Page 175 of The Order

“Get on your knees. Do as I say, and no one else dies today,'' Xavier continues. “Unless you'd like to keep murdering the people youlove,” he pushes, my heart racing with an uncontrollable rage.

My energy, once coasting, is now a full-fledged fire. I’m even doubtful at this point if the collar around my neck, though strong, will be able to hold back what’s contained within me. Lowering to my knees, I comply. His body moves closer to where he stands. The walls in my mind are back up by some miracle. The strength of that other side of me remains, Its presence alert ever since my father’s blood touched my lips. Xavier strolls around me, his hands running the gun along my neck.

“Just one small request, and then you can all rot in your cells for the night. I'll even patch up your brother's leg out of the kindness of my heart,” he says, his eyes wide.

Crouching in front of me, he looks me over with a smile.

"Taste my blood,” he says, my stomach dropping at the statement. “Taste it, and no one else has to get hurt,” Xavier continues. Fallan roars like a feral animal.

“A taste? That's all you need?” I question, coaxing my face into an expression of innocence and naivety.

“Yes, but it’s your choice,” he whispers, his hands running along his throat. “Because today is a day of choices, and whether you realize it or not,” he continues. “What just happened was not my doing.”

I look at his lips, my hands clenched. This isn't something he wants. It's something he needs.

My lips draw closer to his raised hand. Leaning past his hand, I slide my mouth over his cheek and to his ear.

“There will never be a day I fucking choose to accept any part of you. Rot in hell, Commander,” I seethe. His hands grab my waist, the rage visible in the taut lines of his face and set line of his mouth.

“Clearly, you haven't learned your lesson,” he whispers, his nose grazing my own. Pressing an earpiece, he speaks. “Send two men in. We also need a cleanup.”

Waving his hand, Fallan and Kai are released from their rigid positions on the floor, finally able to move.

Two Officials shove through the doors, ignoring my father, grabbing the boys before they move toward me. Holding me to him, Xavier moves us into a standing position, his hand cupped around the back of my neck.

“What should we do with them, sir?” one of the men asks. My hand claws at Xavier's wrist.

“Put them all in the Lottery,” he starts, his eyes panning down to me. “Put her in the first round. Give her a taste of what her friends will experience. Make those two watch…. And as for Andrew,” Xavier nods at my father’s lifeless figure. “Burn his body and save the ashes for our special guest.” Fallan and Kai snap, doing their best to get away from the Officials behind them.

Watching Fallan and Kai get dragged away, I can’t stop the tears from coming again in another wave. My head stays pressed against Xavier.

“I hate you,” I whisper, his hand around my neck squeezing tightly.

“I know,” he whispers, his tone low.

“That's what makes this all so fun,” he says, his lips brushed against my ear.

“I'll kill you and burn this place to the ground,” I whisper, his laugh brushing my ear.

“I do hope you try,” he says, the casual lilt back in his tone. “In the meantime, let's see how resilient you really are.”

Chapter fifty-six

Forest

AllIcanseeis him.

His light green eyes.

The way his smile was able to brighten even the most dreariest day.

It's a smile Kai carries and one my mother loves.

Even on his worst days, he would come home with a smile, ready to listen to one of Kai’s many rants or question me about my newest painting.

It was a life that I cherished.

A life I took away.

---