Looking up from the blood to the Phaedra, she forgot even the sound of her own voice, but she remembered Adelle's.
“When that peace breaks, remember we're with you.”
Kira might not be able to see her. Zayne might be hiding too well to find, but they were here with her. Their strength wrapped around her.
“I'm sorry,” Kira said, thinking of the only words to pacify this evil man.
He said she was in shock, and he was right. Of course, these people were not killed by terrorists. That was a ridiculous lie.
Hints of strength returned to her legs and her spirit. Adelle said people survived by loving the men who threatened to hurt them. Well, she wasn't sure if the Phaedra intended for her to survive this. Or whether he'd hurt Zayne. So, if she needed to pretend to love him, then she would, as long as it didn't hurt anyone. “You're right. I killed them.”
Satisfaction warmed the Phaedra's smug smile. Wasn't he smart enough to realize she didn't mean it? Or did he just crave capitulation?
“Send a message to your mom,” he said. “Tell her to save the rest of the Followers by giving up the locations of the terrorists holding them captive. Beg her to save you.” He pointed at the far wall. “We've set up several cameras. She'll appreciate seeing you again.”
If Kira's mom offered any more locations, there'd be enough blood to fill a pool by the time the Phaedra finished his rampage.
“Don't hurt anyone else. This is enough.” Kira stared into the eyes of the Phaedra and begged him. “Take my life. That's fine. You can have it. Take my life in penance for all these people I killed. But don't hurt anyone else.”
His nostrils twitched. “I'm trying to save lives. Is this not enough for you to see what happens when you refuse to help? Maybe you need a live demonstration.” A nod. “Come, Zayne. We'll give her a choice. She can help us, or she can see what the terrorists will do to those poor people.”
“Don't.” Kira stepped forward when Zayne released her. “You don't need to do that.”
“This man is a terrorist.” The Phaedra pointed at the elder. “He's worse than a murderer.”
Zayne withdrew his gun, standing beside the elder. While he showed no hint of dissent, Kira sensed his struggle. Feared he may turn his gun on the Phaedra and repeat what he did with the girl from his childhood. There were too many soldiers. No possibility of escape.
She tried to reach him beneath that impenetrable mask to tell him not to do anything reckless, but she couldn't speak.
Even if her eyes managed to say all she needed to, he was gone. The eyes of the High General stared back at her, so convincingly uncaring that she struggled not to question every kind moment.
The elder's mouth twitched in silent words.
“Choose now,” the Phaedra said.
She feared what would open if she opened her mouth, but a wail built inside of her, muffled and distorted as she struggled to keep it in.
Terror shone in the elder's eyes because he was going to die, and he knew it. Even if he wanted her to protect the rest of the Followers, he couldn't silence the grief and fear bursting through his weakness, shining from his eyes.
“Now,” the Phaedra's voice boomed.
If she begged her mom to sell out the Followers, the woman would find a way. She'd already given up all these people. Sobs building in Kira's chest, she forced herself to keep looking at the elder, refusing to abandon him.
“I can't,” she said.
Zayne's gun was level with the elder's temple, his eyes vacant.
“Kill the terrorist,” the Phaedra said.
It didn't seem possible for the man who saved her the night they met to kill an innocent person, but Kira knew he would. She knew it, and still, when the blood burst from the elder's temple, when the deafening shot reverberated through the room, she couldn't believe it.
The second the life snapped from the elder's eyes, something deep at the center of Kira broke. She felt the exact moment it happened. Felt the only piece of her innocence she managed to hold onto in this awful empire break and shatter forever.
It could never be put back together.
The body hit the ground with a nauseating thud right in front of her, splattering a puddle of blood. A scream dredged up from that broken, shattered place that she couldn't control.
“Now repent.” The Phaedra's attention never wavered from her. “Prostrate yourself before me and repent for your sins.”
