Page 146

A Politician’s Game

T he table is filled with men and Regina when we are brought into the room. It’s so early, sunlight barely streams through the glass windows, however, I had been awake early, ready to leave this place with an answer one way or another. I had been dressed, washed, and ready by sunup.

When we get there, I spot her sitting in my seat at the head of the table, so I grab another chair and pull it to the other end and sit.

She narrows her eyes on me, but forces a smile as my men spread out around me and her guards behind her.

The divide is clear in the room, the tension high as we all wait for the other to make a move and shatter the silence.

“We have discussed your terms,” she begins, sipping from a mug as she watches me across the table.

I wait, not bothering to speak, and her eyes twitch in displeasure. “As you might have seen, we have been undergoing an attack from inside our own walls, this, plus the fact that I have been persuaded we were in the wrong to come into your lands…we have agreed to your terms,” she states.

“Good, took you long enough,” I taunt, but inside I sigh, thank fuck.

I was starting to get worried, maybe this plan will work after all.

“You will bring the men responsible for my men’s torture?

” I confirm, and she inclines her head, but I spot the harsh grip she has on the mug.

I’m betting she was outvoted by this because she doesn’t seem like the type to want to give in, even when faced with odds she couldn’t win against. “They are being brought down to the lobby as we speak. We thought you might want an audience, to show what the people outside these walls are capable of.”

Fuck, she has managed to twist it. It will make us look like the ones who are in the wrong. She smiles, knowing I have come to that conclusion, and it’s my turn to grind my teeth. Shit, I need to think fast.

“Of course, shall we?” I inquire, bluffing, and she scowls but stands.

“Let’s,” she snaps, thinking she has won this round.

We all follow her to the elevator, having to split in two to fit as I rack my brain, trying to think of what to do to make this better.

If the people of the Cities see me executing men with no explanation, they will rally with Regina and never follow Strand.

No, I have to make this look like they are the bad guys, or all of this is for nothing.

The ride down is over quickly, too quickly, and I don’t have a plan.

We are led across the lobby like a firing squad and out onto the steps of the building where six men are waiting on their knees, with fear in their eyes and a crowd gathered there waiting for what will happen.

I spot our faces being broadcasted and the screens held across the square.

Shit, I bet this was her plan and why she was waiting to tell us, she needed time to put this in place.

She steps forward, silencing the crowd with her hand in the air.

I search the ranks distractedly, tuning out her speech.

Major would know how to twist this, but me?

I don’t, who the fuck did I think I was coming here and demanding things?

I’m not smart enough and now I’ve been played.

This will cause a riot and we will be lucky to escape with our lives, and when we attack with the army and kill them, we will look like the savages she accused us of being. We got played.

“As you can see, we have come to a peace treaty with the Northern people, they have demanded these men in sacrifice, and we have agreed to save our great city—” Motherfucker.

I look to Maxen for help, but he is frowning, his eyes filled with the same conclusion I have come to.

Just then, during Regina’s speech, I spot movement in the crowd.

People are being pushed out of the way as a man races towards us.

I scan his face for hints of familiarity but find none.

Who is he? I watch him come, looking towards the guards, but they are distracted trying to contain the outcry from the amassed people with the announcement of the executions to take place, and don’t see him coming.

He changes direction now, his eyes hard and face determined, heading straight for a still speaking Regina.

Fuck, it’s an assassin. I move without thinking, leaping at him as he breaks from the crowd.

People scream, seeing the bomb strapped to his chest as he points at Regina, his voice booming, “You will pay for—”

I tackle him to the ground and squeeze my eyes shut, expecting an explosion at any minute to blow me sky high.

When nothing happens, I open my eyes and look down to see him knocked out, his hand holding what looks like a trigger for the device.

I kick it away and search him for weapons as my men surround me, checking for injuries before helping me up.

Guards are surrounding Regina, aiming into the crowd, it’s a mess. They are turning on her own people.

