Chapter 28
Day’s perspective
“Hold up,” Nikolai hisses as he holds up a hand. I hear it before I see it, and I don’t care if it was reckless, but I propped myself up to see the big screen.
“News flash! And this is June Iparis, former Republican, current representative of the Combatants,” The broadcaster says, and I see live footage of June, with the reactions of the Republic screened.
June begins her message, and I, along with the entire Republic, who watches the screening on their JumboTrons, are captivated instantly. I guess June does hold that kind of power over us.
Her eyes are defiant – and amazing. Oh god, did I forget, or have I never noticed? She had the eyes of an angel. She holds up the bodies of her two guards, speaking and brimming with confidence.
“--Tomorrow, the Combatants will attack. So show me now, citizens, that you all are warriors! That we can walk in the light again!” She booms, and I see the soldiers of the Republic, those who stopped to watch her, in shock. Slowly, one by one, they start cheering. They all start cheering, and they are all united, united once again by June’s words. But June falls to the floor, still smiling, and I hear myself suck in a breath. The soldiers caught her words before she fell though. She whispered, “Long live the Republic”, and the soldiers pump their fists in the air, cheering after her, all screaming, and repeating her last words.
Then I chided myself for thinking “her last words”. June is not dead yet, at least, I think so. But now I must move faster and get her to medical attention.
“CUT THE TAPE!” I hear a Combatant scream, but it’s too late. The entire Antarctica and Republic saw and heard what June wanted to remind us. The screen turns blank.
“Long live the Republic,” I whisper to the screens, before I turn and catch up with my “wonderful” companions.
Chapter 29
June’s perspective
When I wake, the pain is so blinding I almost faint again, but I force myself to wake, to face what happens next.
A whole new battle begins, but this time I know I’ll lose. My only hope is the war over at the Republic.
But I am confused when I wake up, finding myself hooked up to countless machines, and they are not leaving me to die. They are trying to keep me alive.
“What in the world—“
“Miss Iparis, I apologise for earlier. My own rashness, don’t take it to heart.”
“Why—Oh wait. Don’t answer that for me. You want to kill me in a much crueller way, am I right?”
Harry shakes his head. “Oh, no! Why would I do that?” Think.
He flings himself onto a table and examines his fingers at a futile attempt of being classy. He hums a song, filled with confidence.
“Ransom,” The realization hits me.
“Of course.”
“And what do you expect them to do as trade for my life? Cease fire? Giving the Republic to you?” I snap, glaring.
Harry chuckles. “Why do you always underestimate me, June Iparis?”
“Because you’ve done so many things worth underestimating your next step?” I asked with my fake-innocent voice and gave him a sideways grin.
Harry’s smile fades. “In exchange for half your military force.”
“And how do you get them to be on your side?”
“Miss Chase and the person who created the Alterer has developed a machine that will make them be at my mercy. Yes, Miss Chase has re-joined us sincerely, pleading us to take her in, because Nikolai Chase threw her out of the Republic.”
I laugh darkly, and luckily Harry mistakes my mocking for my refusal to admit I lost. Not that I lost. He never learns.
He steps out and I catch Amethyst’s eye. She looks forward, and stays expressionless, but I know her reason for being here.
She passes by me and secretly throws me a note scribbled fast, and I doubt anybody saw her do it. It read:
Tomorrow. Get ready, prodigy.
YOU ARE READING
Reunited: A Legend Novel | ✓ (#Wattys2014)
AdventureContinued ending to Legend by Marie Lu June's life is put into danger and she needs to choose between saving her country and her loved one-- two of the things she cares most about. A bigger and new threat arises and Day's memories are being tampere...
