Page 8 of Retribution
Layla appreciated his help but didn’t think it would make a difference.
The general looked far too angry—and he’d arrived armed to the teeth. For all she knew, he’d already informed the judge about his plans for her. Maybe that’s why the tarp had been brought in.
After another growl, General Zamek approached the chair near the podium and took a seat. His unblinking eyes remained fixed on her. Dark and deadly and filled with the promise of violence.
A terrible thought struck her, and she turned to look at Merokk. “Ambassador, you must promise me something,” she said.
“Yes?”
“Whatever happens, promise you won’t interfere.” The last thing she wanted was another death on her conscience. While Merokk was a skilled warrior and a respected ambassador, if he interfered with the judge’s ruling or physically attacked General Zamek, all the guards in the courtroom would converge on him at once.
“There is no need to make such a promise,” Merokk said. “Zamek will spare your life. I’ve known him for years. He’s hurting and grieving the loss of his wife, but he is an honorable warrior.”
“He’s armed,” she said, a quiver in her voice.
“So am I. It’s not unusual for a Kall warrior to walk around with weapons affixed to his belt.”
Well, Merokk had a point. While out in public, most Kall warriors remained armed at all times. But still… a sword and a battle-ax looked like overkill. Pun not intended. Despite her deepening fear, she had the absurd urge to suddenly laugh. She bit the inside of her cheek. Maybe she was starting to lose her mind.
She turned and faced the front of the courtroom. The judge was still glaring at her and so was General Zamek.
The manic urge to laugh soon faded.
Her gut twisted and she started to feel faint.
Judge Commak began to address the courtroom, listing Michael’s exact crimes—the crimes he would’ve been officially charged with had he not killed himself. The crimes that were now assigned to Layla by default.
Murder and possession of rebel contraband.
The judge held the confiscated rebel flyers above his head, then pressed a button and several still images from Michael’s attack on Shessema briefly flashed on a large screen at the front of the courtroom.
She was surprised only two charges were announced. Usually, a couple of extra false charges were tossed at any humans unfortunate enough to find themselves in a Kall court.
She wondered if this was Merokk’s doing, and her eyes misted at the thought. Even if she died today, she would be grateful to him for all he’d done to help her. His kindness gave her hope. Not all Kall were bloodthirsty and hellbent on punishing humans.
But General Zamek?
His eyes still blazed with hatred, and his right hand kept brushing the hilt of his sword.
She studied his black and gray warrior’s garb, her gaze drawn to the insignia on his uniform shirt. Her stomach did a quick flip. It was the insignia of Sumlin District, the same district where Betsy had been sold as a slave.
Her spirits sank and a shudder rippled through her.
The two mountain towns destroyed by the careless human miners were located in Sumlin District, which meant Kall warriors from this district usually harbored an intense dislike for humans.
Several warriors screamed obscenities at her and called for her execution. The judge rose to his feet and glared at them until they settled, and silence once again blanketed the courtroom. The elderly Kall sat down and looked at her, his stark blue eyes glinting with cruelty.
“When Michael Dennis killed himself, General Zamek was denied his vengeance,” the judge said, his deep voice resounding through the courtroom. “However, Michael Dennis had a wife.” He gestured at Layla. “I hereby decree that the ancient Custom of Retribution will be followed!”
Thunderous cheers erupted, but this time the judge didn’t order the courtroom to be silent. Instead, he simply shouted over the raucous yelling.
“Layla Remington will be given to General Zamek to do with as he pleases! He is free to kill her, torture her or starve her. He can cut her up in pieces in this very courtroom if he wishes,” he said with a dramatic gesture at the tarp.
The shouts in the courtroom made her ears ring and her head spin.
She watched in horror as General Zamek rose to his feet.
Strong hands gripped Layla, two guards yanking her out of the chair.
