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Hooded figures crowded around us, several branching off to stand right at Rainer’s back.
Jari slid his hand down to hold mine, his fingers giving me a light squeeze. “You’re going to have to give us more to go on. As far as we’re concerned, you’re a weak nuisance compared to the real villains of the story.”
Rainer laughed. “What do you mean? I’ve successfully cracked three governments and my Zien guards have already started managing the local offices, police forces, and drug companies. If I was such a waste of space, I doubt I would have been able to do all of that.”
“Who do you think the real powers are here?” Rand asked as he stood, brushing his knees off. He avoided contact with Rainer until the very last second, and when he did lift his gaze, hurt sparked in the depths of his eyes.
“Son, I’ve tried to teach you how the realms work. Our system, it’s not working. It’s collapsing as we speak. Someone will rise to the top. It’s inevitable. I intend to be that person.” Rainer pulled a watch out from his pocket and wiped the surface with his thumb.
“Are we late for an important date?” Jari asked sarcastically.
“We’re right on time,” Rainer said softly.
“How do you think we got here?” Rand asked. “You’re not the leader you think you are. You’re more of a puppet. Do you even know there’s a third realm?”
Rainer tensed for a fraction of a second before he shrugged. “The first rule of war is you never give your opponents the advantage of knowing all your secrets. Even if I’m viewed as a puppet by some, no one knows the full power at my disposal. What could have beenyourdisposal.” He actually sounded regretful.
I squeezed Jari’s hand to let him know I had a plan.
It was a lie. I didn’t really have a plan, but we couldn’t exactly stay here and be Rainer’s willing captives. Not when Yunez was counting on us.
“Rainer,” I called, wanting his attention on me.
It worked, but all of his guards looked toward me too. That wasn’t so good. If I wanted us to make a run for it, we’d never get far.
“In case you aren’t aware, there’s a war already starting. The Fiasla Mannos have declared war on Fennina. The Mazza that sent us here, they’re on the Manno’s side. And everything you think you know is wrong. You may believe it’s okay to be thought of as a puppet, but you’re reallyjusta puppet. Are you going to stand by and let them use you, or stop them?”
As soon as I mentioned the third realm, the guards started whispering, and they continued to grow until I would have to shout if I spoke again.
If Rainer knew about the third realm and their agenda, he hadn’t shared with his people.
“Are you going to help Fialsa destroy everything Fennina has achieved, or are you going to help the people of our people?” I raised my voice.
“We are working our own agenda. Don’t try and turn my men against me, Mazza.”
“What is this about Fiasla? What is that?” One man stepped forward, tugging his hood back. His silver hair gleamed under the moonlight as he glared at Rainer. “Have you been keeping secrets from us?”
“Of course not. I’m not even sure what she’s talking about, except that she’s trying to shake your trust in me. Grino, when have I ever steered you wrong? Was it not I who saved your family from starvation? Was it not I who took you under my wing to train? I treated you like a son, but you let a few loose words from pretty lips change your conviction?” Rainer tutted.
The man, Grino, glanced at me. His jaw worked as he glanced between us. Then his gaze settled on me and Rand.
“What are Mannos?”
“They’re trying to shake your belief in me. They can’t be trusted. Especially not this whore of a Mazza.” Rainer glared at us as he motioned for two of his people to step forward. They uncoiled chains, ready to tie us up.
“Mannos are the fifth house. They’ve hidden themselves from society because they were ostracized and taken advantage of,” I yelled, backing away from the chains. “But that time in their own realm, the Fiasla realm, has made them bitter, and vengeful. And Rainer has played right into their hands to help take over the Earth realm. He’s doing their dirty work for them!”
“Wait.” Grino held up a hand and the guards stopped mid-step. “A fifth house?”
Who was this Grino? Were these his men?
Rainer yelled as he unsheathed his sword, and swung, cutting off Grino’s head. He continued to yell even as the head rolled on the ground and blood spilled down his chest before the body dropped to its knees.
“Now,” Rainer huffed as he sheathed his bloody sword. “Who else would like to waste my time? I have my son back, the Mazza under my control, and a trip to the Earth to oversee. Let me know now before we go if you have an issue with my agenda.”
Silence reigned around the field.
I was overrun with shock. I couldn’t pull my gaze away from the body seeping blood. My mates must have felt the same way. Nope, the whole group of people here must have felt that way, because no one was moving. I wasn’t even sure anyone was breathing.
