Redmon's hand settled on my shoulder. "We should go. There's a cave system to the north where we can hide until… "
The door burst open, cutting him off. My heart stopped as uniformed figures poured into the mill, weapons raised.
"Nobody move!" shouted a commanding voice.
I reached for my defensive powders, but Redmon caught my wrist, shaking his head slightly. They outnumbered and outgunned us. This wasn't a fight we could win.
The crowd parted as a familiar figure strode into the center of the room. Not Administrator Verek or Dr. Mercer, as I'd feared,but a mapinguari warrior in ceremonial armor, flanked by tribal guards.
"Chief Thorac," Redmon breathed, surprise clear in his voice.
The mapinguari chief surveyed the room, his single eye eventually settling on us. "Commander Razak. Healer Kalyndi. The Council has been searching for you."
I tensed, preparing for the worst. If the tribal leaders had allied with Magnus Terra, we were finished.
"And now you've found us," Redmon replied, stepping slightly in front of me. "Have you come to return us to our captors?"
Chief Thorac's expression remained impassive. "I've come to offer the protection of the Eastern Tribes."
A murmur of shock rippled through the room. Redmon's posture shifted, confusion replacing defensiveness.
"Protection?" he repeated. "The Council supports Magnus Terra. The matching program… "
"The Council was deceived," Thorac interrupted. "As were we all. Three days ago, a tribal elder's granddaughter died during a 'routine procedure' at a Magnus Terra facility. When we demanded answers, we discovered the truth of their breeding program."
Hope bloomed in my chest. "You're opposing them?"
"The Council has voted unanimously to withdraw from the matching treaty," Thorac confirmed. "All forced matches are hereby invalidated. Those who wish to remain together may do so by choice, not coercion."
The room erupted in whispers and exclamations. I felt Redmon's hand find mine, squeezing gently as if to ask a question he couldn't voice. I squeezed back, my answer clear. The choice was made now, not an assignment.
"What about Magnus Terra?" Elara asked, stepping forward. "They won't simply accept your withdrawal."
"Which is why we need your evidence," Thorac replied. "The Council has called for a public hearing at the Sacrarium during tomorrow's matching ceremony. All tribal leaders will be present, as will Magnus Terra officials."
"A trap," Redmon suggested.
"An opportunity," Thorac countered. "To expose their program before both our peoples. To end it once and for all."
I looked around the room at the faces watching us, human and monster alike, united in purpose. "If we do this, there's no going back. Magnus Terra will label us all as traitors."
"They already have," Marok said softly. "The question is whether we accept their judgment or stand for the truth."
Redmon turned to me, his amber eyes searching mine. "This must be your choice too, Kalyndi. The danger… "
"Is worth it," I finished for him. "If we can save others from what we experienced, if we can protect the children they've created, we have to try."
He nodded, then addressed Thorac. "We'll testify at the hearing. But we'll need guarantees of safety for everyone here."
"Already arranged," Thorac assured us. "Tribal guards will escort all of you to protected territories tonight. Tomorrow, we make our stand at the Sacrarium."
As we made plans and organized evacuation groups, I found myself drawn to the mill's broken window, staring out at the night sky. Tomorrow would change everything, for better or worse. The thought should have terrified me, yet I felt strangely calm.
Redmon joined me, his massive frame a comforting presence at my side. "Having second thoughts?"
"No," I said honestly. "Just thinking about how much has changed. Three months ago, I was dragged to the Sacrarium as a prisoner to be your mate. Tomorrow, I return by choice to fight alongside you."
His hand found mine again, our fingers intertwining. "Not just alongside me, I hope."
