The Fall of the Keepers

Chapter 19 The Rock and the Hard Place

I dropped my head into my hands breathing heavily.

"What's he got against you? What was all that stuff about not finding a body?"

I knew Ranen was only concerned for me, but I couldn't answer his questions right now. It was far too long of a story and all I could think about was the fact that Shane was alive, pissed off, and had my sister. It was my worst fear, for Esha's life to be in danger because of my actions.

"I can't do this right now. I have to go."
I got to my feet, heading for the door.

"Astrid! Let me help you!"
Ranen jumped up and grabbed my arm.

"You can't, just stay here and don't leave the house."
I snapped.

"Make sure he doesn't follow me."
I ordered Ghost.

"Astrid, this is your sister's life we are talking  about."
Ranen protested.

"Yes, and I can't be worried about your life at the same time!"
I exclaimed, slamming the door shut behind me.

I wanted his help, I longed for someone's shoulder to lean on, but that wasn't an option. I didn't have time to fall apart, I had to rescue my sister before it was too late. I slipped into my translucent state, lifting up into the air and riding on the breeze back to the palace. I set down on the front lawn and marched across towards the entrance without missing a beat.

"Now you show up, everyone's been looking for you."
Cassian said by way of greeting.

"Where are they?"

I didn't need to specify who they were.

"This way, follow me."

We tracked through the halls, passing rebels in hushed conversation who watched me like a ticking time bomb that might explode at any moment. Truthfully, that's exactly how I felt. When we reached the throne room, I found a small crowd gathered inside, with a television set in the corner that was playing the local news. The broadcaster was still going on about waiting for a reply from the Coalition.

"Would somebody shut that man up!"
Quetta exclaimed.

She spotted me across the room and straightened her back.

"Why is it whenever I need you, you seem to vanish?"
She demanded.

"I'm here now."
I replied stiffly.

"Even Mr. Hayes got here quicker than you did."

Jasper and Vienna pushed their way through the other rebels gathered to stand by me.

"What a mess."
Vienna mumbled, grabbing my hand briefly and squeezing it.

Jasper had his arms crossed, a brooding expression on his face.

"Annoying idiot or not, the man has a point."
I stated, motioning towards the television.

"What are we doing about it?"

No one seemed to have an answer for me.

"Why the town square?"
A middle-aged male asked.

"Yeah, wouldn't they want something a little more private, or I don't know, in the bad parts of town?"
A woman added.

"Haven't any of you been down to the city lately?"
I asked incredulously.

"It's all a bad part of town now. People do whatever they want because there's no one to stop them."

"He wants this public."
Jasper spoke up.

"But why?"
The same man questioned.

"Because he wants the country to see how weak their new leaders are. That why he took Glass. He wants more than revenge, he's making a statement."