Page 3 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire (Order #4)

Chapter two

Xavier- Present

F allan's screams drown out the noise. Every thought entering my mind hits dead ends every time I try to conjure up a logical reason for what has just happened.

Isn't it clear now? I don't love you.

Her words are stuck in my mind. The feeling of betrayal has latched onto my soul, turning what could be rage into a pit of dread I may never come back from.

Taking in sinfully shallow breaths, I squeeze my wrist as hard as I can, seconds away from snapping my own bones to deliver myself a feeling other than betrayal to focus on.

Still clutching her engagement ring, its metal feels as if it is cutting into my palm, etching another set of scars across my skin. The feeling of Elyon's bind was considerably more tolerable than the pain I am feeling right now.

I'd do it all again.

Every second spent feeling my own flesh rip open to hold her close.

I'd do it all again.

At least Elyon's pain was a reminder her love prevailed.

This?

What the fuck is this?

"Xavier?" Kai repeats once more. His tone is panicked. His body is barely suited for the tactical gear he now wears.

Inches away from my face, he tries to snap me out of my blank stare. The few words I exchanged with him when questioning the whereabouts of his sister were nothing that brought him comfort. Shaking me uncontrollably, Fallan's wails escalate. The sound of his pain is the only thing keeping me cognitively functional.

"Where is my sister, Xavier?" Kai repeats again, the only thoughts circulating in his mind revolved around her death.

Would that be easier?

Would knowing she died fighting for something she loves feel better than the pit of emptiness swarming me now?

"She's gone," I mutter silently, repeating myself once again. Glaring at Kai, I grab his collar, forcing him to stay silent. "And she's not coming back for you, me, or anyone else."

Shoving him away, he sprawls across the floor, skidding across the shattered remains of Elyon's home. There is not a single soul inside the once very packed ballroom. Hovering near Fallan, Valerie and Aaron keep pressure on Fallan's wrist. Both of their eyes are wide as they process seeing the man in the flesh. Hovering near the broken door, Bekah and Mason keep a lookout. They frantically shift on their feet, ready to alert us if anyone chooses to come our way.

"We don't have a lot of time, guys. Stop fucking around. Take pretty boy and I'll get Xavier-" Mason starts, my voice already cold.

"How the hell did you know to come here?" I question. Pausing his steps, Kai shoves himself to his feet, his focus on Mason.

"They found sand," Fallan gasps, his cries shifting into a burst of laughter most would be unsettled by. "They found sand in my urn."

Bleeding out onto the floor, his eyes are dead focused on me. A twisted grin pulls up his lips, eating up his expression. Taking several seconds to process his expression, his mouth curls higher, his eyes lowering at my confusion.

"Maybe I should have opted for the oak ash-"

Clamoring to my feet, I shove away Mason, keeping him away well after he has Winnowed toward me.

Grabbing Aaron's red locks, I yank him away from Fallan. Giving Valerie a daring look, I beg her to try and stop me right now. Taking a cautious step away from the man, Aaron swats my arm. My hands are already around Fallan's throat, watching his shit-eating grin drop instantly.

"What the fuck did you do?!" I question, slamming his head to the floor. His bloodied mouth spits across my front.

Winnowing out from under me, he clutches his arm, delivering my back a harsh kick from behind. Grabbing his ankle before he can try again, I pull him to the floor once more, feeling a sense of satisfaction once his bloodied stub slams into the ground. Too focused on his pain to act quickly enough, I'm on him once more, burying my Call into the depths of his mind.

"Answer me, Markswood! What the hell did you do?!" I question. All of our friends circle us like a murder of crows ready to swoop in.

"Tik tok, Mason," Bekah whispers.

The very distant sound of Officials funneling through the Prophet's home rides the air.

Saying nothing, he shows me his teeth, the look of satisfaction plastered across his face enough to drive anyone mad.

Slamming my fist into his jaw over and over, I wipe the expression clean from his face. I only stop once Mason has grabbed my hand, keeping me from breaking the man more than I already have.

"We need answers, Xavier. Beating him to a pulp will solve nothing," Mason says, forcing a lick of reason into my already rapidly spiraling mind.

"You should listen to your little monster mutt-"

Kicking him in the side, Mason silences his crude remark.

"Maybe I should reconsider my position on how to deal with him," Mason starts, ready to deliver Fallan another clean kick to the side.

"Alright!" Fallan screams, sitting up with his arms raised. "I'd rather not get beaten to death before I can explain my side of everything," Fallan hisses. The cocky attitude he chose to carry quickly fades the longer we circle him.

"I was playing his side," Fallan snaps, giving us all a stern look. "After I realized how deep I was into the situation and I admitted some truths to myself about my feelings for Forest that I could not come back from, I knew I could no longer play the part Elyon wanted me to. I thought by staying close to the man, I might get some insight as to what is at play here-"

"Bullshit," I hiss, sensing his thoughts before he has had the opportunity to spew his web of lies. "You seriously are going to sit here and tell me you have found enough feelings for Forest that you thought by playing Elyon's little pet, you might be saving her and us?" I question, his eyes going wide.

"Xavier-"

"Don't fucking utter my name as if we are mutuals. And sure as hell don't group your fucking justifications for being a backstabbing little shit with the name Forest Evermoore," I hiss, shoving my finger into his chest. "The only reason you are sitting here, trying to convince us you are on our side, is because her little stunt was not something you had planned for."

Shaking his head at me, he lowers his gaze.

"I do have love for her, for all of you," he mutters, giving a glance to his childhood friends he so carelessly tossed away. "Don't you think I would have fucking ran if I was choosing to serve myself?" he questions. My anger is already escalating.

