I choked as I recognised the weapon from the mountain. A frequency emitter that tore through body and mind.
When Lucien continued to glower—his own thoughts filling with memories of how savage the frequency pain had been—the leader shrugged.
“Here’s what is going to happen.” He held up the emitter. “I’m going to give you one more chance to walk out of here on your own. To come with us...obediently. In return, these people will live. However, if you refuse or if you play any more tricks, I’ll press this little button and knock you unconscious, and when you wake up, everyone on this clifftop will be dead.” His thumb stabbed the button, sending a current of excruciating agony through us.
We stumbled together, breaking under a volt of skull-splitting noise.
The frequency stopped, leaving my ears ringing.
“Well?” the leader snapped.
The bond snarled with Lucien’s rage. I wanted him to burn all of them, but...the math wasn’t in our favour.
Even if he could kill a few...could he kill them all?
What if the rest opened fire?
Dillon would die.
Uncle Wen. Auntie Mei.
Whisper.
And...we’d be taken away anyway because—
We need to leave.Lucien’s voice slid into my mind, low and deadly. I agree with you. If it looks like we’re doing what we’re told, at least we can get them away from this courtyard.
I nodded weakly, cursing the throbbing pain in my hip.
Are you alright?His thoughts nudged mine in a soft caress. Can you walk?
I’m fine.
I’m going to fucking slaughter every single one of them for hurting you.Clutching me closer, he supported most of my weight and glowered at the man still pointing his gun at me.Just stay with me and I’ll figure this out, I promise.
I tried to offer encouragement, but another needle of agony made me gasp.
Sucking in a furious breath, Lucien raised his voice. “Hold your fire. We’ll come with you.”
The leader gave a satisfied grunt. “Finally.” Swinging the handle of the emitter around his finger, he grinned. “Took you long enough. Let’s go then. The sooner we leave, the sooner the others can get treatment.”
Lucien didn’t answer. He simply started walking, half-carrying me as we headed for the gate. A storm raged beneath his skin as he arrowed in on thethud-thudof echoing heartbeats, counting each one, memorising them, trying to figure out how to stop them.
Whisper chirped and chased after us, his large paws silent and heavy.
The panther pressed against Lucien, wrenching his master to a stop. A flash of despair as he dropped his eyes and studied his best friend. “You can’t come.”
Whisper snarled and strode toward the exit.
“Whisper,” Lucien snapped. “You’re staying.”
The panther roared with feisty defiance.
“Fuck’s sake.” Whirling around, Lucien glowered at the leader above us. “We’ll behave...but you need to let me deal with my cat first.”
Almost as if he was bored now that he’d won, the leader nodded with a roll of his eyes. “Fine. Just be quick about it.” As an afterthought, he added, “If you try anything though, the next shot will kill someone you care about, you have my word.”
Lucien didn’t reply as the massive panther padded back toward us, growling all the way. His golden eyes gleamed with protest and denial as if he already knew what was about to happen.
