Page 183 of The Order

“I’ve decided on new terms to our fun little game,” he says, forcing me to look at him. “The only way you will leave that pit is if all your friends are dead and you are on your knees begging for me to save you.”

“I will never get on my knees for you!” I yell, forcing myself to stand tall.

“You’re a coward,” I hiss, his eyes growing wide with rage.

“I hope you get a good, final look at your friends in your holding cell tonight,” he jeers, dragging me along. Taking the knife, he cuts my side, carving a small X, branding me like livestock. “Because it's the last night you’ll ever spend with them.”

I claw at his grip as he drags me away from the crowd of elites.

Despite the blood I draw, he moves forward, my grunts becoming yells as the strain of his grasp on my hair only increases, sending a wave of pain through my skull and down my neck. I see the others being forced into their holding cells. I hang on to their familiar voices.

Forcing one of Xavier's guards into a wall, Fallan manages to break free. He barrels toward Xavier, ready to tear him apart.

“Enjoy your last moments together,” Xavier hisses, forcing me forward, my body colliding with Fallan’s, both of us stumbling into a cell.

Hitting the floor, we watch the door swing closed, our hands scrambling to find one another. His lacerated palms cup my face. Up close, I can see how badly he’s been hurt. My lip quivers at the sight of every cut and bruise. Running my thumb along his swollen lip, I press my forehead to his. He lets out a sigh of relief, pulling me to his chest.

“Pathetic.”

Hunter, Kai, and Valerie huddle close by, glaring out at Xavier contemptuously.

“The thought of you becoming a lifeless corpse brings me joy. See you soon, street rat,” Xavier says, his eyes on Fallan. He turns to leave us.

“Does it make you miserable?” Fallan questions, Xavier pausing his steps.

“Doeswhatmake me miserable?”

“Knowing you'll never have her,” Fallan snarls, his arms tightening around me.

Xavier says nothing, his hand touching his throat. Clenching his jaw, he gives me a final look, waiting for me to say something. I feel a well of emotion in my chest as I watch him, unsure why I can't stop the flood of tears from falling.

After a few moments, Xavier backs away, his front still to us.

“Death is a kind ending in this cruel world. Consider tomorrow as an opportunity to be free of a life I don’t wish on anyone.”

“Then why keep me alive if you’re doing everyone else such a kindness?” I spit, my eyes demanding that he answer me this time.

“Misery loves company, Forest,” he begins, his eyes panning to Fallan.

“And I’m the most miserable of them all.”

Chapter fifty-eight

Forest

“Hetoldusifwe kept trying to escape, he’d activate our chips and let our brains bleed out,” Kai whispers, his head pressed to the rusted bars of the cell.

Hunter and Valerie lean on my brother, their exhaustion and hunger making it nearly impossible for them to sit upright. To my surprise, Valerie’s arm had been bandaged. The light is gone from her expression. Her gaze is lost in a mindless headspace. Hunter is slowly fading into despair. His mouth is pressed into a thin line as he stares into nothingness.

Kai stays alert, looking to me for any shred of hope, but I’m out of ideas, and we’re running out of time.

My back is leaned into Fallan, his arms wrapped around me, pulling me between his legs. I listen to the steady beating of his heart as his thumbs trail circles up and down my arms. I keep my face pressed to him, trying to come up with a plan to get us out of here alive.

Every solution ends with me staying behind.

But it would be worth it. Even if it meant an eternity of hell with Xavier, them escaping a slow, agonizing death-

“Stop thinking about staying here while the rest of us leave. It’s not an option. I won’t let you do it,” Fallan says, his eyes still closed, his head leaning against the cell bars.

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