"Where is my sister?" Kai questions quietly. His gaze is plastered to the floor.

"Mason?" Bekah urges, tapping her watch.

"The love you have for her is the same love Untouchables have for Unfortunate torture," I seethe, leaning so close to the man our noses touch. "Nothing more, nothing less."

"And what makes that type of love any different than what you two have? It seems to be both are equally destructive."

"My sister?" Kai questions again. Mason is now urging Fallan to his feet, trying to get the group in motion.

"Guys, come on, we have to move-"

"Do you have any idea how much pain you caused her?" I question, getting in the man's face. Our eyes are locked, waiting for the other to submit. "Do you have any idea what you stole from her? From me?" I push, narrowing my eyes at the man. "No, you don't," I hiss. "You're nothing but a fucking Unfortunate boy who fucked a crazy bitch and thought it was love. And now, your delusional ass wants to justify your actions as some sadistic bid of love toward the woman who killed your crazy ass girlfriend-"

"You didn't know Dove," Fallan snaps. The true parts of his personality finally slip through the cracks. "And apparently, you barely knew Forest. Perhaps we were both deceived-"

Feeling a pair of hands grab us both, our bodies are forced forward. Both of us nearly clack heads as we are yanked toward Kaiden. He is gripping our shirts in a furious grasp. His eyes blaze with the heat of rage.

"Where the fuck is my sister!" Kaiden snaps. His voice is teetering on the brink of madness.

"She went hand in hand with the Prophet," I whisper. Fallan picks up where I left off.

"Right after she cut off my hand and tossed lover boy back his engagement ring," Fallan says. Kai's eyes are hazed with betrayal.

"Forest wouldn't do that," Kai smiles. Shoving Fallan back, his focus now on me.

"That was part of your plan, right? This is all part of some plan you made with her?" Kai questions in a plea. His voice is shaking with adrenaline.

"You all have about ten fucking seconds to keep talking before we grab all of you and continue this conversation elsewhere," Mason snaps, no longer willing to let us stand here to continue making our revelations.

"K-Kai, we need to go," I start. Grabbing the man, the impending sound of approaching footsteps rattles off in my ears.

"Xavier-" Kai starts again. His hands brush across my front. His voice is rigid with the presence of emotion.

"Kai, move-"

"Xavier Evermoore!" Kai screams. His hands grab the sides of my face, forcing me to look at him. "Tell me she didn't do that!" he yells. His voice cracks with emotion.

Barely able to look Kai in the eyes, I see Andrew in his expression. The countless Blackburn lives stolen are trapped in the iris of his eyes.

He has lost so much.

How much more can he take?

"She's gone, Kaiden," I reiterate once more. His kind expression fades into something much more challenging to stomach.

After all he has lost, not once has he looked at me as he does now.

"She left me?" he asks as if the answer is floating in the air between us.

"She left both of us," I shudder, my body rigid at the realization. "And I don't think she's coming back."

Saying nothing, Kai slowly rises to his feet. His expression is blanketed with betrayal.

"She wouldn't," Kai snaps, his head shaking vigorously. "She wouldn't-"

"She would," Fallan says without thinking. His cold gaze is set on every person in the room. "And she did so with a smile."

It doesn't matter what that cancer says now.

Once we are alone, I will ensure he feels the pain he has caused.

Shifting uncomfortably at my expression, Fallan cocks his head. His brows are heavy with the presence of sweat.

He knows I'm coming for him.

"How the fuck are you here?" Valerie exclaims, finally breaking her long streak of silence. Her hands shove Fallan as hard as she can.

Holding back his cousin, Aaron looks defeated. His job to choose who to comfort right now brings him great distress.

"We've all made our deals," Fallan hisses. "It is all about perspective. The side I chose to follow is the one you deemed evil. How do you think you all look from where I stand?" he questions, his voice feeding me the motivation I need to move.

"You won't live long enough to get that answer," I hiss, ready to tear this man apart.

"I like the ambition, Evermoore," Mason seethes, his hand clamping around my shoulder. "And trust me, I am the last person to stop you from delivering this asshole the punishment he deserves, but it's time for us to get going if you plan on living long enough to make him suffer."

Craning his neck, Mason forces Fallan forward, his hand grasping his neck.

"Help me Winnow us back to New Hope," Mason snaps at Fallan.

A scoff rumbles from his throat.

"I'm not-"

Grabbing his bloodied stump, I pry at the skin, watching his eyes grow wide as the burning hot pain of his own flesh ripping comes over him.

Driving his foot down on Fallan's, Mason throws the man a stern look, waiting for Fallan to oblige.

"W-Who the hell even are you?" Fallan yells. A smirk pulls along Mason's lips.

"Just a dirty Shifter," Mason smiles. "With a taste for Marked blood, pretty boy, so-"

Without many other words, Fallan nods his head, gathering who he can in his arms. His body is shaking from the pain.

Joining the group, Bekah aims her weapon toward the oncoming Officials. All of their weapons are raised, their focus dead set on us.

Sinking in my arms, tears coat Kai's face. His voice is on the edge of bawling.

Grabbing the side of his face, I get him to focus on me the way he had me, our foreheads pressing together, the last bit of Forest left standing right before me.

"I'm not leaving without my sister," he sobs.

"Forest is gone, Kai," I hiss, the bite in my words unbearable for both of us.

Can I stand to look at him now?

What will I see when he looks at me?

The best parts of Forest or the worst?

Holding it together, all he gives me is a nod.

"Time to go."

Winnowing away from the gun fire, I ease into the movement, watching the world around me fade. Her ring is tucked into the depths of my pocket as my heart settles into a million different pieces.