Red

Chapter 23

The End is Near

Soft hands wrapped around my upper arms to pull me away from the dead body.

I wouldn't let go, never.

"Lewis needs you, his heartbeat is slowing down." Zeke tried to pull me away from my father but I couldn't let go, didn't want to.

I could only hear pain, screams, and all things melancholic. The Queen was giving birth, Lewis was shot, Miles had to choose between his soulmate or mother and was weeping away and I had just lost a part of myself, my past.

I never ceased to sob as I took Lewis by the arm, trying to drag him out of the room, he was barely breathing and I knew we didn't have much time.

Charles. He was blocking the passageway with a gun in his hand.

"You guys aren't going anywhere," his sly smile told me he wasn't kidding. He took a sip of his wine, since when was that there?

The woman behind us was calling for her two sons, telling them to help her out. Ordering them. None of them even flinched.

Miles hadn't even decided whose side he was on, did she seriously expect someone to help her? After everything, she has done?

He fidgeted with his soaked shirt, revealing a snowflake inked onto his skin that hadn't been there before.

We needed to get out of here quickly.

My chestnut brown hair tangled into knots with the sudden rush of fresh air, I looked back to see someone's feet, dangling out of the only window in the room.

I recognized that bronze skin from the one who killed the duke. Pree, the Silent Killer, she's here.

A smile reached my face after this revelation. I don't know what she has planned but I couldn't wait to find out. I almost forgot the task, bring Lewis to safety so he didn't have to live the same fate as my father.

I started a stare-off with Charles, hoping for him to move out of the way. Instead, he drank his wine, showing how relaxed he was with the situation, put two slim fingers in his mouth, and whistled.

A wave of people came: Soldiers; guards; contestants; others... All the missing people were here, working for Charles. Although, their monotone expressions and emotionless eyes were a clear sign that this wasn't voluntary.

They didn't want to be here, they were forced.

What did Charles do to them? What did he have on them?

My friend didn't have much more time so I signaled Zeke to make it while I dealt with them.

He didn't want to but obliged.

Zeke put Lewis over his shoulder and ran quicker than a cheetah. I defended myself against the crowd of mindless drones.

Loud coughing could be heard, and the tantalizing sound distracted me, especially when it was Charles.

I owed Pree, seconds later he was on the floor.

I knew she did this.