The people in the stands began throwing things at Terena and Sonah, both wearing only shifts with their legs and feet bare, the stained clothing hanging pitifully from their bruised and battered bodies.
Croak put a hand to his stomach as bile rose at the sight of his sister. Terena leaned against the bars of the cart and clutched at Sonah’s hands, her right arm hanging limp at her side. One side of her face appeared mangled, and tears slid down his face before he realized he was crying.
He walked forward out of the cover of the building, pulling his hood up as he wended his way through the masses, becoming thicker the closer he came to the stands. Edging close to where the guards were now dragging the girls, Croak looked around.
High Cleric Christos came forward, followed by High Penitent Paros, the emperor’s personal priest and seer, and Ormano bringing up the rear.
As they assembled on the dais, General Peleon strode forward, one hand on the pommel of his sword. His thin, hawklike face was stark as he stopped in front of the throne. Captain Xoran of the Imperial Guard moved to stand at his side, his swarthy countenance sneering.
The people quieted as trumpeters trilled out short bursts. The herald came forward next and stepped smartly to the front of the dais, calling out, “All Hail, Solon of House Angeloi. Emperor of Heylisia.”
Croak stiffened as the emperor emerged. His white robes swirled around him, the large gold crown glittering with pearls and rubiesatop his shoulder length raven hair. He strode to the dais without a word and everyone sat once he’d taken the throne.
Croak frowned. Where was Isher?
General Peleon frowned down at Terena and Sonah as the guards roughly placed them before the dais. Terena didn’t move fast enough for one guard’s liking and suffered a vicious kick to her left leg. She landed hard on hands and cried out as her broken arm gave out, the side of her face cracking against the ground. Sonah lurched for her and was rewarded with a backhand by another guard.
The crowd erupted, roaring their approval, and Croak shook, his hands balled at his sides. Furtively, he scanned the surroundings, hoping to spot Rydon or Gabriol, both of whom had disguised themselves as Imperial Guard, but all of them wore bronze helmets obscuring much of their faces.
Croak’s stomach pitched as he watched a guard yank on his sister’s arm to lift her up and the black clad executioner stepped forward with a rope. He tied it around her wrist and motioned for another guard to take the other end. Croak closed his eyes as they tied another rope to her right wrist.
When her ankles were tied, a guard stood at her back to keep her upright.
She was barely conscious.
Croak was now at the front of the spectators.
General Peleon raised his arms, and a hush fell over the square.
“Terena Luca,” General Peleon’s harsh, high-pitched voice rang out across the yard. “You are charged with treason against the empire, the murder of Prince Lerek, and the attempted assassination of Prince Isher. Additionally,” he paused and moved his gaze over the crowd who seemed to lean in closer. “Additionally, you have been found guilty of hiding your true nature, for which there is no redemption in the laws of the empire and in the laws of man.”
He turned and faced Terena. Her head hung as she stood with the help of a guard. Croak’s heart was in his throat, waiting for the announcement that would seal her fate.
“You are a god, and the penalty for that alone is death.”
The people exploded and Croak cringed against the renewed frenzy at the general’s words. He fought to stay at the front as everyone pushed their way forward. Imperial Guard and City Watch rushed out to stop the masses from storming the square.
Peleon smirked down at Terena and opened his mouth to speak again, but Terena lifted her head at last. Croak’s mouth hung open, but he could only see her profile from his vantage point.
“You,” she said, her voice barely a whisper, but as soon as she spoke, the square fell silent.
“You,” she said again, louder, “You do not know what’s coming for you.”
Gasps from the spectators sounded all around, and Croak took a step closer, putting him within reach of one guard. His heart thundered so hard against his ribs he became faint.
“You think you can killme?” she yelled, and the guard at her side stepped back. Terena stood on her own for the first time since he’d seen her.
“You think you can kill agod?”
The blood drained from his face as his sister screamed at the general.
Terena lifted her arm, and all hells broke loose.
Rydon stoodat Terena’s side when she lifted her arm, white light illuminating her veins as it raced to her fingers. A pulse of something he’d never felt before rushed out, slamming into the general and everyone on the dais. Their bodies flew to the ground, and the spectators cried out.
Rydon lunged for her when she fell. All around him, people ran in the ensuing chaos, the guards helpless to stop the stampede. Rydon ripped off his helmet and reached down with his dagger, slashing at Terena’s bindings. He surged forward as someone dropped to his side, but he looked up in time to see Croak.
“We need to go! Now!” Rydon roared. “Gabe!” he yelled, not bothering to turn to look for his man. “Get the girl!”
