Page 29 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire (Order #4)

Chapter twenty-eight

Forest

S haking uncontrollably before us, the lineup of Marked from the Precipice looks fearful, flinching each time Atticus runs his finger across their backs.

"These ones we picked up last night," he hisses. "Figured since your allies have grown, they'd love to get a taste of real power," he offers, glancing at Xavier and Fallan, both men decked out in attire up to Elyon's standards.

Having brought in the Marked via vehicle this morning, Elyon felt the need to bring more resources to New Haven, but he did not give anyone any clarification as to why he felt the need to reinforce our security.

Gagged and bound, the Marked look to us fearfully.

"Any more Revolutionists?" Elyon questions, keeping his eyes out the large window of his home.

"They have all fled as far as we know," Atticus gripes. "Though, one pesky ass Marked keeps ruining my day," he hisses, my Call already in his mind.

A young redhead.

The one who gave him the scar.

Rowan.

"I've seen her before," I pipe up, her ability to get into my mind still haunting me. "Rowan is her name-"

"Rowan?" Elyon questions, both Fallan and Elyon looking at one another.

"The girl from below the compound?" Fallan questions, Elyon's head slowly nodding.

"She is alive?" Elyon questions, the first look of panic touching his expression.

What the hell could warrant that kind of response?

"I remember her too," Xavier chimes in, running his hand along my lower back. "She was helping lead the Revolutionists... but I have no idea where she could have gone-"

"In the fucking Precipice, that's where," Atticus yells. "You said there was only one Apparatus-"

"There is," Elyon and I both snap, Atticus's throat releasing a scoff.

"Then tell me how in the hell that fucking little bitch has managed to double the number of Marked who have flooded into my city and gone without a trace," he gripes, giving us all a hard stare.

"And her runes, those god damn runes-"

"Rowan is not like the other Marked," Elyon chimes in, all of us focusing our attention his way.

"What the hell do you mean?" I question, his gaze so far from me.

Fidgeting with the hems of his sleeves, Elyon looks back out the window, completely avoidant of acknowledging the Marked he was so eager to devour moments ago.

"I don't know where Rowan came from, or any of those damn runed Marked. Furthermore, I have no idea what abilities they truly possess," Elyon whispers, all of us exchanging a look.

"That's impossible. How could you not know-"

"Her mother gave birth to her in my confinement, that is true. Her mother was Marked, but Rowan... Rowan was an anomaly. As I told you, most Marked pregnancies take months. Rowan came at the rate of a normal human child. Her mother had no idea how she could have conceived, given she was in confinement. The pregnancy killed her mother, leaving Rowan to be handled in my care-"

"She can slip into a few goddamn minds, that's nothing to be wary of-"

"Not just a few," Elyon snaps. "She can slip into any mind and do so without you ever knowing. Initially, I thought she only possessed the Call, but then I realized there was more to her than met the eye. She could learn new traits, ones that she had not been born with. I kept her in close quarters-"

"Until your little facade wore off and she dug her pesky ass into my mind," Fallan snaps.

"Don't speak to me like you played no part in your downfall, Markswood," Elyon hisses, finally turning his body.

"Still, given Forest's current accomplishments, the child is no match for my daughter," Elyon smiles, Winnowing before me.

"Speaking of strength, time to drink up, my dear," Elyon smiles, the Marked once silent, now writhing, trying to escape their binds.

Having indulged to Xavier the depths of his daughter's aversion to blood, the idea of drinking anything sends chills down my spine.

"Perhaps I can take the lead?" Xavier questions, keeping a cold front.

Barely looking his way, Elyon's eyes stay plastered on me.

"No," he hisses. "Is there a reason your fiancé is so adamant on taking over-"

Waving my hand, I hear the bones shatter in their necks, each one of their heads twisting backwards, their muffled groans silenced by the hand of death. Watching Atticus's eyes widen, I hear the bodies slump to the floor before I see it. Each lively soul, now dead weight on the floor.

Slowly turning around, Elyon looks at the sight before him.

"Do not question what I am willing to do in the name of family," I hiss, the meaning holding much more weight.

Taking a step back from Atticus allows me to lean over the bodies, his hand extending out an IV.

"Here-"

Grabbing the wrist of one of the fallen, I sink my teeth into his skin, biting down until I taste blood. Hiding the nausea trying to work through me, I take several gracious drinks, peering at Elyon as I do so.

Wiping my mouth clean, I offer Atticus the wrist, watching his eyebrows crease with confusion.

"Drink up, boys," I hiss, Xavier's eyes watching me close.

"We have a war to win."

Dropping the man's wrist, I make my way over to Xavier, letting his arms wrap around me.

Taking turns indulging in the power before them, all three men take a drink.

Waiting until Xavier's turn, Elyon takes a stand beside me, his lip grazing my ear.

"Are you prepared to kill your friends and family like that in order to fight for our side?" he questions silently, my head slowly turning.

"I'm willing to do that," I smile, leaning my head into the man's shoulder. "And so much more."

Running his hand along the top of my head, I feel his lips press to its top, the first genuine sign of care he has shown me in a long time.

"Good," he whispers, grazing his hand beneath my cloak. "I would hate for my grandchild to become collateral damage."

Tensing up, Xavier turns his head, both of us petrified.

"Tread carefully, you two," Elyon smiles. "I am always one step ahead."