Page 22 of Wings of Ebony
His voice is gruff and the lines on his face don’t move when he speaks. “Tracker in. Good work, recruit.”
Ignored. Completely.
Luke motions for me to drink up the last of the perfume drink. I throw it back and the General’s attention shifts my way.
He glares at me. “Who did she touch?”
Me? He’s not even asking me directly?
“This recruit does not know, sir.” Luke’s hands are glued to his side, rigid as a board. “This recruit can ask, sir.”
“Aye, yo.” I wave, resisting the urge to roll my eyesdeepin my head. “I have a mouth. I know how to speak. The hell?” The sass slips out my mouth before I can call it back.Shit.
Shock is written all over Luke’s face. And some other emotion I can’t quite read.… “You won’t speak to the General that way again.” His brows dent ever so slightly, like he feels guilty for his tone and detached posture in the General’s presence. I forgive him. I get it. Bossman’s watching. Last thing I want is him or anyone else to get in trouble.
“Well, please let the General know I am perfectly fine speaking for my—”
“Who did you touch?” he asks, his gaze a cold dead hand wrapped around my throat.
I search for words but only sputters come out. “I… I… ahem. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His lips straighten again. Behind the glass, Aasim’s talking with his hands, veins popping out his temple. He’s pissed. So that’s where I get my temper from. The Chancellor’s listening, it appears, still drawing circles on his chin.
“Get her ready for Unbinding,” says the General. “Chancellor’s orders.”
Okay. Okay. Losing my magic. I can handle that. And then what? Luke meets my eyes and I practically will him to know what I’m thinking.
“This recruit will do as you’ve said, sir. And after?”
The General’s stare leaves mine and I can finally breathe again.
“She’s to be banished, so you’ll need to prep for a memory sweep as well.”
Banished, as in I can go home? I won’t have magic, but that’s okay. And Bri, I’ll miss her. But I’ll still have my watch. I cup my wrist. My watch. Luke has it.
General Deo turns and my pulse begins to settle. The door clicks open and I catch a glimpse of Aasim still arguing and now pacing. Back and forth. Back and forth. What’s he trippin’ about? He’s got to know I’m fine peacing outta this place. The General’s clacking steps halt. He turns.
“And recruit?”
“Sir?”
“Use this vial of truth serum if you must.” A stoppered vial appears in his hands. “I want to know who she touched.”
Luke takes the vial with a nod.
Wait, what? “I’m not taking anything.” My hands shake, but I force the words out. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“According to whom?” His words slice like daggers. “You will do as you’re told willingly, or you’ll beforcedto do as you’re told.” His lips crack a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Chancellor’s orders. Recruit, get me that name.”
Words claw their way up my throat, coming out weak and desperate. “Why? For what?”
He stares a moment, unmoved. Then steps closer, my forehead warming under his breath. “Don’t you know? They’re to be killed.”
For several moments the world spins. This is not possible. He won’t. He can’t. He hovers there, glassy eyes transfixed on mine.
“Chancellor’s orders.” He paints on a smile, one that touches his eyes this time, before turning on his heels. The door clicks shut behind him.
I pound my fists on the door. My knuckles cry in pain, but I pound harder. I won’t cry. I won’t. They won’t see me that way.Moms raised a diamond.
