She wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t a plan.She wouldn’t come to watch me die.
I have to believe the rebellion is in the trees, ready to attack. However, I can’t rely on that. If I want to survive, then I need to figure a way out of this on my own.
Ryven tugs at his binds over and over again to make them looser, but I don’t bother with the ropes.Not yet.I’ll need every ounce of strength for when it matters.
Cedric steps into the circle, arms wide, playing prophet and executioner. “Thank you for joining us this evening!”
The crowd all hums the same mumble.
“Tonight we have a special event for everyone. Tonight we’re all going to learn love does not overturn loyalty. Tonight, we claim vengeance for every brother and sister we’ve lost!”
The crowd roars like he’s feeding them fire. They lean forward ready for what’s to come.
Those they lost… “And what about the ones you’ve murdered?” I shout. “What about the mothers, the kids, the ones you deemed unworthy?”
The words crack the night wide open.
The vein in his neck pump as he tries to hold back his anger. “Their deaths were worthy sacrifices!” Cedric shouts. “They died for the cause!”
The crowd roars again—like they’re worshipping a God carved from blood and fire.
I can’t stomach it.“You act like a god,” I snap. “But you bleed like the rest of us.”
Something sails through the air. I jerk my head away just in time.
“Shut your whore mouth!” the man who threw the object yells.
I spit at him, and he moves out of the way.
“As I was saying,” Cedric growls, barely holding back a sneer. “These two will serve as an example. A lesson for anyone foolish enough to believe love is stronger than loyalty.” He points at us. “They conspired against us. Against our brothers and sisters. And now, they burn—for all to see. For the Gods to judge.”
The crowd gasps, but is it shock… or excitement? Hard to tell with these vultures.
Cult members begin to drift closer, moving behind the crosses, behind us where they disappear, moving out of sight. I can’t track them, can’t see what they’re doing. The sound of liquidsloshing behind me comes through the crowd chanting. That terrifies me more than Cedric’s rant ever could.
I look at Ryven, staring at the wood line directly ahead. He hasn’t said a single word about what’s going on or what Cedric says. It’s like he’s given up or like he’s waiting for something.
“Hey.” My voice is barely above a breath, but it reaches him. I can’t help the ache in my chest at the thought that this might be the last time I speak to him. That this time is the end.
He turns his gaze toward mine and gives me a small smile. “Just remember, Ro,” he murmurs. “No matter what happens next... I’ve always loved you.”
The words wrap around my chest and squeeze tight.
His words should bring me peace, but all they do is bring on more anxiety.What’s going to happen to us next?He’s planning something.
And I’m afraid it’ll get him killed or worse… start something we can’t stop.
Chapter 34
Ryven
I’ve said my piece. Now I wait for the signal—the moment my bindings catch flame. The way they have us tied to these crosses, I can tell they plan to burn us alive when the clock strikes midnight. I’ve only seen this once before. Public execution by fire is the cult’s idea of theater.
But I’m not going to be the next act, and neither is Rory.
The men are behind us now. Rory doesn’t realize what that means—but I do.
It’s starting.
