Page 59

With a single nod to me, he turned and did the same to the next crossbowman.

I staggered to my feet and moved past the struggling Holden to follow suit, but was halted by a sharp yank on my hair.

I twisted to see Holden, face red, and struggling to breathe. He held my pale hair in his fist as he glared at me.

How the fuck —

"Halt!" A woman's voice cut through the chaos like a knife, and Holden's jaw ticked as he continued to stare down at me, as though debating whether to listen.

I lifted my chin, daring him —

"NOW!"

He let out a strained hiss and released me.

Soon, all the others had followed suit, stepping back from the last few prisoners who had frozen in place.

"Good girl, Kaiya," Lady Frexin said. "You knew better than to leave, at least. That decision will save some of your friends."

My eyes widened, panic and revulsion rolling through me as the woman stepped out of the shadows.

She hadn't changed a bit.

A small blue hat sat perched atop her midnight blue curls, and her matching blue lips were curled into something resembling a smile as she looked from me to Liam.

"If you want to leave, boy, now is the time …" she made a shooing gesture with her gloved hand.

Liam glared at the woman, fury blazing in his eyes. His gaze slid to me, and I begged him with my expression to leave.

He just winked …winkedfor gods sakes… just like the old Eli.

Why change backnow? Couldn't he have waited until he was safe to go back to his reckless ways?

Lifting his chin, he shook his head. "I left you once, Kaiya. I'm not doing it again."

My knees felt weak as Frexin's grin widened into a full-on smile, and I bit back a sob.

You idiot!!

"Very well." Lady Frexin gestured to a nearby guard, who stepped forward and began to shackle Liam.

"No!" I screamed. "Please. Just go!"

But it was too late. Mr. and Mrs. Harlsted and a few others had already joined him, stubbornly holding their hands out for the guards to shackle.

"Please!" I begged, falling to my knees.

Guards repeated the process with each of them, and my eyes burned as they were captured once more and thrown to the deck.

Why? They were so fucking close. Why didn't they leave?!

Frexin took it all in with that smug fucking grin, then turned to face me, brow lifted.

"You continue to surprise me, dear! It was a smart move, encouraging an escape for everyone but yourself. If they'd all gotten away, I could have at least contented myself with you! But unfortunately for you, not everyone has gotten away."

My stomach wrenched.

She motioned to a nearby guard. "Continue firing on those in the water."