Page 133 of Veil of Silence

“You don’t have to pretend anymore,” Nora continued. “Whatever your real name is, you were a victim too. Help Preston come home. You can go home too.”

For a moment, the emptiness left Christian’s expression. Something frightened and hopeful surfaced beneath it.

Cross saw the change.

Uncertainty flickered across his face before he shifted Preston toward Christian and gestured at the footbridge with his gun.

“Take him across.”

Christian didn’t move.

Cross’s voice sharpened. “You know what you’re supposed to do.”

Preston stiffened. Instead of crying, he fixed his gaze on Nora and planted his feet in the mud.

Austin studied Christian. The teenager stood close enough to reach Preston. If he turned against Cross, he might be their best chance to get the child clear without anyone firing a shot.

“Christian,” Austin said, “look at Nora. You don’t have to obey Cross.”

Cross’s eyes flashed. “That isn’t his name.”

“Then let him tell us what it is,” Austin said. “You don’t get to take that from him too.”

For the first time, Christian looked directly at Austin.

Fear filled his eyes, but something else lived beneath it. Resistance, perhaps. Or the last pieces of a plan he hadn’t shared with anyone.

Cross pushed Preston toward him. “Take the boy.”

Christian’s hands curled into fists.

“Zander,” Prine said, “this ends one way. Put down the gun.”

Cross ignored her. His attention remained fixed on Christian. “What is rebellion?”

Christian went still. His lips moved before any sound emerged. “It’s the sin of witchcraft.”

The answer was flat and automatic.

Austin’s stomach dropped.

Cross pushed Preston toward him. “Then obey.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Nora pleaded.

For several seconds, Christian seemed caught between them.

Then his shoulders lowered.

His expression emptied.

He reached for Preston’s wrist.

“No.” Nora started forward, but Harris caught her arm and kept her behind him.

Christian pulled the younger boy toward the footbridge. Preston resisted, his shoes sliding through the mud, but Christian didn’t release him.

Cross stepped aside and trained the gun on both of them.