Page 100 of Powerless

Her hands are back on my shoulders, stiff and stubbornly unmoving. Then her eyes are on the sky, choosing to stare at the stars rather than me. She sighs through her nose, silently collecting herself.

And I’m doing the same, trying to pull myself together after she pulled away.

Yes, we are opponents. Yes, I am the future Enforcer. Yes, I’m a killer that has no right to want to keep her. But there is something else, something that has her refusing to admit this confusing connection we share.

Plagues, I’m pissed that I admitted it to myself.

My masks are still at the ready, my walls still in place, but she is slowly breaking down both my facades and fortresses. And I’m suddenly angry at myself for allowing it. For allowing myself tocare. For allowing myself to think of her in any way other than my competition.

Because she’s made it clear that that is all I am to her.

“Kai,” she says quietly, the sound of my name on her lips ripping me from my thoughts. “I—”

A soft, female voice cuts through her words. “Sorry to interrupt, but you both have something I need.”

ChapterTwenty-Nine

Paedyn

The voice echoesfrom all around us. Kai and I jump apart, instinctively swiveling around to press our backs against each other. I squint in the dim light where the outlines of tall, dark figures begin to take shape. A reluctant sigh rings out into the darkness, amplified by the numerous bodies surrounding us.

We’re trapped.

They all take a measured step forward, enclosing us in a human cage of bodies. Dozens of hazel eyes shimmer in the firelight, dark hair and skin gleaming.

Sadie.

“All I want is your bands, and I’ll be on my way.” And then she almost smiles as she looks around at her copies. “Well,we’llbe on our way.”

Kai sighs, seemingly annoyed by all of this. “You knew we wouldn’t give you our bands and yet you interrupted us anyways.”

“Fine,” Sadie says curtly. “Then give me one band and no one has to get hurt.”

My eyes dart to my bow lying a few feet away from me—a few feet awayandbehind the wall of Sadies. I don’t have a single weapon to use to defend myself and I’ve never felt so exposed. It’s like I’ve been stripped bare. I can almost feel the ghost of my father’s dagger against my thigh, making me wish more than anything that I had it here with me.

Several sets of hazel eyes flick between the two of us, still back-to-back, before locking with mine. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if it comes to that.” She pauses, and her voice is even, unfeeling as she says, “I will if it means I’ll win.”

I’m about to open my mouth and respond when callouses brush my own, gripping my hand behind my back. I nearly jerk at the contact, but Kai pries my fist open, pressing something cool and hard into my palm before curling my fingers around it. Then, just as quickly, his hand is gone.

The thing bites into my skin, pointed edges piercing. I fight to keep the smile from my face when I realize what he’s given me.

A weapon. He’s given me a fighting chance.

It’s a small one, but a weapon, nonetheless. I clutch the throwing star in my fist, not caring if the sharp edges pierce my skin. This tiny object could be the difference between life and death.

The only weapon Kai has is the sword belted at his side, but then again, he is a weapon himself. I’m shocked he didn’t feel Sadie’s power creeping up on us, but I suppose I can’t blame him, considering how distractedIwas with his hands on me, his words with underlying meanings, my hammering heartbeat when he gets too close.

I take a deep breath.

Let’s deal with one problem at a time.

“Then I guess you’re going to have to hurt me if you have any hope of getting my band,” I breathe, eyeing the Sadies as they take a slow step forward.

She shakes her head at me, as though disappointed in my decision. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

And then she’s suddenly in front of me, holding the tip of a short dagger to my throat. Before the next thud of my heart, she’s yanked my arm and pulled my back against her chest. The blade she still holds against my throat sinks deeper into my flesh with every shallow breath.

“I’ll only ask once more.” Sadie’s voice is sharp, so unlike the soft tone I’m used to from her. “Give me your leather, Kai, or I’ll slit her throat.”

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