“I’m going to slice one part of your body for every lie you tell me,” I moved the blade closer to his face.
The man’s eyes were locked on the darkened steel. He was visibly shaking.
“Demon! You’re a demon!” someone yelled from the back.
I moved my eyes, finally spotting the person who was shouting. It was getting hot on the clearing and the smell of sweat and burned flesh hit my face when I walked through the crowd. The knights made way for me, letting me cut through the rows. When I stopped next to a young man with bright, unwavering eyes and a stubbornly raised chin, I smirked.
“Do you have something to say?”
“You killed our clan leader.”
“And?”
“You’re the one who destroyed this city.”
“Is that so? Am I the reason none of you are willing to defend your own city?”
“No one wants you here. No one’s going to respect you.”
My hand wrapped around the back of his neck and I lowered my mouth to his ear.
“I don’t give a fuck about your respect.” I let go of his head. I faced forward and shouted, “I don’t give a fuck about your approval. I killed Rutherford, because he challenged me and lost. He gambled with all of your lives because he wanted more.”
Silence was my only answer. I walked through the rows of soldiers.
“Last night only three crawlers got in and were quickly detained. But this negligence could lead to the loss of the city. I need to know who’s responsible, and I am not going to repeat myself.”
“Sir, sir!” one of the men spoke in a hurried voice. “We only followed orders.”
“What are you talking about?” I turned.
“Steiner and Hof updated the orders. Telling us to move from the eleventh post to enforce posts ten and four.”
“What’s your name, soldier?”
“Vogler, sir.”
I nodded, walking to Sage.
“I need you to find Steiner and Hof.”
“They may not want to cooperate.”
“Take as many men as you need,” I said.
“From now on, leaving your post will be punishable by death. Did I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” the crowd mumbled.
“Return to your duties,” I commanded.
The line dispersed as guardsmen hurried back to their stations.
“What are you planning to do?” Sage asked.
I drew my sword, looking at the hardened steel as black as my thoughts.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
