Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 8

THE TENSION WAS palpable as Mila waited in the remote tent for news. After her legendary speech, which was warmly received by the crowd, Stephen diverted the attention and she was taken away by guards. Her heart was beating fast while the guards dragged her away. No one could see their behavior through the courtroom meeting. No one could protect her when they pushed her inside and dissolved her.

But she didn't think about her situation, on the contrary, Mila wondered if her speech had saved Elody's life. It seemed like the most important thing to know right now. Rubbing her sweaty hands over her pants, she paced the room. During her monologue, she hadn't looked Elody in the eye for fear of noticing indignation in her gaze. Now, though, she wished she'd shown herself so bravely.

The din of the people leaving the courtroom thundered all around the tent. Guards pulled open the tarp, and Mila pressed her body against the back. Before any of the residents noticed her, the guards closed the tent again. They lined up at the door, ready to attack when needed. Mila bit her lower lip, drops of blood trickling down her chin. She quickly rubbed it away once she noticed the murderous look of the guard closest to her.

Hearing the tent opening, the guards looked toward the entrance and positioned themselves in two rows facing each other. Once Stephen showed his face, they saluted. Mila's stomach turned at the sight of the movement.

"Leave. Guard the tent outside."

"Yes, sir!"

One by one they marched to the entrance and stepped toward the outside world. As soon as the guards were all out of Mila's view, her lungs constricted. Those guards were the last to protect her from the ruthless leader of the camp, and now she was alone with him in a tent barely ten square meters.

At first, she didn't dare open her mouth. And he just looked at her. Mila's shoulders tensed, she pressed her nails into her palms and urged herself to calm down. The guards wouldn't intervene when they heard her scream, nobody wanted to end up dead.

"How's Elody?"

Mila couldn't bear the icy silence any longer. She'd rather die than not know if her actions had made a difference. Stephen pursed his lips and shook his head. The knot in her stomach only grew, somehow she thought it had failed, otherwise, he'd responded to her question.

"I'm not here to talk about small things."

And that was how much life, his friend was worth.

"You made a mess, don't you think? I'm supposed to punish you for your actions, in fact, I may put the bullet through your head here and now."

Swallowing, Mila pushed her back even more against the tarp at the back of the tent. The speech she gave during the trial wasn't the one she had prepared and now she regretted it. Before, Stephen had warned her about crossing boundaries, and here she was, almost murdered without making a difference.

"Adapt or leave."

The tone of his voice sent shivers down Mila's spine. She remembered the famous words he had spoken when she first arrived here. Mila had not adapted, on the contrary, she had almost caused a revolt during her speech. Everything told her it was time to leave.

"Decide now, Mila," Stephen said. "I have one proposition."

"Tell me."

"Become my right hand."

"What if I don't?"

"Adapt or leave," he repeated. "Easy isn't it? No means you'll leave. I'll happily wait until night falls and the wolves are hungry for prey."

Mila burst out laughing. Stephen's proposal seemed so ridiculous she couldn't help herself. After she stopped laughing, she wiped the tears from her eyes and waited for him to say it was a joke.