I want to tell him something, anything, but there are too many people, too close.
Instead, I say nothing, but the Resistance leader stays with me, shuffling forward, hidden from all those who would want him dead.
The press of bodies and the stench of their mixed scents and sweat has me wanting to retch, but the calm, soothing notes of Bear’s earthy smell ground me enough to keep my composure.
“Welcome!” the High King calls.
I wonder if he knows he’s simply a jester playing a part. He has no authority, no power, and nothing that would save him if she decided she hated him.
“The final gathering is here!” he crows.
I find this strange because they know how many alphas escaped; maybe it’s just staging, smoke and mirrors.
He holds his hand out to the Beta Goddess, who does a jittering convulsion on the stage before she raises her hands.
Thunder and lightning fill the sky at once.
“Unbelievable. What a waste of power,” I mutter scornfully.
I think I hear Bear snort, but when I look, his lips are pressed in a tight line.
“We have today our most elusive guest. She has escaped more times than we can count. She’s killed betas, committed countless atrocities, including the corruption of young minds, but!” He pauses, looking out over the sea of black. “Kaida Keres is caught. We have her here. And today, we witness the death of a great evil.”
I’m a great evil?
A hand shoves me in the back, and I stumble forward. The betas clear a space around me, and I fall to the ground as even more space opens up.
The High King steps down the stairs and waves his arm dramatically.
She hired an actor, how innovative.
“We have brought her down, ruined her. See how she flails.”
I stand up, glaring at him. “I’m not scared of you, not any of you. If I die, I die with my conscience intact, and I go to my gods, the omega gods.”
The Beta Goddess arches her back, her arms windmilling wildly, hissing in rage. “You dare?”
“Look at you!” I say scornfully. “Chewing up these young betas like they are nothing. Corrupting these people using fear and violence to get your way. What kind of goddess are you?” I scream.
Her head jerks to the side, so far that I wonder why her neck hasn’t broken. Does the body fight to spill her out? Is that what the jerks are for?
“Silence!”
I lift my chin. “You’re going to kill me anyway, so why can’t I say what I want to say?”
I’m grabbed by the shoulder and spun around. A hand collides with my face and, once again, I find myself on the ground. This time, my face tingles and bursts into blistering pain. I stare up at a furious crowd who are thirsty for my blood.
“Bring her.”
I’m dragged up and towards the stage. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jarek, Mordecai, and Cadel. None of them look happy, and I can imagine the lecture I’m going to get when this is over.
Legion is pushed into my path, and I stop, almost falling over him when the beta behind me pushes me forward.
“What is it?” the High King asks.
“Another omega. A male.”
“Interesting. Bring him, too.”
