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Lochlan walks up to me and rips the mask off my head. It takes blood and a clump of hair with it. One of the other men pull the mask off Tessa’s head, but he’s not as rough about it.
“Sorry, Miss Tessa,” he says, and his voice is low and repentant.
“It’s all right,” she whispers, but she’s wrong, because nothing is.
My heart is hammering in my chest. Lochlan is glaring at me, and nothing about his posture is repentant.
“Tell me what you want,” I say to him.
He spits in my face.
I have a limit. I surge forward and slam my forehead into his.
Hestumbles back. Someone grabs my arm. Tessa says, “Corrick, no!”
A gasp goes up from the crowd.
Lochlan finds his footing, and he wastes no time. He strides forward and punches me right in the stomach.
My hands are still bound, and I take the hit fully. It brings me to my knees, but someone’s got a grip on my arm, so I don’t go down. I can’t breathe. The trees spin.
“Please,” Tessa is begging. “Please stop this. Please.”
“You heard her,” Lochlan yells to the crowd. “You heard his name. You know who he is.”
That gasp turns into a nervous murmur.
“He’s been tricking you,” Lochlan shouts. “He’s been pretending to help you, while using your trust to execute more of you.”
“No,” I rasp. “No.”
“No!” cries Tessa.
Lochlan punches me again. I swear I hear a rib crack. I don’t realize I’m falling until my face slams into the sodden leaves underfoot. I cough and taste blood.
“Who’s lost someone to the night patrol?” Lochlan shouts. “Who’s lost someone to the Hold?”
A few cries go up from the crowd. Lochlan kicks me in the shoulder.
I was so stupid. I was so sure this was part of some mastermind’s plan.
I was sure they’d want something from Harristan. From me.
They do, but it’s not something I’m going to enjoy giving.
“Let her go,” I spit out. “Please, Lochlan. She had no idea.”
“She had no idea!” he cries. “Do any of you believe that? Do you believe she’s innocent? They’ve been working together for years.”
“To help!” Tessa cries. “To help!”
“He’s the King’s Justice,” yells Lochlan. “You’ve all heard of the things he’s done, haven’t you? Done to people you love? To people you care about?”
“Yes!” they cry in return. The clearing seems brighter.
He’s got the crowd.
I close my eyes. Maybe this is fitting. Maybe this is what I deserve.
“You know what he’s done,” yells Lochlan. “So let’s give him a dose of his own justice.”
The crowd roars, and the pain begins.
