Page 19 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire (Order #4)

Chapter eighteen

Xavier

C overed in blood, the well-dressed young man finds his way out of the alleyway, my mind filled with a feral need to hurt anyone and anything in my way of finding Forest.

Taking a step into the arrogant son of a bitch's mind, he walks alone, those around him cowering in fear, bowing their heads with respect despite the blood dripping down his face. Finding a name within the depths of his mind, it all comes together.

Atticus Hawthorn.

Commander of the Precipice.

Snapping his fingers, his men drag someone along, the muffled yells of Fallan getting my attention.

Covered in duct tape, he tries to get away, my nerves escalating the longer I think about the others.

If they have Fallan, where the hell are Kai and-

I won't get answers by sitting here and spiraling.

Taking several seconds to take in the faces of those around me, Elyon's is the last one I see, his suffocating energy nowhere to be seen.

Still buried in Atticus's mind, a fleeting image of the one person I was hoping not to see touches my vision, her silver locks and beautiful eyes staring the man down with anger.

You've been around my flower.

You've been around my girls.

And did so with lust in your mind.

Time to make this asshole feel some real fear.

Here goes everything.

Raising my hood and lowering my head, I dart in between civilians, creeping closer to the bloodied authoritative figures, some sense of relief filling me once I glance down the alleyway, my companion's faces looking back at me as they shakily exit the building.

Led by an unfamiliar woman, she urges them to move quickly, Kai the only one to notice me, his body held back by Aaron as he readies himself to drag me along with them.

Giving him one look, I shake my head, watching his face fill with a sense of confusion.

"Sorry, Kaiden," I whisper, turning away from the man. "I have other priorities now."

Looking to the open gap in the crowd, Atticus's back faces me, his guards too focused on the crowd to truly keep the man concealed. Rolling back my shoulders, I take several seconds to debate my actions, ultimately coming back to one place.

If anyone knows where Forest is hiding, it would sure as hell be the one source of power in this dreadful hub.

Charging forward, I shove past anyone I can, breaching the wall of observant civilians, my arms wrapping around the young man's frame, his voice startled as he attempts to bury his Call in my mind. Already one step ahead of him, I coax him with thoughts of submission, driving my fist down on his face before he can even consider utilizing his Hold. Flipping him onto his stomach, his guards run toward me, my head craning as I slip into their minds.

"Take your damn pistols and do us all a favor."

"Wait!" Atticus yells, the men moving too quickly, both of them pressing the barrels to the side of their heads, the loud shots singing through the air. Hitting the ground, Fallan flails violently, doing his best to get his hands and legs free from the set of binds.

Looking Atticus in the eyes, a grin spans across the man's face.

"You're-"

"Your damn nightmare," I hiss, not allowing the man to finish, my fist slamming down on his face, his Hold starting to take effect. Grabbing his neck before he can get me off of him, his thoughts stay buried in my mind, her face constantly painting his mind.

"You must be the lover boy she left behind," Atticus sputters, shoving me as hard as he can, his Hold doing all of the work.

Getting me off of him, the man's instincts for fight are depleted, his ability to transition far from seamless.

Grabbing a blade strapped to my leg, I force it toward him, his body barely able to roll away before getting a taste of my metal down his arm.

Yelling out in pain, Atticus yells, our friends hesitantly observing from a vantage point that keeps them best concealed.

"You mother fucker," Atticus yells. "Do you have any idea how much-"

Yelling at the man, the need to add a plethora of scars to his face is enticing. Grabbing his ankle, I drag him toward me, pressing my knee to his chest, ready to drive this blade straight through his chest-

"If you wanted my attention, Xavier, you've gained it," his cold voice snaps, my arms stuck in the air, Atticus's nose leaking blood.

Feeling his wretched hand touch my shoulder, my hands shake with adrenaline, nothing but the need to hunt all of those standing in my way guiding my actions.

"Stand up," Elyon urges, his Hold forcing me to rise, some of New Haven's guards stopping Fallan from his sorry excuse for an escape.

Scrambling to stand up, Atticus slowly begins to heal, his livid eyes narrowed behind me.

"This is the one she has asked me to be allies with?" Atticus yells, my throat closed, Elyon doing all that he can to silence me.

"Him and the man behind you-"

"Why the hell would I allow anyone who tried to kill me to be anywhere near me-"

"You asked for power, did you not?" Elyon questions, moving his way around me, his focus only on Atticus.

Where the hell are my girls?

"You can show me as many times as you'd like the power you are capable of emitting to those less powerful than you. You hold more gifts than Xavier, yet he bested you without a second thought. We can sit here and pretend as if you hold power in watts beyond the grasp you have over your hub, or you can allow Marked with real power to aid in your cause," Elyon snaps, grazing the scar across Atticus's cheek. "I can assure you, no Marked I have brought forward to you worthy of joining hands with has been bested by a child and has a scar to prove it."

Snapping his mouth shut, Atticus glares my way, his wounds now fully healed.

The cut it would require to have a scar that deep is horrendous.

I'd hate to meet that child.

Letting me breathe, I glare at Atticus, my mouth curling at the sight of him so flustered.

"Weren't prepared to put on the big boy pants-"

Surging toward me, Elyon presses his chest, stopping him from laying a hand on me.

"You pesky, vile Marked scum-"

"Ah, ah, ah," Elyon snaps. "If we are to be allies, then you will treat my daughter's fiancé with some respect, as well as her past lover," Elyon smiles, being sure to throw Fallan in my face.

Taking a step back, Elyon's hand runs down my back, the fine tip of a blade pressed to my spinal cord.

"Apologize to the man, Xavier. You have spent far too long away from Forest. Pain like that sometimes warrants a few outbursts," Elyon smiles, hiding the leverage he holds in this moment.

Biting back my pride, my spit feels like acid, my hand reaching toward the man, motivated by the need to see Forest.

"It has been a long journey to come here," I smile. "Let us find peace," I hiss.

Barely taking my hand in his own, the man shakes his head.

"I hope you and your daughter know what the hell you are doing, Elyon," he hisses, dropping my hand as quickly as he can.

"So, both pets came looking for her?" Atticus questions. "Isn't there also a brother I should be worried about?"

Keeping my thoughts away from my companions, I shrug my shoulders.

"We thought best to leave them behind-"

"We can still kill them, sir," one of Elyon's guards snaps, rubbing his arm, Fallan's teeth marks lining his skin. Forced to be gagged once again, they haul the man to his feet, all of the men around us impatient, ready to have our heads on a stick.

"I want them both. Leave her pests to roam," Elyon snaps, my stomach dropping knowing he already has knowledge of the others we brought with us.

Dragging me along, Elyon urges me and Fallan forward, both of us staggering, Elyon's nails digging into my arm.

Debating killing us off from behind with his pistol, Atticus brews with anger, doing his best to stay calm in Elyon's presence.

"Where are we going?" I whisper, my focus only on Elyon.

"Home," Elyon smiles. "Welcome to the winning team."