Page 48 of Unmasked Prophecy

"Only if you give us what we need," he says, his voice smooth and infuriatingly calm.

"I said I would." The words feel like a noose tightening around my neck.

Cyrus returns, his arms full—a bag of saline, vials of medicine, a pack of syringes. He stops, glancing at my father, waiting for orders.

"Get a nurse," my father commands.

Cyrus’s gaze shifts to me and he nods, placing the items down before leaving the tent again and returning a moment later with a nurse. Helga, I think her name is. She glares at me, and I know if she had her way, she would probably put me down just as quick as the rest of them.

"Give this child what she needs," my father orders.

Helga nods, sharply, and gets to work.

"You’re making a mistake," Cyrus mutters, his voice low and defiant. "She’s not your concern. She’s not your responsibility."

"Shut your mouth," I mutter.

Lily whimpers as the needle goes in, and I rush over, squeezing her hand, whispering soothing words that I hope will comfort her. "You’re so brave, honey. So strong. It’s going to be okay. You will feel so much better soon."

The tent is silent except for Lily's labored breathing and the steady drip of the IV. I watch it, unable to look away, counting each drop as if my own life depends on it. In a way, it does. I can’t leave until I’m sure it’s all in her, until I know she has enough to survive the next few days.

Cyrus watches, his eyes dark with anger and something else—maybe disbelief that I’m actually doing this.

I don’t care.

I won’t move until the bag is empty.

I won’t move until I know she's safe.

The minutes drag, each one an eternity.

Then, Lily groans and turns to her side, and suddenly, she’s vomiting everywhere. I gasp, rushing over, but immediately, the smell turns my stomach and before I can stop it, I’m reeling back, my hand over my mouth, my entire body shaking as I try to force the vomit back down.

I can’t.

I rush out of the tent, falling to my knees, not releasing the gun, and I vomit onto the ground. Goddammit. This has never happened to me before, and I know why. Deep down, I know why.

Forcing myself to my feet, I wipe my mouth and take a deep, shaky breath.

Lily needs me.

Turning, I go back into the tent but stop when I see Cyrus and my father at the entrance, their expressions dark.

"It has come true. Everything we ever believed," Cyrus whispers, his eyes wide. "The child prophet is here."

My world spins as I understand what they are saying.

"Change of plans," my father says. "You’re not going anywhere."

No.

"You’re carrying my child," Cyrus says, and his face breaks into a huge smile. "As His word stated, the child will save us all."

Oh.

God.

No.

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