Page 5 of Fate of the Fallen

Her.

Together with him.

Close in ways I always tried to convince myself she wouldn’t even consider. However, the proof was the second heartbeat. It made it impossible to ignore that they were intimate in every sense of the word.

At the sound of Roz’s voice, I realized my fists were clenched into tight fists.

“What are the Elders saying?” she asked, that quaking in her voice still evident.

I shook my head as if she were here in the flesh, having this conversation face-to-face.

“They haven’t said anything yet. At least not to me,” I added, glancing up toward Richie as he paced.

“Isn’t there a way we can—”

I cut her off, knowing the rest of that statement was about to infect usbothwith false hope.

“No, there’s nothing,” I said flatly. “And I have to end the call. I shouldn’t even be doing this, I just … I wanted you to know I was okay,” I explained, adding more than I intended to share just a moment ago. “And I wanted … I needed to hear your voice.”

Roz was silent on the other end, maybe letting the full breadth of the situation sink in.

“Promise you’ll send word whenever you can?Howeveryou can?” she added.

“Of course,” I promised.

A lingering silence hinted that we both had more to say, but then the line went dead. Over the last few months, my feelings for Roz had deepened more than either of us saw coming. However, expressing those feelings hadn’t been easy. And now, the idea of telling her underthesecircumstances—while I was locked in this cage, while she was dealing with her own stuff—would have been the worst possible timing yet.

“Everything good?” Richie asked when his phone was safe in his pocket.

I let go of a sharp breath before answering. “She’s safe. That’ll have to be enough for now.”

I didn’t mention what she said about an Elder and the Chancellor being at her house when she made it home this morning.

Richie nodded and I knew him well enough to recognize he was at a loss right now. He’d gotten so used to being in control and having all the answers, he didn’t seem to know quite what to say in this moment—when my freedom, mylife,hung in the balance.

“I’ll uh … I’ll get back as soon as I can with updates,” he blurted. “Me and some of the guys are heading out to take care of something in a bit.”

I stared at his feet when he turned, not understanding what there was for him to take care of. However, I could only focus on the fact that an he’d be on his way soon, leaving me down here to go insane in the silence.

His gaze lifted to meet mine when he spoke again. “I’m doing everything I can, Nick.”

The promise was heartfelt, and I knew he meant it. For now, it was the only thing I could cling to.

I passed a dim, cynical smile his way when I nodded. “I know. Be here when you get back.”

Chapter Two

Liam

The number of guards outside had tripled since morning, and rightfully so considering how our circumstances changed. This—the sitting, the waiting—was unnerving. It wasn’t in my nature to sit idle, but rather to take action in times like these. And now, with the arrival of nightfall, it was time to do just that.

The first step toward retaliation was a recon mission. We had to see what we were up against. Sebastian had already made two bold statements—the flood, and then the bodies left to rot on the property of the Stokes estate. Meanwhile, we’d done nothing, but that would finally change once we knew what tricks he had up his sleeve. And as soon as we did, a hell storm would be unleashed on him, on his army.

I’d make sure of it.

We had it on good authority the Sovereign was holed up about thirty miles north in Ridge Borough—a now abandoned fishing town just off the shore of Lake Huron. There hadn’t been residents to speak of in decades, so the landscape was mostly historical landmarks and dilapidated buildings; perfect for a band of murderers needing to hide out while plotting their next move in secret.

The guys and I were done being spectators as things went awry in Seaton Falls, done waiting for the Council to give the command to strike. They might disapprove of our insubordination, but so be it. Tonight, fewer than a dozen of us would take matters into our own hands, doing what we deemed necessary to protect those we love—with orwithoutthe Council’s permission.