Page 121 of The Cerulean Sister
"We have. The 99th Commander is on his way."
My Estate guards return to my side, looking a little lost and useless with their swords drawn.
"Why isn't the fucking bell ringing?" I snap at them.
"You have her, High Priestess. There is no need," the Estate guard stutters.
"The people in the coup were dressed as workers. How many of them may have put those clothes back on when the attack was over . . . or a priestess gown?"
They all look at the woman I am holding, the small amount of her veil still visible through my light. "We cannot give that order. The emperor or the highest must."
I get to my feet, disgusted with them, holding my hand firmly outward, my elbow locked and unyielding.
Everyone remains in place as we wait for more people to arrive. I can feel myself draining, bottoming out from exhaustion. I have never held my light open for this long, never restrained someone who was actively trying to free themselves.
The moment I hear footsteps coming toward the temple’s entrance, I know it is 99.
He enters, his helmet slightly turning as he looks around the room to the glowing green orb I have the prisoner in, and then he locks onto me as he storms up the aisle.
The woman tries to squirm at the sight of him, at how much larger he is compared to all the other commanders with guns pointed at her. Her eyes bulge and water, her mouth still held open, jaw locked.
"Release her." His tone is so cold I do not think he is talking to me until he looks over his shoulder in my direction.
My light withdraws from her body slowly enough for the commanders who came in with 99 to take over.
99 looms over her as her arms are held. She spits and curses at him as he pulls her long veil to the side and a strange metal square strapped to her hip falls to the ground.
The Estate guards recoil like the square will attack them.
99 squats next to it, observing it silently. "We need a weapons specialist here," he says into his forearm.
"Exalt me, First Son, most wicked of children. Find me to be worthy of The After when death comes for me! See that I serve you!" the woman says with her head tilted up toward the ceiling.
The prayer sends chills across my skin.
"Question them." 99 rises and gestures to the other commanders. "Both of them."
A commander comes next to me, guiding me away from the others.
"What are you doing?" I pull my arm away from his hovering palm.
"This way, High Priestess. It will only take a moment."
My head snaps at the sound of the familiar voice. Commander Wesley repeats himself softer so I know for sure it is him.
99 is making it seem like he does not trust anyone in this room, that I have no special treatment in front of the Estate guards. I know he is doing it to protect me, but it physically hurts to hear him speak like he does not know me.
I follow Commander Wesley off to the side until I reach a pew along the back wall. I sit and watch the other commanders question the woman whose arms they hold, their voices hushed as 99 listens and asks his own.
The Estate guards keep their eyes on the floor of the aisle where the mysterious square still sits. They look out of their depth, their embarrassment over the Viathans taking charge making them furious.
"You are shaking," Commander Wesley says, standing with his back to the others.
"I am fine."
"Your lip is bleeding too."
I run my tongue over it and taste the metallic blood there.
