Page 29 of Wrath

The people turn to look at me, surprised I’m not wearing chains. I hear men talking in hushed tones, but I continue to the raised area, where a shaking woman lies with tears in her eyes. I climb over her, pushing into her as gently as I can so I don’t cause her further pain. She stiffens, squeezing her eyes closed. I concentrate on her as I move back and forth, trying to last as long as they want me to. And when I feel like enough time has passed, I close my eyes and think of Wynter—her dark hair wrapped in my fist, her swollen lips from our kisses, and the way she clings to me as I . . . I stiffen, releasing into the woman and groaning in relief. Then I climb off and head back the way I came.

CHAPTER TEN

WYNTER

We stand in a line, nervously waiting. We were summoned into the guards’ quarters and told by Martha to line up ready for a visit from the forefathers. I can feel Jaycee occasionally looking my way, questions in her eyes that I can’t answer. And when the footsteps of men can be heard, we all stand a little taller.

My father is the first to step into the room, followed by the other three forefathers. The guards shift behind us nervously, and I notice Lenny isn’t amongst them. I begin an internal panic.What if they know about us sneaking out last night?I prepare a lie, but then a dragging sound is heard from the tunnel they appeared from, followed by two guards I don’t recognise pulling a lifeless body. I gasp as Lenny is dumped in front of us then glance at Martha, who looks just as shocked.

“Why was this guard alone with Wrath?” my father asks.

Alex steps forward. “Sir, he insisted on taking Wrath himself.”

“Why would he do that?” asks Anthony. “We all know how dangerous the warriors are.”

“If I may,” says Martha, “Lenny liked to think he knew best. He stated many times he was in charge, and he thought he could handle the warriors.”

My father sighs. “This proves otherwise.”

“Is Wrath in trouble?” I blurt out, internally wincing when all eyes turn to me. “It’s just, he’s the best warrior,” I add feebly.

“Luckily, Wrath carried out his duties and returned himself to a guard so he could be brought back to his room,” says Adrian. “Remarkable, really,” he adds with a furrowed brow.

“Well trained,” my father cuts in. “But let this be a lesson. No one should be alone with the warriors.”

He turns to me. “Come,” he says, leading the way from the quarters. I resist the urge to groan and follow him to his office, where he takes a seat. “There will be an announcement this evening. You will gather with the rest of the villagers, but you will not react.”

“What announcement?” I ask.

“If you cause trouble, you will hang.”

I scoff. “You wield your power and it will eventually cause a rebellion.”

He laughs. “Wise words for a slave.”

“Is that what I am?” I ask. “Tell me, how is your village better than the outside world?”

“You’ve learned nothing from being down there, have you?” he snaps. “I thought being amongst the lowlifes would show you how lucky you are, but all it’s done is make you more bitter.”

“I’m not bitter, Father, I’m honest. And that’s why you’ve shoved me down there.”

“I am no longer your father,” he says, standing and rounding the desk. “Remember that.”

“What does that mean?”

He wraps a piece of my hair around his finger. “There must be a place in this world where you fit,” he murmurs. “Maybe Iwas looking at this all wrong.” I shiver, not liking the way he looks at me. “After this evening, I will be the most powerful of the forefathers,” he says, “and the new rules I create, will ensure you’re used in a way that benefits me.”

He dismisses me, and I rush back to the caves with sickness in the pit of my stomach. Whatever he meant back there made me feel uncomfortable, and I need a plan to get out of this place . . . and fast.

Alex looks up when I burst into the quarter. “Are you okay?” he asks, standing.

“I need to see Wrath.”

He shakes his head. “You heard what they said, no one can be alone.”

“They don’t know how calm I make him,” I snap. “Please, I feel like it’s my fault Lenny is dead.” He groans, pulling out his keys before unlocking Wrath’s door. “Thank you,” I say, touching his arm as I head into the room.

Wrath looks over from his bed, relief on his face as I move closer.

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