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I run my hands over the back of the projector, searching for any sign of input. My hand snaps back when it catches the end of something sharp. I suck on my finger and look closer, and what I see makes my blood run cold.
The cord leading to the lens has been cut.
My breaths start coming quick and my eyes begin to lose focus. The projector never worked, and Jedaya knew that. It was all a test. A test of what, I don’t know. If I would sacrifice my loved ones for the cause? If I would turn on Arman to save Olivia?
Suddenly, I see red. Olivia’s death was fornothing. Simply a sick game put on by a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Now I know what a monster truly is.
When I look up to see Arman and Jedaya still locked in combat, without thinking I scream and run, latching onto Jedaya’s back.
I’m biting and scratching anything I can reach, all training forsaken for white hot rage. “You fucking monster, I’ll fucking kill you!”
He tries to throw me off, but my moves are too disjointed and change too quickly.
Arman’s eyes widen as he watches, unable to help without fear of hurting me in the process. “Amelia, stop! You’ll get yourself killed!”
Ican’tstop. I barely hear Arman over the blood pounding in my ears. The only thing that matters right now is killing thisfucking prick under me. I want to watch the blood drain from his body and the life drain from his eyes. I want to hear him scream in anguish and cry for a mercy that will never come.
I’m vaguely aware of guards beginning to pile into the room, most likely rushing in after hearing the commotion. Arman keeps them at bay, refusing to let them near me. I hear acrack!and see a guard fall into a heap nearby, his neck turned at an unnatural angle.
The brief pause in my onslaught is all Jedaya needs; he grabs hold of my arm and flips me off his back and down on the floor, hard.
“Amelia!”
I blink rapidly, trying to clear the haze that’s growing over my vision. I try to pick myself up but find that I can’t move. My head is pounding, and I close my eyes, trying to gain some relief.
I hear Arman’s angry screams, along with the telltale thumpsof bodies hitting the floor.
The noise begins to fade as I struggle to keep my eyes open, ultimately failing.
Eventually, I hear the sound of footsteps approach me, and it takes everything in me to open my eyes once again.
I’m met with the sight of amber orbs, and once my eyes focus, I can make out Arman’s face. He’s saying something to me, but I can’t hear. I think he’s telling me to stay awake, but the pull of sleep is too strong.
I try to open my mouth to tell him I’m sorry, I can’t, but nothing comes and my eyes close for good.
Chapter 24
Iawake with a start. I blink up at the gold chandelier on the ceiling, and I realize that I’m in my and Arman’s bed. I’m not sure how long I’ve been out, and a glance around the room reveals that I’m alone. What happened? One moment I was fighting, I remember, and then everything went black. Who was I fighting?Whywas I—
Olivia.
Suddenly, everything comes rushing back. Elliot selling me out, my days strapped to a chair, finding the Top Elder, and Olivia’s subsequent death.
I envy those first few seconds of ignorance I had, because the heartache is more than I can bear. I’ve known her my whole life. I loved her more than I can put into words. She was just gettingher life started, and I knew that once this war began, I could get her out and she could finally live her truth. A life without Olivia is one I can’t fully comprehend.
Tears begin to spill down my cheeks at a rapid rate as I curl into a ball, hugging my pillow to my chest. I don’t know how to handle a pain like this. The only thing I can do is lie here and let my grief swallow me; nothing else matters right now.
The sound of the door clicking open barely registers and after a few moments there’s a weight on the side of the bed.
Arman is sitting next to me, eyes full of concern. He reaches out his hand and gently swipes a lock of my hair away from my face. “I’m so sorry, Amelia.”
I can’t say anything in return, except, “I need you.”
He nods once with an understanding expression and pulls up the covers to settle next to me in the bed.
I gratefully huddle into his embrace, burying my face in his chest, my tears dampening his soft cotton shirt.
