The Makers of Destiny: Monarchy

Chapter Eleven: The Reveal

Have ever had a nightmare where you're being held at a gunpoint and you can't breathe and your heart is beating so fast that you're dizzy and you're thinking, "Oh god, no, I too young to die," because you know that you're a few seconds away from dying and all for nothing? Because that's Lillian's life at that moment. Yes, you can say it sucks. No, it's not pleasant. Yes, it's terrifying. No, she does not recommend it.

Lillian never had a gun pointed at her head before, so unlike most heroes in action movies, she was not entirely fine with it. Her first urge was to scream and run away, but luckily she had enough self-control to clamp down on the urge. Her arms dangled uselessly at her sides as she didn't dare to make any movements. She had thought about maybe punching Ezekiel and making a run for it - he wouldn't shoot her in the public - but she figured that she would be on the losing side in a fight. Considering Ezekiel's athletic physique and Lillian's intense dislike for physical sports, he would only too easily stop her. Screaming was a good idea, as it would attract attention and help, and just as she prepared to do it, Ezekiel whispered, "Don't move. Don't scream or I shoot."

His voice was calm, but with a slight tremor toward the end, and Lillian moved her head as much as she dared to see him out of the corner of her eye. His eyes were wide open. Panicked for sure, but with a lot more concentration than she had seen before. So he wasn't a trigger-happy prophet. That boded well for Lillian, but she didn't dare think for a second that his hesitation could mean that he wouldn't shoot at all. Maybe it worked for good guys when they tried to appeal to the villain's humanity, but Lillian wasn't prepared to try.

"Do you even know where to hide a dead body?" Lillian asked him. Poking at the fact he was a newbie to torture and death threats could maybe convince him that there are better ways to force an answer out of Lillian. Preferably one where she wasn't at the risk of dying.

"It can't be too difficult." Ezekiel's voice was hard. Not taunting, but not unsure either. "Now, if you just answer my questions honestly - and I can know if you're lying - then we will both be much happier. So, why are you here?"

Lillian opened and closed her mouth. Ezekiel pressed the gun tighter against her head. Lillian swallowed and opted for the safer route. "I was supposed to ask you about the Destiny Stone," she admitted.

Ezekiel's eyes widened as his jaw tightened. Oh, right. Something about a national secret.

Ezekiel was quick to compose himself. "Thank you," he said. Lillian jerked in surprise and saw Ezekiel's hands tightened around the gun. She stilled.

"What?"

His eyebrows rose. "For being honest with me. I hope you'll continue doing so."

"Oh, yes, of course, that," she mumbled.

"Who told you about the Stone?"

Lillian hesitated. "My neighbors," she hedged.

Ezekiel took a step back but kept the gun trained on Lillian. "Do you know them well?" he asked carefully.

Lillian ducked her head. "I know them for a long time, but not well." Guilt twisted her stomach as the words poured out of her mouth, but one look at the gun continued to loosen her tongue.

Ezekiel nodded encouraging as he took two more steps back. His eyes did not leave Lillian's face, neither did the gun. He reached one hand behind him. "What did they tell you about the Stone?" he said, voice surprisingly hypnotizing despite the gun.

Lillian eyed the gun worriedly as she considered her next answer. They were edging into dangerous territory, and she was losing track of what was safe. Logically, he should already know what happened to the Stone, but is it safe for her to know? Jennena, Christopher, they both fought against her knowing. Her heart was beating hard against her chest, and she couldn't think fast enough. How much to tell?