Chosen (The Warrior Chronicles #1)(46)

Sanders had no f**king idea, but he wished he’d left that girl by the tree where he found her.

“You have never balked at the fact that she can fight,” the Captain went on. “You have always taken her at face value. You see a dangerous person, while the others see a woman playing with knives. I need the other two commanders on board with this—I need a unified front—and we all need what is in Shanti’s head, me most of all. I need you to help me turn them to my way of thinking.”

“You’ve never had a problem with that before.”

“We’ve never had a situation that confronts our prejudices. All our problems have been within the realm of war. They don’t see that this is, too.”

“She has been nothing but disruptive to my life,” Sanders growled.

“Just think what war will be when we meet it unprepared.”

Sanders blew out a breath. That was true. He hated when the Captain used logic.

They walked a while in silence before the Captain said, “Sorry about the… other thing. That was meant for me, I believe. I am not telling you your business, but there is no need to relay that to…anyone else. I would prefer that stayed under the hat.”

“The other thing? You mean the invisible hand on my bells and whistle? Yeah, I don’t need anyone knowing that shit. Sir.”

The Captain nodded once.

They continued out the door and back to business. Sanders couldn’t help wondering how much this strange woman was going to mess up their way of life.

Chapter 23

Shanti was on a bluff above the tent on the edge of the fighting camp. They had taken Simon and left his twin sister Simone in the holding cell. Now they marched him toward a tent at the edge of the huge camp, to one of the higher-level battle commanders who waited outside to receive him.

Simon had his hands tied in front of him and four guards surrounded him. His mind-power was weak and his fighting only decent. It was why they had been able to take him. It was also why only four men could hold him.

“The man you requested, Battle Lord.”

“Yes, thank you. Pass it down that the women aren’t to be touched. The Supreme Being doesn’t want any man’s seed in them but those appointed. Anyone who breaks that rule will be killed slowly and painfully on full display.”

“Yes, Battle Lord.”

The filth gestured to Simon. “Tie him to the bed inside. Make sure he cannot inflict harm. The rest can be distributed. I only require this one.”

“Yes, Battle Lord.”

Shanti closed her eyes as Simon was led out of her sight, into the tent.

Shanti could free him. She could kill the man about to do this thing and take Simon right now. Maybe Simone, too. But she couldn’t get to the rest. They were within the clusters of fighters, spread around. The men would be used like Simon. The girls were being herded to a tent with guards, keeping the others away. She would reveal herself, cause a giant manhunt, and probably eventually get captured herself. She could kill herself, though. She could free herself from a life of rape and torture. She would also kill the hope of all of her people with her, leaving these few to the same existence they faced right now without her help.

Shanti touched Simon’s mind. Gave him a nudge.

She felt his awareness. Then his surprise. Finally…his desire for death.

She spread out her mind, found each of her people. Did the same. And with each, felt the same. Even the women—they knew their fate. They were safe now, but not for long. They couldn’t end it themselves; they needed her.

That’s when she felt it. Simon—his horror. His fear. His grossly intimate abuse.

Something snapped.

Bowing her head, not caring if this was the end, she latched on to each and every mind belonging to her people. So different than the beastly brain patterns of their captors. She focused on them, feeling that two others were going through the same treatment as Simon. They were suffering. She felt it.

With one blast of pure, intense power, she fried them. It took more energy, but it was quicker. Less painful. Most fell dead immediately. The three strongest fell into the pain, not allowing themselves to scream, until finally succumbing to it.

Simon went limp on the crate, his face clearing.

Barely able to stand, sobs choking her, knowing she had just killed people she had known all her life, she fled. Stumbled and ran. Nearly blind, no strength, she made herself keep going. Legs catching on brambles. Dogs barking, chasing her. Men shouting. She had to keep going.

Had to keep going.

****

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

Shanti thrashed at the arms, crying out, struggling away. Her face was pressed against a chest with no give. The arms that held her were like giant bands of cable. She lashed out mentally and splintered on a hard block. Cayan.

“Sssshhhhh. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” His rough voice calmed her. Reassuring.

She drifted back into dreamless sleep. If only keeping going wasn’t so painful.

Chapter 24

The ground cooled slowly as the sizzling sun disappeared entirely from the sky. The electrifying colors of dusk settled into the blues and blacks of night, cloaking the land and hiding its mysteries. Somewhere within the large park Leilius roamed, looking for Shanti, skulking behind trees and blending into bushes, cloaked in black and trying to become the darkness. He was great at hiding, but not so great at moving silently. It was a work in progress.