Executioner?At that, the Premier shakes his head at me.Who said they were dying today?
His words make me turn back to him. I look at him, and there, in his eyes, I see the answer.
Of course they’re not going to die. They’re going to be transformed into Ghosts.
And right as I think it, the gates at the other end of the arena open.
I hear the familiar grind of their teeth even before I see them emerge, one by one, from the darkness, blinking in the glaring light of the afternoon. Ghosts, a dozen of them.
Though the beasts won’t attack them, the Karensan soldiers stationedaround the arena still shuffle uneasily at the sight of their approach. The largest of the Ghosts raises its head to the sky and sniffs, seemingly puzzled by its newfound freedom. Its long, tapered ears twitch, hungry for sounds to follow.
Jeran’s father is a vicious abuser. But the thought of him turning into a Ghost that the Federation will then use to hunt down others makes me ill.
No.The thought shoots through me.
No?Constantine says, almost amused.You challenge this?
Down below, the Striker Sana has moved instinctively into a fighting stance, sliding her feet against the dirt floor. Eres remains where he is, kneeling on the ground. Beside them, the noblemen cower in terror as the monsters wander closer, searching for humans. They shrink behind the Strikers, as if this might save them.
But the rebel leaders don’t move. I find myself staring at them, drawing some small strength from their stoic faces.
One of them raises her voice, her eyes on General Caitoman. It’s the rebel leader from Reo.
“I have a final word for you,” she calls out, her voice clear and steady. “And I’ll do it in your language, General Caitoman, so you do understand.” Then she smiles a little at him. “I am not the rebel leader you think you have.”
Nearby, Caitoman keeps his own smile casual. But I see the slight clench of his jaw.
“I am just one of many. Remember that.” Her eyes turn to Constantine. “And your Federationwillfall. It is only a matter of time.”
I feel a sharp spike of anger come from the Premier, but he doesn’t respond.
Near the rebel leaders, Jeran’s father lets out a strangled cry of terror as one of the Ghosts skitters closer to them on all fours. The Ghostsnaps its head in their direction. Its milky eyes widen in anticipation, and it bares its jaws at the promise of nearby prey.
The other noblemen lose their nerve. They scatter, chains clacking loudly, and bolt for the edge of the arena. They skid to a halt at the raised guns of the Karensan soldiers. Trapped.
The first Ghost shrieks, and with it, the others raise their heads too. My fingers turn white as my fists curl. Every bit of my strength goes to slowing the beating of my heart, until the strain of holding back my fury feels like it might break me.
This will happen quickly.
The first Ghost lunges toward them. Its speed belies its size—in a matter of seconds, it’s reached one of the two Strikers.
Sana hops to one side. Her hands still grapple instinctively for the weapons that normally hang at her hips, but they find only air. She ducks low as the Ghost snaps its jaws at her, then rolls under the creature and tries to jump on its back.
But she has no weapons except her hands, useless for tearing at a Ghost’s neck, and prison has weakened her reflexes. Before she can make it onto the monster’s back, the Ghost whirls around and snaps its jaws at her again. This time, its teeth find her leg.
Even now, as it bites down hard, Sana makes no sound. Our training runs deep. She opens her mouth in a silent grimace as it flings her halfway across the floor.
I flinch. The still surface of my emotions ripples. I see Corian in his final moments, lips turning blue, signing for me to end his life.
Stop this, I snap at Constantine through our bond.
Why should I?the Premier replies coldly.
Those were Strikers. Make them useful soldiers for you.
My Ghostsaremy soldiers.
When I look at Constantine, I see an expression of steel. He watchesthe scene with a bitter determination churning in his heart, something that feels almost vengeful.
