Page 31 of Vengeance of the Gods

An emotion Bridger knew all too well washed over the young man’s face. Grief. Something he saw in Vega brought an unwanted memory up. He inhaled sharply through his nose, swallowing hard enough to make his throat bob. “I think I might be able to help.”

14

The sky was shades of violet and magenta, with shadows cast throughout the clouds by the tall mountain peaks surrounding the city.

Stella was known for nights like tonight—the chill in the air, the breathtaking sunset… but there was one big piece missing.

No one strolled down the streets, enjoying the gorgeous night. Laughter didn’t echo down alleyways or filter through the opening and closing doors of the businesses downtown in the main square.

Marlena stood close to the edge of the balcony overlooking the square, glancing down at the gathered crowd. She’d demanded the most influential people in Stella be present for a realm-wide broadcast.

A livestreamed video would start in…

“Three.” The woman behind the camera counted down with her fingers and mouthed the remaining numbers.

It was time Marlena made a statement. It was time she reminded the people of Tolevarre the power she had over them.

Their riots and disobedience would stop here.

“People of Tolevarre,” Marlena began, her attention fixed on the crowd, giving the camera her best side.

Her long, straight blonde hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, not a strand out of place. She’d kept the makeup light tonight, wearing a youthful look. Appearing as young as the last time she stood above these people in an emerald gown. She would never age again—forever twenty-two.

“As you know, the rebels have continued to attack, turning cities and towns upside down.” The narrative was easy. Make the rebels look like miscreants wanting to upset the balance of power Marlena had implemented.

The stronger you are, the more you have. It was simple.

The outlying territories without access to electronics of their own had been ordered into the viewing centers placed in their towns, built for when news needed to be delivered realm wide.

There wasn’t a soul in Tolevarre under Marlena’s control who wasn’t watching her right now.

A shiver of excitement calmed her, settling into the position she was born for.

“Commander Dimico placed a curfew on the bigger cities, but I believe it’s time we broaden their reach.” A few murmurs from below were washed out by the sound of Marlena’s voice echoing on the intercom throughout Stella. “Curfew, effective immediately, for all of Tolevarre is sundown.”

The voices from below grew louder, more agitated.

“Unfair.”

“Punished for their actions.”

Marlena kept her cool, reeling them in for the big reveal… The real reason she’d decided to make this a live broadcast.

A way to ensure I’m still ahead of her. Of them.

Marlena tapped her fingers across the balcony’s edge, her fingertips warm against the cool railing. “All businesses are to close before five, and restaurants are to cease operation indefinitely.” Marlena had wiped out most of Solum—the farmlands were part of the collateral damage.

Albeit not her most rational decision, Marlena would starve the outskirts without pause. Their food supplies would get cut off, and they’d be left to fend for themselves.

It would be of no loss to Marlena, because their lives didn’t matter—they were no one worth saving. Those people would be the ones flocking to Khort the second he swooped in to save the day anyway.

Good. Let them run.

The more the rebellion had to hide, house, and feed, the better chances of failure without much effort on Marlena’s end.

“Why are we being treated like the others?” someone yelled from below.

Marlena cocked her head, focusing in on the man she knew the voice had come from. It was easy to find him when she met his eyes, and it looked like he might piss himself in front of everyone. “I’m doing this to keep you all safe,” she lied through her pretty teeth. Sweeping her hand over the exposed collarbone of her dress, Marlena posed for the camera, moving gracefully. “Anyone outside after sundown will be sent directly to the mines.”