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“What?” The rebel’s eyes widen in shock. “No! It’s too early, and no one was supposed to be hurt.”

“Seize him,” I command and the guards converge.

“Mak, no.” Olivia and Janik yell in unison.

The female leaps forward to try and stop the phinnek, wrapping her arms around its neck as the guards rush the rebel leader and restrain him.

“Olivia!”

“Take the rebel to the pit,” Horek demands.

I turn to my mother. “Get the females to safety.”

Certain she’ll follow my order, Horek and I race out of the throne room as the guards drag Janik through the other set of doors. He’ll pay for what he’s done. I’ll make sure of it.

We run through the palace toward the secret exit.

“You need to get to safety as well,” my cousin demands with a swift glance my direction.

“I will not hide away like some coward when my people are dying on the streets.”

“This could be part of their plan,” Horek adds. “To draw you into danger and do what Janik couldn’t. Kill you.”

He should know nothing he says will deter me. These are my people. “I am going with you.”

Knowing there is no persuading me otherwise, my cousin drops it as we duck into one of many secret passages and come out at the base of the mountain after a long, downward sloping tunnel. With great care, Horek opens the hidden door and peeks outside before slipping out. I follow on his heels. Chaos blooms.

The scent of smoke and oil fills the air and plumes of it are visible through the break between buildings. We make our way toward the port. Each step brings with it the horrific odor of burnt flesh. Cries of pain ring in my ears. Nothing is worse than the sight that greets us.

Several dead bodies lie scattered near the destruction of one of the shuttles. Others writhe on the ground in agony, their blood staining the street beneath them. Guards run around, as do a great number of healers who have already arrived. A wail of grief rips through the scene. Senior Officer Arvik is on his knees before a mangled female. My heart stutters at the sight of her. We have so few females left and to see one gone from our world is devastating.

Horek breaks off from where we stand and issues commands to his guards. I wander through the destruction. A number of healers attend the wounded, and I kneel next to the first.

“How can I assist?”

He does a double take at the sight of me and stutters. “You-Your High-Highness.”

I gesture to the male he’s giving care to with a questioning glance. The healer jolts into focus mode once more. “He needs to be transported to the healing facility and placed into a med pod. Are you able to get him into the transport vehicle?”

“Yes. Go take care of others. I’ve got him.”

After a short pause, the healer nods and moves on. With great care, I cradle the wounded male and lift him from the ground. I am not certain if it’s a good or bad thing that he doesn’t make a sound. Once I have him safely inside the transport vehicle, I move on.

For the rest of the day, I do what I’m able to help the healers and the wounded. I meet with those whose businesses were damaged or destroyed from the blast and coordinate with our engineers regarding clean-up.

I’m exhausted and covered in blood by the time I make my way back to the palace. More than that, the rage coursing through my veins burns hotter and hotter. I’ve inhaled my entire vial of kanet powder and still I feel on edge. As if a single word will set off the beast lingering just beneath the surface of my flesh. Everyone I pass as I navigate the corridors between the front entrance and my suites must see my control hanging by a thread, because they leave me alone.

The staff who assist me disperse with a wave of my hand when I enter my rooms. I quickly disrobe and step into the cleansing stall. Moments later I look clean, but I am certain the bloodstains of the dead and wounded will remain on me for far too long. I dress in a clean pair of trou and shirt and set off out of my suite and through the palace. With every step I take, the beast’s roar grows louder until I’m almost unable to shut it out.

At the doorway leading to the pit, I turn on the lights that line the walls of the long hall. It’s cool down here, the stone blocking out the warmth. When the lights are turned off, it’s blacker than night. Any prisoner held down here can’t see their hand in front of their face. They lose track of time and all their senses. Sight and sound don’t exist. No one is able to last long down here.

I come to a stop at the only occupied room and without warning swing the door open. The prisoner inside blinks at the sudden invasion of blinding light. I clench my fists and take several deep breaths.

I shouldn’t have come down here. Not now. Not with the beast so close.

Janik’s vision finally clears, and his attention is fixed on me. Hatred rises from deep inside me as I picture the faces of all the dead and mortally injured I came across today. Males and females who lost their lives because of the selfish needs of a single male. A part of me wishes to take revenge against him, but that won’t bring anyone back.

“The transport shuttles bound for Toveeka, Santeeka, and Noleska were all destroyed, as were twelve members of their crew. Countless others have suffered various injuries, including life-threatening ones, so that death total may rise. Nearly seventy of our people barely escaped death. All because you wish to see yourself on the throne.” I sneer. “If it meant saving all those lives and had been within my power to do so, it could have been yours. No matter that my mother is the true ruler. She, herself would have abdicated as well to clear the path. Instead, people are dead. Fathers. Brothers. Sons. I hope you’re happy.”