Page 200 of Powerless

“Go!” he yells, his voice breaking. “Go before I find someone who isn’t a coward, someone who isn’t a fool, and let them bury this dagger in your back right here, right now.”

I stumble, tripping over uneven ground before turning away from him. And then I’m running again like I’ve found myself doing all day, all my life. I throw a glance over my shoulder, glimpsing Kai dropping to his knees beside the king with his eyes trained on me.

I swallow the emotions clawing their way up my throat, threatening to leak from my stinging eyes.

I don’t look back.

ChapterSixty-Seven

Kai

How couldI have been so blind, so oblivious?

I’m watching her retreating form grow smaller, watching her escape me—escape a killer.

Except, I didn’t act like the one thing I was born to be.

I didn’t act like the murderer I’ve been molded into.

I let her go.

I let her go.

I look down at her dagger clenched in my fist, its sharp blade slicked with blood.

My father’s blood.

My eyes drift to his lifeless body, to the eyes staring glassily at where Paedyn must have thrown her knife from. I reach out with trembling fingers and close them, unable to stand seeing Kitt’s eyes so lifeless.

I haven’t shed a single tear.

I feel numb.

I feel shocked.

I feel betrayed.

Was anything real to her? Was it all a lie? All pretend?

I know my thoughts should be on the dead king I’m kneeling beside, but they keep wanting to wander back to her.

I could never sense her power. She was untouchable to Silencers. The Resistance didn’t lay a finger on her when they attacked.

Because she is an Ordinary.

Because she is part of the Resistance.

Well, shewas. There is not much to be a part of anymore after today.

How could I not see it before?

I shake my head, already knowing the answer to that question.

Because I was blinded by everything that isher.

She killed him. She killed the king. She killed my father.

And yet I let her go.

---