Page 38 of Master B-0361
“The last clip,” I forced out.
The scene was of the guard pushing his way through. He was pulling out the gun as he spoke and pointed it at the slave.
“Jett has lots of tricks. Jett says goodbye.”
The shots had multiple people in the crowd jumping. Jett surged to his feet, shaking his head as he panted through the panic.
“I didn’t send that guard! That wasn’t me!Mom.”
He was pushed back down as Hale flew from his chair. Guards rushed towards him, but with how large Hale was, they didn’t stand a chance. He was suddenly sobbing, roaring and yelling as he fought off three guards. Then five.
“Order!” I stood, slamming the gavel down. “Order! Hale.Hale Rivers!”
At my own roar, the new Master grew still, his eyes locked on me…waiting.
“Sit down while we vote on sentencing. Should justice present itself, it is your call. You are now the River’s heir. You are the responsible party here. You will act like it. Sit.”
He was still breathing heavily, glaring, even if it was at me. But he was walking back, moving back to his chair as I continued standing.
“There. The evidence has been presented. Members, stand. We will go down the line. Remember, a guilty verdict means you find him guilty on all accounts and are in favor of death. I will start at the end, and we’ll work our way down. I will be last.” I looked at the far end of our board setting. “What do you say, Member Five?”
“Guilty.”
Melissa tried to hold in her sob, pushing the handkerchief harder into her mouth. The room was silent as the witnesses waited.
“Member Four?”
“Guilty.”
“Member Three?”
“Guilty.”
A loud whimper left Melissa as tears poured down her face. I looked to Master One. His expression was hard. He knew what this meant. A war in our circle. One that would send a ripple down the Collective High Council. Our beautiful oiled machine was about to sputter to a stop as it regeared in a new direction, and although I should have feared the consequences of that, the darkest part of me was ready.
“Member Two?”
“Guilty.”
“No. No.Jett.”
“Main Master?”
The members spoke in unison. I looked at Jett. I took in Melissa and her pleading eyes. And I moved to Hale. To the man who I’d brought in to be my own protector. My closest, new confidant. A friend. A spy. I hated losing Sebastian, but I had Hale so mindlocked to me, it couldn’t have turned out any better. He’d follow my every order. He’d obey my every command. He’d bring this circle together like no one else. I had plans for him…but that was another story.
“Guilty,” I said, firmly.
“No!No!”
I ignored Melissa’s breakdown to continue. “Master Twenty-two, you have been found guilty on all counts and have been condemned to death. You will be brought out to the execution stage where you will be beheaded in front of everyone for your crimes.” I turned to Hale. “As of this very moment, Jett LaRoe is no longer a Master of the Garden of the Gods. He now belongs to you. How would you prefer he die? By executioner or by you?”
“He’s mine?”
I paused as he stood.
“His life is, yes. How do you wish to proceed?”
Screams went up as Hale raced forward again. The guards jerked to attention but didn’t move as most looked to me. I shook my head, watching as one caught Melissa as she flew forward to make her way to Jett. He jerked against the chains, trying to run, but other than moving a few feet, he was trapped.