MAXINEThe scent of freshly baked bread filled my nostrils. I blinked awake, against the sunlight coming in through the open curtains. For a moment, I was confused. Where was I? My room didn't have a big window.I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I realized I was in a room I didn’t recognize. It wasn’t my room. The bed was larger and the scent was different. But, it scented strongly of Ronan. I turned my head and saw a tray sitting beside me.There was lots of food— slices of warm bread, butter, eggs, a bowl of fresh fruits, a cup of coffee, and a glass of juice. My stomach growled. It reminded me of how long it had been since I last ate.And then, I noticed him. Ronan was standing by the door. He was leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest, watching me with a small smile.“Morning,” he said.“Morning,” I replied carefully, still trying to remember what had happened. The last thing I remembered was Liam. Channeling the artifact's energy and healing him till it drain
LIAMWhen I came to, the first thing I felt was the cold metal against my wrist. It was tight, biting into my skin. I blinked my eyes open, trying to focus my vision. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar. I tried to move but something held me back.I looked down and saw the chain. It stretched from a cuff around my wrist to a hook in the wall behind the bed. Where was I? The last thing I remembered was being in the dark cell.I tried to sit up, and pain shot through my chest and spread to my limbs. I winced, biting back a groan. My mouth was dry. How long had I been out?The sound of a chair scraping against the floor caught my attention. I turned my head and saw Varis, slumped in a chair a few feet away. He was dozing, his head resting against the wall. His arms were crossed over his chest. He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes.I shifted again, the chains making sounds and Varis’s eyes flew open. He blinked and then focused on me.“You’re awake,” he said. His voice so
MAXINEI made a mistake.I realized it with a sinking feeling as the days passed in a blur. It was like each one blended into the next like water. The first day, I told myself Ronan would come back. He would open the door, walk through it and there would be some explanation. He would tell me it was a misunderstanding or just a test of my loyalty.But as the hours passed, no one came. The walls of the room began to seem closer than they were. Suddenly my room was closed. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door. I was mentally begging it to open.But it never did, no Ronan, no guards either. There was no sound of footsteps, nothing but the sound of my breath and the sound of my heartbeat in my ears.I couldn’t help but replay the moment in my head, over and over again. Ronan had looked at me with so much disappointment on his face. His eyes had hardened. They were never like that with me. And the way he turned away from me despite how I called? It still sent shivers down my ba
MAXINEI felt fear and relief. Ronan wanted to see me. Was this my chance to explain and make things right?I nodded and followed the guard down the hallway. We reached a door and I knew that I hadn't been there before. The guard knocked once before opening it. I stepped inside and my heart raced against my chest.It was an office. Ronan was sitting behind the desk. The look on his face was unreadable but it was cold. He didn’t look up as I entered. His eyes were fixed on some papers in front of him.I stood there waiting, my hands clasped in front of me. I wanted to say something to break the silence, but the words wouldn’t come. I swallowed hard. What did he want from me now?I didn’t ask, I didn’t dare. I just stood there, waiting for whatever came next. Finally, he looked up. There was no kindness in his gaze. “I have a job for you,” he said coldly. “You’re going to finish what you started. You’re going to help me flush out the rest of the rebels.”My heart sank. I knew what he wa
MAXINEIt started to rain.The rain fell lightly at first, with just a few drops hitting the ground. I barely noticed, my mind was laser-focused on the path ahead. I kept running through the plan Ronan had laid out for me. I led them down paths and through narrow streets until we reached the clearing where the safe house was supposed to be.I paused, turning back to them. “We’re here,” I said.Jahrek nodded, gesturing for the others to follow him. “Alright, let’s get inside before anyone sees us,” he said.But as they stepped forward, the sound of boots crunching on the ground rose to the air. The rebels froze, their eyes widening. I watched as soldiers emerged from the shadows. Their weapons were drawn, surrounding them. It was a trap. And they had walked right into it.Panic spread through the group. “Maxine!” Jahrek shouted, looking at me with shock. “What’s happening? What have you done?”I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I just stood there, watching as the rebels were rounded up. The
RONANMaxine looked broken.I left her alone for a while. I figured she needed space. And I needed space as well. The only reason I made her do that was to punish her. She had broken my trust. The moment I had her freedom, she went around to find Zel. Was she trying to escape? Did what we have to mean nothing?Even with the fact that she had done this to prove herself to me, I wanted to show her just how strong she was. I wanted to show her real strength.The days apart passed like a slow blur. Despite the space, I spent almost every morning going to her door and just waiting there. Every morning, the only sound I received was silence. I barely heard her move whenever I came to check up on her.I tried calling her name but I was always held back. I needed her to understand what she had done.It had been three days since the betrayal. Three long days since I had sent her out there to prove herself and show me that she wasn’t my enemy. She had done what I asked and delivered the rebels
RONAN“Ronan,” she said through her crying. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”“Shhh,” I whispered, reaching out to touch her hand. But, she pulled away, covering her face as the tears fell.“I broke your trust,” she sobbed. “I went to find Zel, I didn’t mean to… I didn’t want to betray you…”I had done this. I had driven her to the point that she was in desperate need of forgiveness. I wanted to tell her it was alright. I wasn't bothered but the words stuck in my throat.“And the rebels,” she continued. “All those people I captured, you know, I can’t stop seeing their faces, I betrayed them too. I don’t know how to live with that.”I leaned in and took her hands gently in mine. “Listen to me, Maxine,” I said. “I won’t hurt them. I promise you that. I only needed to know where they stood. They’ll be treated fairly. I’ll make sure of it.”She blinked up at me, tears still streaming down her cheeks. “You promise?” she asked.“I promise. I won’t hurt them. I swear it.”Her shoulders sagged w
RONANShe was quiet for a long time. I didn’t know if she believed me. I didn’t know if she ever could. But as I held her in the dark, I knew that I would do whatever it took to heal her wounds.Slowly, I felt her relax completely against me. I knew she had fallen asleep. I continued to hold her, my fingers gently running through her hair. I didn't want to disturb her, but I needed her to know I was there.She shifted slightly in her sleep, her hand curling into the fabric of my shirt. I felt a small pang in my chest. It was a feeling I wasn’t ready to name.I watched her for a long time, the way her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks. She looked so small and vulnerable. I realized how much I had taken for granted. I had demanded so much from her, and I had given so little in return. Only pain.As the first light of dawn came through the window, I felt her move again. Her eyes opened slowly. She looked up at me.“You’re still here?” she asked, uncertain.I nodded, my hand touching