on?

“As many of you know”–Nightingale’s voice boomed around the room and he found a screen to watch her performance–“this Facility is a cesspool of evil. We are stripped of our identities. Beaten as children, raped as teenagers, and forced into slavery as adults. We have existed like this for too long.”

The crowd erupted in applause, the man next to him pumped his fist into the air in agreement.

Her words caused his anxiety to skyrocket. Her tone was oddly calm, monotone,even. There was nothing behind her eyes.

Except that wasn’t true. While she tried to hide it, Julian had watched Nightingale for years. It was how he recognized her anger. Her darkness. A soulless creature backed into a corner for too long waiting for its chance to attack.

“We have come here today, together, to show the country that they are not alone. That they can join us. That we will stop at nothing to overthrow this tyranny.” Nightingale yanked a hooded person from behind, pushing them forward until her foot was placed on their back.

It took less than a moment for Julian to recognize the clothes, to realize who it was that Nightingale had pinned underneath her.

He was running forward and pushing through the crowd aggressively before he knew what he was doing. He ignored the protests.

He was still too far away.

Raven was lifted up by the back of her shirt and Nightingale ripped off the hood.

The atmosphere in the space shifted uncomfortably. Many of the people in this room would recognize Raven and those that didn’t could easily put the pieces together. The sisters were practically twins. Except if you knew them, then you would realize how different they truly were.

“Shocked to see my dear sister up here? You may think her an innocent in this, but she’s not. She is compliant. She has accepted the hostilities of this Government, of the actions of the Facility and donenothingto change their ways.”

The explanation seemed to ease some of the onlookers, but there was still suffocating tension weighing heavily in the air. Using the unease to his advantage, Julian continued to push against the masses. He was so close now, but the nearer he got to the stage the harder it was to move forward.

“Listen to her heartbeat.” She adjusted the mic, and the distinctThump Thumpof Raven’s heart penetrated through the chaos, echoing through the speakers.

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