Page 78 of Rebel Witch: The Crimson Moth 2

SEVENTY-EIGHT

LAILA CREED STRODE THROUGH the stone halls of the Rookery, the sounds inside waking with the dawn. Sunlight filtered in through the windows as the sky flared pink over the sea. The soldiers behind her dragged their hostage down to the mess hall, where a platoon of Blood Guard officers was enjoying breakfast.

The Cascadian Army—what Laila and her soldiers had started calling themselves on the journey here—had snuck into the heavily fortified citadel last night, through the servants’ quarters, where Blood Guard officers loyal to Gideon Sharpe had let them in, given them arms, and now padded out their ranks.

“Laila… Laila, please .”

“Shut him up,” she barked, shoving open the double doors leading into the mess hall.

The Cascadian Army filed in behind her, lining up against the walls, marching through the aisles between tables, armed with the weapons belonging to the men and women currently eating.

Laila halted. Every head bobbed up to stare at her.

“Listen here!” She shouted so her voice would be heard across the mess hall. “As of now, you have new orders.”

The two soldiers behind her stepped forward with the hostage, shoving him to his knees. Along with his wrists being bound behind his back, Noah Creed’s mouth was now gagged. As every soldier in the hall stared in shock at their Good Commander, he lowered his gaze to the floor.

“Effective immediately, no one is to be hunted or harmed for being a witch, and all purgings are outlawed.”

“Says who?” shouted some wiseass three tables over.

Laila glanced over to find four of her soldiers already dealing with him.

“Says Commander Gideon Sharpe,” she growled.

At Gideon’s name, a hush fell over the hall.

“You have three choices before you.” She held up her index finger. “You can enlist in the Cascadian Army and begin reporting to Commander Sharpe.” She held up another finger. “You can hand over your uniform and go home.” She held up a third. “You can be hauled off to prison, where you will spend the rest of your days rotting in a cell next to this piece of shit.” She nodded to her brother, cowering on the floor, and shoved him with her foot. “Anyone unclear about any of that?”

No one raised their hands.

“Perfect. Enjoy your breakfast. Afterward, every one of you will report to the courtyard, where you’ll receive new instructions or be dismissed.”

Amidst nervous whispering, the former Blood Guard officers went back to eating, the watchful gazes of Laila’s armed battalion looming over them.