Page 93 of Unmasked

The third paused, and the guard behind him pulled back the hammer on his gun.

“No.”

Bang!

No hesitation.

Pressure from the shot sent the veil blowing outward. Blood sprayed onto the stone as the member pitched forward, falling face-down.

The fourth Judic bobbed his head. “Y-Yes.”

When the fifth came around, he didn’t even need to be asked.

“Yes.”

“You will converge and choose a new Magister. In the following weeks we will go over the rules and fix what is broken. This… will never happen again. If I get one suspicion that any of you are thinking of turning on me again—just one—a bullet won’t find you. I will.

I lifted my attention to the guard, moving my gaze to Able.

“I don’t care if I am on a suicide mission or not. If you ever—” He lowered to his knee, bowing his head. “Think to stand against me again, the guard will not back you. I will have them tear you apart. My decisions—my rules—my consequences.”

“Yes, Sire. Never again.”

I let the silence get heavier as they looked on at me.

“I make the rules. You follow the rules. There are going to be a lot of changes in the next few days—maybe weeks. We. Are. At. War.”

My voice roared through the large room—scratchy—hoarse—determined.

“We… Are…”

“The Shadows above kings.”

“We … Are…”

“In the blood that silence brings.”

I held up my hand, closing my fist so they stopped.

“Listen to it. Feel… it.”

I continued.

“We… Are…”

“The truth they fear to find.”

“We… Are…”

“The wrath they left behind.”

“Once… Again…”

My finger pointed at them.

“Born to rise.”

“Forever… more…”