“NO!” I think I scream the word. A few heads turn in my direction, but it isn’t enough.
Aria doesn’t hesitate to lift her blade, already stained in garnet red, and slice it across Robbie’s throat. He doesn’t sputter or cry out. He simply stares blankly ahead, a single tear cascading down his cheek. He falls to his knees, then crumples forward, dead.
“Oh god.” Lenny begins to cry harder. “Please don’t. Please. I’m sorry. Please.”
The Divine One advances on her, and ropes of fire spill through my veins.
I’ve never felt so goddamn helpless before.
“Don’t look,” Beckett whispers, echoing what he told me earlier.
But I can’t look away.
I don’t want to.
I need to see this, to be a part of this, to offer what little comfort I can.
Lenny’s gaze snaps up, ensnaring mine, one of the only faces devoid of a mask.
I offer her a wobbly smile, tears streaming down my cheeks.
She looks so scared. God, I didn’t know it was possible for someone to look like that.
“Please,” I beg, though I’m uncertain who I’m speaking to.
The Divine One?
The POP members?
God himself?
The Divine One lifts her dagger and slices Lenny’s neck. Unlike Robbie, shedoesmake a sound as she falls forward—a strangled gurgle that reverberates through the room like a gunshot. Her tear-filled gaze doesn’t leave mine as she topples sideways, her cheek landing in Robbie’s blood. I see the exact moment the light leaves her eyes. The exact moment she sucks in one final breath before her chest goes still. The exact moment her twitching hand freezes, her palm splaying wide open on the bloody floor.
“Actions will have consequences,” The Divine One continues, and this time, I know she’s speaking the words to me. Only me.
I allow my eyes to narrow, allow her to see the unfettered rage coursing through me.
I hate her.
I fucking hate her.
And soon, regardless of the consequences, I’ll be her end.
26
ELLIE
I’m so fucking angry, I can barely speak.
At first, I was shocked. Horrified, even. But those emotions were quickly eclipsed by a tidal wave of anger so pronounced, it consumed all rational thought.
Aria—The Divine One—is going to pay for this.
I’m belatedly aware of being shepherded out of the room by a few of Aria’s goons. They say something to me, but their words go in one ear and out the other. The only thing keeping me relatively sane is the hand on the small of my back applying the tiniest amount of pressure.
Dominic.
They lead the four of us into an office and then leave, locking the door behind them. I don’t even care that they locked me away like some sort of wild animal. Right now, the descriptor is fitting. I feel feral. Out of control. Wild.
