Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Did you know this was his plan?” I growl, my hand tightening on the axe’s handle. One wrong word and I will swing and lop off his head, so he had better answer me right.
“No, he didn’t tell me.”
I focus on him, and his eyes are firmly on me. “You wouldn’t have told me anyway.”
“No, you’re right, I probably wouldn’t have. She is the chosen.”
“No, she’s not. She is Soren’s way of getting back at me for his sister. It’s as simple as that.”
“What did you do to Maya?”
“Nothing. I called it off with her and told him to go fuck himself. I don’t want his sister. I want my Caterpillar.” I smile as I turn to look out at the woods.
“She told me you call her that.”
I glance over my shoulder at him. “What else did she tell you?”
“I like her. It’s a pity she has to die tonight.”
“She won’t die if I can help it,” I state, starting walking away.
“I have a feeling it was all a setup for you anyway. We were told to let you take the kill. He wants you to kill her,” Arlo calls out to me.
“That will never happen. I’ll kill him before he can touch her.”
“I was afraid you would say that,” he states, and then he runs at me and tackles me around my middle, knocking me to the ground where she fucking stabbed me.
Fuck! Arlo has some power in him.
A scream rips through the air, and we both freeze. I take a second too long due to the pain that shoots through me, and he reaches for my axe.
Yeah, that’s not going to happen.
I pull the axe away and kick him in the gut. He goes flying back, and it gives me enough time to stand and lift the axe. “I’ll take off your head, Arlo,” I threaten.
He starts his crazy laugh, and I wonder how he ever became a therapist. He is fucking loopier in the head than the rest of us.
He bows and waves his hand at me. “At least I can say I tried.”
“Did you?” I ask as I hear her scream again. “Fuck you. If you get too close to me again, I’ll aim for your neck like I did to Hank.” I take off in a run in the direction I heard her scream, and I slow when I don’t see or hear anything.
Where is she?
What are they doing to her?
Am I too late?
“Reon.” Her voice is faint and desperate. I hear a loud slap and start moving. When I reach her, I see her on her hands and knees, Soren standing in front of her with his hands wrapped in her hair, holding her up. Her fingers dig into the dirt, and her knees are stuck in mud.
“Let her go,” I demand as I step closer, and he turns to face me.
“She is the chosen one, Reon. You should know better than to ask that of me. Do you want the honors? We know how much you like to claim your kills.” He laughs darkly.
“Reon,” she whimpers my name, and Soren yanks her hair to shut her up.
“You chose this trash over my sister?” he asks, and I can’t help the growl that leaves my chest.
“Yes. Now, remove your fucking hand before I remove it for you.”
Soren still wears his mask, but we all know it’s him. As the Lord, he has an L on his jacket, indicating it’s him. Plus, I would recognise his voice anywhere.
“You would give up everything for her? Is that ass really worth it?”
“Hank is dead,” Arlo says as he approaches, and two others come up behind Soren. I couldn’t care less who they are.
“Did you do this, or did she?” Soren growls. “You killed one of our own?”
“Don’t act like you’re innocent here. You’ve done it before, Soren,” I remind him. Just because not everyone is privy to certain information doesn’t mean I’m not.
“There are rules for a reason, Reon. Leadership and pecking orders for a reason.” He tsks. “You should know better.”
“Rules?” I laugh. “Since when do you follow the rules?” I yell. “Now, remove your hand.” I lift the axe, and his eyes track the movement.
“Even if you were able to strike me, the boys would be on you before you could get away. Do you think you can survive this? You’re outnumbered, five to two. And one of you is already exhausted?” He yanks her hair again, and she yelps.
“I’ll take my chances,” I tell him. “You’ll be my first, though.” I point the axe at him.
“We were brothers once, bonds so thick not even a piece of ass could come between us,” he says.
“But then you changed,” I tell him.
The taste of power made him hungry for more. He’s always been hungry—in life and in this Society.