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“That might be the first time you’ve obeyed me on my first command,” he said with a twisted smile. “Following my orders saves so much time—and lives, too.” He gave me a sharp, accusatory look as if I’d been the one responsible for the killing.
I wasn’t blameless. I’d underestimated Cael after he’d shown me who he was. I knew, and I’d always known, the kind of man he was, as much as I’d tried to deny it. I hadn’t wanted to acknowledge, even to myself, that he was so dangerous because that danger gave him power and I loathed him for wielding it. His ruthlessness was the reason he’d risen to the top and kept his title. Without being held back by morality, his possibilities were infinite.
Did I have to lower myself to his level if I wanted to be his equal in power?
I stepped onto the dry sand, my hands raised in surrender. “Where’s Graham?” I asked, searching the shore for him.
Cael didn’t answer.
Cait, Lachlan, and Keane followed, wisely protecting themselves from the deadly consequences of one wrong move.
“Come on.” Cael motioned to the windowless carriage that had brought Keane and his men.
“Why did you kill them?” I shouted, livid and unwilling to restrain it. “Was that your plan all along?”
“It was a backup plan,” said Cael, “but I would’ve settled for putting them in prison if you’d managed to get those weapons when I ordered you to.”
“Is that the truth?” I asked, “Or are you trying to make me believe it was my fault again?”
“It was your fault,” said Cael, “andwhat I’m telling you is true.” He pointed the gun at the three of us, tilting his head toward the carriage. “Let’s go.”
We headed up the hill, Cael following with the gun pointed at our backs. I knew I should be silent, but I couldn’t suppress my questions.
“You almost killed me,” I said. “Was that what you wanted?”
“I’m indifferent,” he said. “A confession had seemed useful, but I don’t suspect your words will have any more influence than mine. When I speak, the Academy listens.”
My usefulness to Cael had kept me protected, but now I had no defense. If he didn’t need my confession, he could easily do without me. I was practically dead already.
All of us were.
Cait, Lachlan, and Keane followed, driven forward by Cael’s pistol.
At the carriage, Cael reached for the back doors, pulling them open.
Graham was inside, his mouth gagged and his hands cuffed behind his back. He tried to speak, but only produced muffled grunts.
“Graham!” I wanted to jump in and release him. “Why’d you put him in here?!”
“Because, like you, he thought he could defy my orders.”
“You’re supposed to obeyhim,” I said.
“I don’t recall his coronation,” said Cael. “He’s no king.”
Graham looked at us, his eyes wide with what looked like compassion and terror.
I saw the way he’d fought with Cael. He must’ve been a genuine threat to motivate Cael to tie him up like this.
“Come on in,” said Cael, sweeping the arm with the gun in a wide, almost welcoming, gesture.
Lachlan went forward first, his hand tugging on Cait’s arm.
I held my ground. I couldn’t do it. I still wanted to find a way to stop Cael.
Yes, he had a gun, and yes, his power had me beaten so often that I didn’t believe I stood a chance.
But still, my body tensed, filled with primal rage and grief.
