Page 53 of Veiled Fate
“Please, no,” I moaned, staring at the platform as the last shifter was placed into the stocks.
It was Clive.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kiel’s hand took mine, giving it a squeeze followed by a gentle pull.
“What?”
“We have to go,” he said tightly, his entire posture rigid.
“These traitors shall remain here for all to see until they meet their fate this very evening,”Lycaonus said in the background. “I will not rest while anyone still threatens your well-being.”
The crowd shuffled and moved uneasily at his latest revelation. Executions? That didn’t happen very often. A mass execution was unthinkable. Lycaonus had lost touch with his people.
Kiel started to tug at me, pulling me along as he headed for an exit from the square.
“Where are we going?” I hissed, not wanting to leave Clive behind.
“Didn’t you hear him?” Kiel asked. “His men are already en route to the caves. They will get there and kill everyone. I can’t let that happen.”
“But the executions,” I said weakly. “Clive.”
Kiel sighed unhappily as we exited the crowd, some of whom were following our example and leaving, not wanting to show their support for the brutal deaths that Lycaonus had just condemned the other rebels to.
“I don’t like it, Jada,” he said, “but I have to play a numbers game.”
“A numbers game,” I repeated numbly. “That’s all Clive is to you, a number?”
The sudden fury in Kiel’s face as he snarled had me backing up against a wall. Several people glanced over, but none decided they wanted to challenge the furious giant, choosing instead to mind their own business.
“Donotput that on me,” he growled. “I am not choosing this. That asshole, that murderer, he put us in this situation.”
“I don’t blame you for any of this,” I said softly, truthfully. “But that’s my best friend back there.”
“I know,” Kiel said, clenching a fist and unclenching it repeatedly. “I know. But, Jada, come on, this is quite obviously not just a show of force.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s clearly a trap,” he said, gesturing back where we’d come. “This whole thing is designed to lure us out of hiding and into an attack in an attempt to save our friends. Lycaonus will be waiting with his best troops. They’re bait and nothing more. There’s nothing we can do about that.”
“I am not leaving my best friend to die,” I hissed through clenched teeth, glaring up at the much bigger Kiel. “Not again.”
He shook his head sadly. “And so, you would instead do that to everyone in the caves? You would let them die? There are children there, Jada. Innocents who have done nothing to earn what Lycaonus has sent their way. Would you sentence them to death instead? Hundreds against twelve. It’s a brutal choice, one that will never leave my nightmares, but it’s one I must make. If it is a price I must pay so that others will eventually live free from such tyranny, then I will.”
“I know,” I said softly as the understanding of what had to be done sunk in.
“I am terribly sorry. Moreso than you can ever know,” he said quietly. “But we have to go. His troops will be marching on foot, in armor, but they have hours on us. We have to run.”
“No,” I said, lifting my head, meeting his eyes, staring into their hard blue circles.
Kiel reared back, blinking repeatedly. “But you just said …?”
“Youhave to run,” I said firmly. “You must go and save them. Get to the caves, get everyone out before Lycaonus’ troops arrive. That’s your duty, Kiel. Mine is here. With my friend. You save them. I’ll save Clive and the others.”
He moaned. “Jada. No. You can’t. It’s a death trap. We just went over that. Even now, I’m sure Lycaonus has the plaza surrounded by hidden troops, ready to take you down the minute you go after the prisoners.”
“I willnotjust leave him to die,” I growled.
