“How?” My hands twitch by my sides, wanting to curl into tight balls, but I leave them loose.
“My…employer wants something. Someone.” A malevolent grin appears on Kain’s face. “You give her to him, and he’ll trust you.”
My unease intensifies, and icy fingers of dread cascade down my spine, causing goose bumps to ripple on my skin.
“Who?” I ask, but I already know what he’s going to say.
“Izzy.” Kain spears me with an unreadable look. “He wants Izzy.”
Now, a day later, I can’t think of anything else.
My father’s mantra plays on a continuous loop in my head.
A great leader will give up anything—or anyone—for the good of others.
If I can find the person in charge, I can hopefully stop this war before it can begin.
But…
But there’s no way to guarantee Izzy’s safety. For all I know, the second I hand her over, she’ll be killed or moved or worse.
Can I give up my fated mate to save hundreds of lives?
In the cage beside me, Christian whines, lowering his huge, furry head.
I lean against the metal bars as my stomach churns, bile scorching my throat.
“I don’t know what to do,” I whisper to my brother, keeping my voice low so the others won’t hear me.
Everybody else is already back at the clearing, except for Travan and Izzy. Kyle, who went to look for them a few minutes earlier, assured us they were fine and simply talking.
That’s good.
I don’t want to see her.
Because if I do…
A great leader will give up anything—or anyone—for the good of others.
I wish I hated the girl. That would make this decision so much easier.
Now I’m stuck wrestling my own need to care for her versus my desire to protect my people.
My father would know what to do, but I’m afraid to ask for his opinion. I know exactly what he would say.
A great leader will give up anything—or anyone—for the good of others.
Izzy or my people.
Izzy or hundreds of innocents who could get hurt in this war.
Izzy or my conscience.
The decision weighs on me, a one-thousand-pound weight, and I know nothing will alleviate the burden.
Tonight…
Tonight, I’ll make a decision.
