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Standing up, I climb off his rapidly cooling corpse, grimacing at the pain in my shoulder and the blood staining my clothes. I prod at my shoulder and wince, but it feels better than it did previously, and the fact that I can now move it makes me think it popped back into the socket when I hit the ground. My limbs start to shake now that the instant threat to my life is over.You can do this, I tell myself like a mantra.One more to go.
A strange noise catches my attention, and I realise it’s applause. It’s quiet and scattered, but it’s there all the same. I glance over to the side where the werewolves watch, expecting them to be snarling and growling at me for killing one of their own. However, I notice several nodding their heads towards me in respect. Turns out that Bates wasn’t universally liked by everyone who lived here after all.
“You have completed your second task, and your final challenge waits for you,” Ruby calls out, silencing everyone once again. He doesn’t sound happy, and sure enough, when I turn to look up at the platform, the queen is wearing a scowl, and the councilman’s body is rigid. This isn’t going to plan for them, and I really shouldn’t, but a smile pulls at my lips.
“A warrior needs to make difficult decisions for the betterment of their people.”
An awful, sinking feeling fills my gut like lead, my body feeling chilled as my instincts try to warn me. I don’t like the sound of this, and I’m sure the council would have left the hardest task for last.
Sure enough, Councilman Ruby sounds smug as he announces my task. “You have to choose one of the three prisoners to execute. Choose wisely.”
Execute… No. This is like the challenge the queen gave me in Haven before the attack. I’ll bet this was her doing. Before I can fall into my spiralling panic, the partition drops, taking my heart with it as I see the three prisoners waiting for me to end their lives.
Syn, my father, and Luna.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
All sound is suddenly drowned out by the ringing in my ears. From the corner of my eye, I see a commotion going on in the stands, aggressive movements and waving of fists. Despite the fact that I can’t hear what they are yelling, the atmosphere becomes charged. The council has misjudged this part of the trial if they thought it would gain them more support.
In a twisted way, I can see why they chose to make this part of the trial public. In forcing me to kill one of my loved ones, they were hoping to make me out to be the bad guy to those watching. With a witch’s and two werewolves’ lives on the line, both races would become emotionally invested. However, it’s backfiring on them, because it’s not me the crowd is angry with.
What the crowd is doing is currently the least of my worries though, as I stare at the horror before me. One of them has to die at my hand for the others to survive. I feel sick, my body wired so tightly that I’m trembling with the effort to stop myself from running forward.
My eyes flit over the three prisoners. A guard stands behind each of them, pressing a knife to their necks. If I step one foot out of line, they will kill them. Bound in reinforced rope designed to keep werewolves restrained, they all show signs of being beaten, their faces bruised and bloody.
Syn’s upper lip is pulled back in a snarl, and his eyes glow with his wolf. They must have found a way to stop him from shifting, as I have no doubt he would have lost his battle with his wolf by now. They must have taken him when they separated us and forced me to continue with the trial alone. I should have known the council would try something like this.
When I glance at Luna, guilt rises within me as I see her poor swollen face. She’s only here because of me. When our eyes meet, though, there’s a fire in her gaze that promises vengeance—not against me, but those who dare to hurt us. She may be sagging against her restraints, but her inner strength shines through.
Finally, I drag my attention to my father. He’s the hardest for me to see like this. He was hurt in my previous trial because of me, and now he’s been taken and beaten once more, but as my eyes flit to his face, the anger and pain I expect to see isn’t there. Instead, all I see is love and pride.
No. I can’t do it. Iwon’tdo it.
If I don’t, my other mates will die. Can I sacrifice one so the others will live? Some might say the overall sacrifice is worth it, but there is no way I could take any of their lives. I could never live with myself.What do I do?
“Laelia,” my father calls out, his voice barely a croak. “Don’t ever give up. I believe in you. If you must take a life to save the others, take mine. I’ve lived my life, and you are the best thing that ever happened to your mother and me.”
“Dad…” Tears roll down my face, and Star whines at my side, her grief showing as sparkling tears drip from her eyes. I have no words to express how I’m feeling. Does he really think I could ever kill him? Having his blessing to end his life so the others survive only makes this harder.
The dagger I used to kill Bates suddenly feels heavy in my hand, and I drop it to the ground, not wanting to touch it. Breathing becomes difficult as my mind becomes blank, and all ideas of escape and plans to get out of this alive have fled.
“No, killing her father would destroy her,” Syn argues, shaking his hair from his face. “Laelia, we know my life is tied to yours.”
The meaning behind his words is clear to me. Beyond being my mate, Syn and I are bonded differently thanks to the madness. When I die, he will die with me, the bond taking him to the grave. Although I planned to leave this arena alive and with my family, it’s looking like that’s not going to be the case. If I’m killed like the council and queen have declared, then Syn will die anyway.
“You should kill me. I know you’ll be with me in paradise. I’m ready to go.” Our bond is wide open, and for the first time, I can’t sense any of the madness that plagues him. He knows what he’s saying and that I understand his double meanings. He’s willing to die for the others’ sake.
Could I ever take his life though, even if it meant saving the others? It would destroy me, and I would rather cut out my own heart than hurt my family.
There is no sign of Belua, my secret weapon, and other than Star, I’m all alone in making this decision. My other mates are hidden somewhere, but because I’ve not seen them, I have no idea if they are actually safe and unharmed. My magic is mighty, but there’s no way I could make it out of here without someone getting hurt. Attempting to take out the three guards before me is out of the question, as I don’t fully trust my aim.
Feeling completely lost and torn, I let out an agonised cry and drop to my knees. I want to rage and scream and sob. It’s not fair. Why is this happening to us? Why can’t we just live in peace?
“Great goddess, please, I’m begging you. Help me. I can’t do this,” I whisper aloud, tears rolling down my cheeks. I know I’m stronger than this, but I feel beaten and helpless. Clasping my hands together, I rock forward on my knees, reciting the prayer over and over.
Oh, little moon, the goddess murmurs in my mind.I will always be with you, but you don’t need me. You have the strength within.
I so desperately want to cry out that I do need her, but she’s right, I need to do this on my own. I’ve been given this power for a reason, and strength isn’t always physical. I have endured so much and haven’t let the darkness take away my love of life. The council may have taken away my control, but there is always a different option. I might die today, but at least it will be on my own terms.