That’s when it hits me.

Standing up, I scan the dazed and scared Cities people, all fighting to get away, some not understanding why they are panicking, but fighting them all the same.

I grab the discarded mic and step into the camera.

“People of the Cities!” I yell, and the crowd looks my way, slowly stilling, their scream tapering off as they realise the threat is neutralized.

“I have saved your leader from death as she hid behind her people, leaving you to certain death. I feel you can accept this is bad leadership, as is the speech she just gave. It was not the truth. These men kneeling on these steps aren’t good men, they hurt my family.

They tortured those I love, tortured them for information about me and my people beyond these walls.

They stole them from me and hurt them, yet I showed no violence when I came here with an extended hand of peace.

Not ten minutes ago, your leaders and I agreed on peace, but now I see that was all for show.

Another manipulation. Yes, I asked for these men’s death, I won’t lie, but look at the men on the steps by my side. ”

I search the crowd, seeing them start to listen to me, and I fucking hope this is working, because I am bullshitting out of my ears at this point.

“You know them, they are one of you, they grew up here, on these streets, and fought to protect you. They were sent north, into my lands to spy on us, and report back so your guards could march on the North, because the truth is your Cities will not last. Your food is running out, you know this, you’ve seen the cullings, yet your rich stand here on these steps well-fed and rested. How can this be right?”

I stop then, looking around at the faces before me.

“Our peace still stands, we will leave the Cities today and go home with no intention of attacking these walls. What comes after is up to you. It is not too late to save your people—all your people, not just those gathered in this square, but all three Cities. Look inside and look deep, are massacres to save the few the way to go? Or is there a leader more suited here? I will leave you with that and these men on the steps, men I am betting have hurt more than just the ones I love. Today, these savages leave you with options to save your future. We leave you with a decision to make, now, it is up to you.” With that, I drop the mic, looking over at Regina.

“I accept your terms, we are leaving now. Don’t ever come north or you will die.” I look at my men and they step closer as we leave the steps. Madness is breaking out in the square, public outcry, but over it I hear Regina’s voice.

“You made a mistake here!” she yells, but I ignore her, not looking back. No, I didn’t make a mistake, I lit the match that will burn this whole place down. I fanned the flames of war.

We slip through the crowd, my men staying behind me as we break out into the streets, which are filled with confused people.

No one knows what is happening, but I can almost feel the change in the air.

Even if they don’t ever change, this confusion gives us enough time to escape the Cities and get a head start on them.

No doubt Regina is amassing her guards now to send them after us, probably has been for days, but with that final insult in front of her people, she will have to. I know she will.

When we reach almost empty streets leading to the gate, a man slips from the shadows, slow clapping with a grin, and I laugh when I see him—Dray.

“Good going, soulmate,” he purrs, and I wink.

“Seems you have found your lost boys. I think that’s our cue to exit?

” he inquires, nodding when we hear horns blaring near the city center and an announcement declaring citywide martial law.

“Seems like you had fun with your bombs,” I comment, and laugh as he falls into step next to me as we head to the gate up ahead, our steps light and quick.

“Oh, it was magnificent, you should have been there. We should conquer cities more often, wife.” I snort and look around, checking for guards, but it’s quiet here, and when we reach the gate the guards there open it with no issue.

We leave before they change their minds, the gears cranking as it slams shut with a resounding bang behind us, holding in the chaos we created there.

My bike is still waiting there, but so are five others.

I don’t ask, but I know Dray is responsible when he heads over.

“Time to lead the lambs to slaughter. Are they ready?” he asks, swinging on one and looking at me, his eyes blazing with the heat of battle.

“Let’s do it,” I declare, striding to my bike and slipping on, grinning when I spot my weapons there.

He winks at me. “Broke in and got them for you.”

“Crazy bastard,” I mutter, and he laughs as we start up our bikes.

I meet the eyes of all my other men and they nod, we are ready.

It’s time.