Different in the Dark

Chapter 5: A Rose's Thorns

"What can you tell me about your leader?" President Gabriel asked. Violet glanced at the armed soldiers by the door. The room was windowless, with only one door. The soldiers were standing in front of their only way out. "Does he have a name?"

"Jahiem Toure," Asael said, still sitting. His eyes were cold, hardened. Violet had never heard that name before.

The president froze. "S-say that again."

"You heard me, President," Asael snapped sharply. The name he gave wasn't an answer, Violet realized. It was a distraction and an accusation.

President Gabriel cleared his throat, clasping his hands together. "Why does your leader despise people with powers? Does he intend to kill every Hero or exclusively the generals? What is his endgame?"

"Your guess is as good as ours," Asael responded. "You should ask him. Oh, right. Never mind." Smiling, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You don't associate with villains. I suppose Jahiem Toure was just an exception, then."

The president's nose flared. He snapped his fingers, and soldiers clad in black cloth and silver armor dripped from the ceiling.

"Violet," Asael whispered.

Fear trickled down Violet's spine. Two swords were pointing directly at Asael's throat. She jumped to her feet. She knew she needed to act, but not how.

"I'm through with talking to you," said President Gabriel. "Now, I want to talk to her."

Slowly, her gaze shifted to the president.

"Violet," the president said. Violet's stomach tightened.

Everything was going too fast: The crawling soldiers readied their weapons. Her thoughts raced. The president's eyes scanned and assessed her. Her breaths quickened. Asael told her not to worry and to think things through. Her words fell out of her mouth, unhinged and unadulterated.

"Don't you dare say my name!" she was screaming. "Monster. Scum. Fraud. You are no leader. You are a murderer. You are nothing. Do you hear me?"

President Gabriel gave a twisted smile that did not reach his eyes. "You said that you were shy?"

"You would know a liar when you saw one, wouldn't you, Mr. President? How does that one expression go? You know the one I'm talking about—"

"Shut up," he snarled, "and sit down or your boyfriend will die."

"Violet?" Asael called. "He's not bluffing." He shook his head as if to convince her.

Violet glowered, eyes fixed on the president. Reeling in every ounce of rebellion, she took a seat.

"You will answer my questions honestly or take that boy's head home with you. Do you understand?"

Violet clenched her teeth. "Ask what you must," she sneered, mocking the President's words. President Gabriel looked like he wanted to roll his eyes.

"What is your leader's name?"

She hesitated. She tapped the arm of her chair anxiously, deciding. "Sebastian. That's what his followers call him." It was true. His team knew him as Angel, crown prince of Emmalyn, but everyone else knew him as Sebastian, Leader of the revolt against Nova.

He observed her. The guilt on her face for exposing such a secret was clear to the president, as she'd hoped. He moved on. "When you called me a murderer a moment ago, what were you referring to? Who are you under the impression that I've killed?" He rested his chin on his folded hands.

Violet shifted uncomfortably. She should've listened to Asael. Violet should've thought before speaking. If she answered this question honestly, the president would have her executed for knowing the truth. And if that happened, Asael would be subjected to the same fate just for hearing it.