“Well, whoever did it, we’re thenes paying for it now,” Scarlett said bitterly. “What happens when they realize we don’t have useful information to give them?”
No one answered. We all knew what happened to prisoners who outlived their usefulness.
We spent the night in that cold cell, huddled together for warmth. None came to question us. No one brought food or water. It was as if we’d been forgotten.
I awoke to the sound of Augustin’s voice, loud and filled with a fury’d never heard before.
“Who gave you the authority to do this, Evanth? Answer me!”
“The Elder Council- Evanth began.
“Don’t hide behind them!” Augustin roared. “Our mother was attacked by Kieran, and you respond by imprisoning Juno, Scarlett, Freya, and innocent women from Forestvale? How dare you!”
“They’re suspects-”
“They’re under my protection! You had no right to take them without my knowledge!”
“I was following orders,” Evanth protested.
“Orders you were all too happy to follow. This was malicious, Evanth. You could have questioned them respectfully, not thrown them
in cells like criminals.”
“They belong in cells, not in your bed,” Evanth muttered.
There was a sudden thud and shouting. Augustin had hit his brother. I immediately linked him.
Augustin, stop! I’m okay. Please don’t make this worse.
The commotion outside ceased. Footsteps approached our cell.
Augustin appeared, his face a mask of barely controlled rage. ‘Open the cell,” he commanded the guard.
The guard fumbled with the keys, dropping them twice before managing to unlock the door.
“They need to answer the Elder Council’s questions,” Evanth insisted, holding a handkerchief to his bleeding lip.
“And they will Augustin agreed. “But with dignity and respect.”
The moment the cell door opened, Augustin strode in and scooped me into his arms.
“Put me down,” I whispered. “Let me walk out of here on my own.”
He set me on my feet but kept an arm around my waist. The fear in his eyes surprised me–he looked more frightened than angry
now.
I’m sorry I wasn’t here, he sent through our link. I came as soon as I heard.
It’s not your fault, I assured him.
1/2
Chapter 67
As we walked past vanth, Augustin paused. “Did anyone strike you? he asked me.
I shook my head before Evanthi could answer. It was a lie, but I didn want Augustin to hit his brother against.
Scarlett and Freya followed us out. Once we were away from the cell I turned to Augustin.
“What happened?”
He sighed heavily. “My mother’s house was attacked. She was injured but she’ll recover. A member of the Elder Council wasn’t so
fortunate.”
“Evanth said Kieran was responsible.”
“His soldiers left a message,” Augustin confirmed. “Demanding I hang you over to him.”
I stared at him in shock. “How would Kieran even know where your mother lives?”
“That’s the question, isn’t it?” Augustin’s jaw tightened. “Only the Elder Council, my brother, and I are supposed to know that location. Yet somehow, Kieran not only knew where to strike but also knew we were planning to visit.”
We stopped outside my–our–room. Augustin opened the door, and stepped inside, my mind racing.
“Does this mean I won’t be meeting your mother anytime soon?” I asked.
“She’s recovering well, Augustin said, closing the door behind us. “But no, not immediately.”
I nodded, my mind spinning with the implications. Either Kieran had an informant giving him information about Augustin’s movements, or the attack wasn’t Kieran’s work but had been made to look like it was. I didn’t dare voice these thoughts, not yet. But I hoped we’d get to the bottom of this quickly.
Because whoever was behind this attack had just made things much more dangerous for all of us.
Chapter Comments
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Ethan a traitor. he knows where mom lives and they were supposed to visit. he’s trying to discredit Augustin so he can take over.
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again
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