Page 28 of Sawoots Story

If enough go Rogue, they’ll murder every honorable Aurelian until it’s just Tasha, me, and a horde of hungry, brutal beasts who want to rut and claim us.

If there’s mutiny, I’ll have to act fast. Do I trust Garrick’s triad to protect me, or do I make a mad dash for the doors, hoping that no one is between me and the loading bay? It’s a near hopeless plan, and I’d have to abandon Tasha to make my escape.

I will never leave her.

Kit stands straight backed. “She’s a fucking criminal, Aelon,” Kit roars. “You’re putting a target on all of our backs by sheltering her.” He shakes his head. “I mean, you were never one for half measures—so why not now? Byyouractions, we’re all Rogue now—so if you’re willing to ignore one set of the Empire’s rules, why notallof them?”

There’s whispers among the Aurelians. I’m no expert in their laws, but I know the Aurelian Empire would demand that we be given over to Aurelian Enforcement, along with the ill-gotten Orbs. If Aelon plans to keep the stolen goods…

And us…

Then every man in his crew could be held accountable. These are hard men. Men who chose Independence over safety. Men who went into Wild Space to conquer and claim their share of the riches of the universe.

The Instigatoris a powder keg. Kit’s trying to start a rebellion.

The second Aurelian of Kit’s triad jumps to his feet without using his cuffed hands. “If we’re going to be Rogue Aurelians for the sake of protecting your wench, then why not betrulyRogue? Women aremeantfor the taking, Aelon—so let’s take!”

The crowd murmurs and I don’t like the way their eyes flit over to Tasha and me. Garrick and his triad close together, putting their big bodies between the crew and me. Their hands move as one, creeping ever so slowly towards their Orb-Blades.

Aelon holds his hands up and the crowd quiets instantly. Even with a third of his crew on the verge of rebellion, they still respect him. “Kit. Your triad is found guilty of attempted rape. The sentence is death.”

His voice is flat. He never looks away from the man he sentenced to death.

The room is deathly quiet. The only thing I can hear is my heartbeat pounding like a drum. Kit opens his mouth, then closes it, stunned. “We’ve fought together for four hundred years, Aelon. I saved your life, remember? You’d throw that all away? For agirl?”

Four hundred years.

Gods.

Now I know why Aelon looks down at the rapist with respect. Why he let Kit have his last words in front of the alien crew.

Four. Hundred. Years. I can’t imagine it. I already feel like Tasha is my sister. How close would we get over centuries? Could I pass fair judgment on her, no matter what atrocities she committed? I owe Tasha my life a dozen times over. How many life-debts does Aelon owe to Kit?

“The sentence is passed.”

Kit holds his head high. His back is straight. His shoulders never slump. He has no fear, or if he does, he forces it down for an honorable death. “Then, I’ll die standing—facing you. Will you have the courage to do it yourself? Or will you hide behind your triad?”

“I’ll do it myself. I owe you that.”

Kit takes a huge breath in. The air of the mess hall is recycled and dry, but it must taste pure and sweet to him.

What does it feel like?

Filling your lungs, knowing it’s one of your last?

I want to throw up. I was hyperventilating when the Toads blasted us with missiles that spelled out our death. This is different. Kit knows it’s the end, and yet he does not buckle.

Kit turns to face the crowd. His eyes don’t even glance over me. I might as well be a bug to him. “See your leader,” he says coldly. “A man who’d choose a human woman over his own brothers.Thisis who you follow.”

His mouth shuts, his jaw clenches, and he faces Aelon without hesitation. The third of his triad jumps to his feet, and the three of them face their executioner. They are silent. Three statues facing eternity. Only hatred colors their features.

Aelon’s hand moves like lighting. He never breaks eye contact as he draws and activates his Orb-Blade.

Ripples of energy and violence extend from the hilt. It’s hard to look at it. It’s an abyss, nothingness yet full of brutal energy, like the last thing you’d see before you’re sucked into a black hole. Itthirsts.He pivots, his leg turning inwards to get speed on his stroke as he takes Kit’s head off in a single stroke.

Kit’s head rolls as his body stands. His eyes stare straight at me. The last thing he feels is hate.

His body stands straight backed, then a geyser of blood shoots from the stump of his neck, and he crumples, never to rise.

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