Page 173 of The Order

I hear a subtle click as the safety on Xavier’s pistol is disengaged. He looks between my brother and Fallan, running the muzzle along Fallan’s head as they lie with their stomachs pressed to the ground. My dad screams out for him to let them go.

“Choose, or I kill all three,” Xavier whispers, my eyes wide with fear.

"No, I-”

He pulls the trigger, my life flashing before my eyes. Kai wails out in pain, his hands reaching to grasp his leg, blood soaking through his pants and pooling on the floor. Xavier squats down next to Kai, pushing his finger into the bullet hole. Kai’s screams become deafening. Fallan tries desperately to get to my brother, but Xavier’s hold on him is unyielding. Feeling my energy surge, I try to think of a way out.

“Just barely missed a vital artery,” Xavier says, pulling the bullet free. “Damn,” he hisses, dropping the bullet to the ground, licking his fingers clean.

Kai cries out, his hands gripping his thigh.

“Choose.”

Fallan finally gains some control back and swipes his leg out at Xavier, ending up on top of him a few moments later. Tearing past his bindings, Fallan drives his knee into Xavier’s chest. Xavier lets out a groan, his hands pointing the gun at Fallan’s abdomen. Diving to the floor, I grab the letter opener, my mind racing. Fallan is seconds away from meeting Kai’s fate.

“I'm going to rip your face off!” Fallan yells, raising his arm above his head, readying to deliver him a painful blow. Xavier touches the trigger. His smile grows deviously.

“I'm assuming you need me alive for whatever you have planned,” I whisper, both men's heads snapping toward me. Holding the sharp opener to my throat, I press down hard. A small cut begins and the blood streaks over the metal collar. “Get your fucking gun away from him,” I shudder. Xavier’s eyes are wide, and Fallan’s face is shocked.

Shoving Fallan off of him, Xavier still holds him close, his hand firmly placed around Fallan’s forearm.

“Don't make me choose,” I say, sliding the opener a little further across my neck. “Put your gun down.”

I expect him to badger me with more mindless taunts. Holding his hand, he places the weapon down, looking me over apprehensively.

“Take my collar off from over there. I can tell you have the Hold. Use it,” I say, slicing farther, the cut coming closer to the carotid artery running up the side of my neck.

Fallan is unable to speak. None of the men have a voice. Their mouths are sealed shut by Xavier.

“Put down the letter opener,” Xavier begins, my hand pushing deeper. The blood runs thicker. My stance becoming unsteady as a wave of dizziness takes over me.

“Enough!” Xavier yells, waving his hand, the collar clattering to the ground. He moves toward me, his eyes wide with concern. Taking a knife at his side, he slices his palm, his hand raising toward my mouth, “Drink, you'll heal-”

Pressing his hand to my mouth, I take in some of his blood, and a wave of energy surges through me. The need to keep drinking threatens to consume me. He grasps my head, letting me take what I can. I can see the glow of my iris in his dilated pupils, and I remember why I’m standing here. My hand continues to grip the letter opener as the wound on my neck begins to heal.

“My girl-”

Before he can say another word, I drive the opener into his chest. His eyes grow wide, his words lost in his throat.

“I'm not yours,” I seethe, energy humming just under the surface of my skin.

Twisting the weapon, I feel the metal collide with his heart. He grabs me, dragging me down to the floor with him. His eyes, once full of life, are dull, vapid orbs. The blonde hairs on his head are darker. His face is more imperfect than I remember. Gasping for air, he tries to touch my face. My eyes shoot up toward Fallan and Kai, both their mouths hanging open as a silent scream leaves my brother. Not once had they moved from their positions.

“What-”

“Forest-” my father's voice beckons, my heart dropping at the realization of the man on the ground underneath me.

Unable to speak, I look down, my lungs unable to find air as my father's bloodied mouth tries to mutter my name again. Still grasping the end of the opener, I feel panic set in. The blow meant for the Xavier is now lodged deep into my father’s chest. Quickly applying pressure, I cover his wound, my lip shaking, my hand supporting his head.

“Forest-”

“Dad, don't speak,” I urge, my eyes frantically looking around.

“I need help!” I scream, hoping someone might breach that door.

“Please… I need help!” I scream louder, my tears clouding my vision, his blood soaking my front.

I raise my hand, ready to give him as much of my energy as I can. Shakily touching my neck, I feel the collar, my throat gasping, struggling to get air.

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