Deviant Fate

46 - Defeat

-Gwen-

"Aren't you worried about your people?" She spoke coolly.

My heart skipped a beat. Where were they if Julian had led us into a trap? Were they dead? Did they escape?

She noticed my hesitation and I swore I saw the corner of her mouth raise.

"The masses managed to flee." She spoke and relief invaded my body. "But," she continued and I held my breath. "Some remained."

The color drained from my face.

"They are alive, but only until I say. You used my youngest son as collateral, so it's only fair that I use them in the same way." She spoke in a calm tone.

My breathing picked up as I tried to figure out what to say or do.

My attention drew to my unit being forced into the room. Zaq and Zef were injured badly, Everhett only had a bruise on his face. Deacon and Fran visibly looked okay. I analyzed them all and noticed something thin around their necks. It glimmered gold like some sort of necklace. They were lined up, but not being held onto like Rin was. Why aren't they running away or fighting?

My curiosity and confusion prompted Ameela to speak.

"You're observant I see, but I think you need to see an example to truly grasp their position." She motioned for a guard to bring Fran over to her. Fran hesitated, but Everhett nudged her to go with the guard. Why did he do that?

Fran kept her eyes on me as Ameela placed her hand on Fran's shoulder. I glared at her in warning. How dare she touch Fran.

"This," she caressed Fran's neck where the thin gold necklace lay. "Is a special piece of jewelry. You see, they come as a matching set." She held a thin gold bracelet from the guards wrist. "When one slides this notch to the left," Fran dropped to her knees, wincing and holding back shrieks. "Tungsten is released into the body." I gripped my fists in anger. I wanted to rip her heart out.

She slid the notch to the right and Fran slumped to the floor gasping for air.

"Tungsten is quite harmful to you, I understand." She spoke inquisitively.

I looked at my unit to see their distraught faces. Deacon kept his eyes straight, not able to bear seeing Fran hurt. Everett's fists were clenched as mine were. Zaq and Zef looked enraged, but powerless.

How could this happen? How could Julian do this to us?

"You have an understanding of your posistion now?" Ameela questioned.

I glared into her soul. I was struggling to compose myself, but my unit was at risk if I did anything.

"Arowin. Come." She raised her voice.

I turned to see him walking towards us with Keerly limping. As they reached us, I could see both of their confusion. Why were they looking at their mother in confusion? Gerin was practically brain dead as he cowered from behind her.

Ameela handed Arowin a necklace and a bracelet. She gestured towards me.

I stepped back defensively, "I will make you regret this." I threatened darkly. She remained unaffected and nodded towards the guards next to my unit. Their necklaces glowed as they all began wincing and fighting the pain. I couldn't stand to see them in pain, but Deacon's unmoving body and expression was telling me to end her.

All at once I thrusted all my energy into Keerly. He scratched and pulled at his clothes. As he ripped his shirt from his body the crowd made noises of horror. Across Keerly's entire torso lay deep black veins. Rapidly climbing to his other arm. The pain was too unbearable for him; he made no noise, his body practically paralyzed in pain.