“Then we need proof that Kole’s compulsion is working. Do it,” Athler ordered.
Kole grabbed the boy by his arms, yanking him off of me. “Stop fighting.” His body stilled. The only indication he was scared was the wet spot on his pants and the tears running down his cheeks. “Take the blade.” His hand reached for the knife.
“Please, don’t—” I cried.
“Slit your throat.” Kole didn’t look away as the boy obeyed. Gurgling noises filled the room for one second, two, three—then it was over. He collapsed on the ground next to me with a thud.
“Leave the boy there.” Athler grinned down at me. “I have a feeling there will be more to follow until she learns to behave.” He turned to Kole. “Watch over her until the King arrives.”
Kole stared at the dead servant as Athler and Arcane left the room, leaving us alone.
TWENTY-EIGHT
SIE
Every Advenianthat was able to was helping hold Tezya back. He was kicking and punching at anything he could, screaming at Kallon to take him back. I didn’t pity her, because at the moment, Tezya looked like he was ready to strangle her. She stayed a good distance back, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Tez,” she kept repeating, but the words were lost on him.
Dovelyn left her brother screaming and thrashing on the ground to follow the healers who took Brock into the medical tent. It felt ironic. The bitch got what she wanted and didn’t care what it cost her brother… or me.
“What’s wrong?” Savannah asked as she approached. She looked between Kallon, Tezya, and me, then at all the Advenians it took to hold him back from killing the two-haired girl.
“Scottie was left behind,” Kallon said softly, and even though Tezya’s screams were echoing throughout the camp, Kallon’s voice could be heard by everyone.
Savannah’s eyes flared, but she didn’t respond. She whipped a tiny object out of her pocket and approached Tezya, injectingsomething under his skin. Within seconds he started relaxing under everyone’s grip, his movements slowing. His eyes grew heavy-lidded before he collapsed with a thud onto the grass.
“What did you give him?” I asked her.
“A sedative,” Savannah responded, not looking at me as she recapped the needle. “A heavy one. I didn’t feel like having him murder my best friend today. Help me get him to his tent.”
I stepped toward Savannah, picking Tezya up by the shoulders. Kallon stayed back, sobbing, the guilt weighing heavily on her. But I couldn’t shake the guilt I felt too.
Trust me.
I thought she had a plan. But now she was imprisoned again, and I did nothing to save her.
Again.
Peter ran up to me. “What happened?” I knew he was searching for her, his eyes roaming the crowd. She was his friend too.
“They have Scotlind,” I answered. I didn’t look at his face as I walked past—I couldn’t. Tezya’s body was heavy, and for some reason soaking wet, making carrying him harder.
Peter turned around immediately, sprinting to catch up to me. “Is she okay? How did they capture her? What happened to Tezya? When can we go get her? Do you have a plan? We need to find a way to get Scottie—”
“I know, Peter,” I said, shutting him up. “We’ll get her back.” And I prayed to Pylemo we could.
TWENTY-NINE
SCOTLIND
I tried not to cry.I tried to look anywhere but at the dead servant that was left lifeless next to me. His blood had poured down his neck and made its way to where I was chained to the floor. I could still smell his urine that dripped down my back. I still heard his screams, still felt the sting of his nails digging into my shoulder…
“Where did you go?” Kole asked. I looked up and found him already staring at me.
“You can’t honestly think I’m stupid enough to answer you. I’m not telling you anything.”
“You’d be smart to,” he said after a long pause. “They’re only going to make this a lot worse for you. You’re going to tell them everything anyway, so take my advice and do it sooner.”
