Chapter Five
The Unmarked, Book One
Dawn
Twelve Hours Earlier.
The morning sun filtered through the window of the Governor’s office. The sunlight revealed the particles of dust slowly floating in the air. It cast a golden glow across the Governor’s face as he observed every statement, every passport, and every detail of the map given to him by Dawn.
The room was filled with heavy oak furniture and a think rug underfoot. The sounds of rustling pages or a creak in the chair came across as deafening in the otherwise silent space. The moment felt stretched. Dawn felt restless.
Two Guardians stood by the door. They wore navy from head to toe. Dawn had noticed, on her way in, that their Markings displayed their rank as Second Order. The observation perplexed her, since guards were normally of the Third Order. Then she wondered why there were guards in the office in the first place. Normally one would be posted outside to ensure no one disturbed the Governor.
The sound of the Governor reaching for another document broke Dawn’s thoughts. He took hold of Lilly’s letter and Dawn’s heart seized in her chest. She sat uncomfortably as he read the words. It would be a lie to say that Dawn hadn’t debated showing him the letter. There was something personal and deeply vulnerable about it. It exposed how much Dawn had trusted her mentor, and how naïve she had been for doing so. She felt embarrassed by it. But Dawn refused to keep anything that might be of value hidden from the Governor. She believed that the letter would be the determining factor of her innocence. It demonstrated her refusal partake in Lilly’s rebellion, despite how much Lilly believed she would. As the Governor continued to read, Dawn searched his face, but his usual stern expression gave no hint of what he was thinking.
There was an underlying sensation of guilt in the pit of her stomach, but Dawn fought to shove it down. Her duty to Tariah and Erom came before her mentor. Lilly had betrayed her along with the rest of the Land. Dawn would not feel guilty for fulfilling her duty as Guardian of Third Order. When she had vowed to serve the Queendom, she had vowed to do so at all costs. She would not treat Lilly any different than she would any other traitor to the Crown. And if this was anything other than duty, it was self-preservation. Dawn would not have a liar and a heretic endanger her life for a cause that she did not believe in. It was a horrible and selfish thing Lilly had done. Dawn would not feel culpable for protecting herself. Lilly had probably been executed by now, anyways. Her mentor’s blood would not be on her hands.
Dawn hardened her heart at the thought of Lilly’s death.
The Governor set the letter down. He laced his fingers together and pierced her with his gaze. Dawn forced herself not to shy away. He looked very much like River, and would have even more so if River had his Father’s black hair, blue eyes and dark, Southern skin. River had inherited his fairness from his mother.
The Governor studied Dawn. Even though he never openly displayed it, Dawn had the impression that the Governor did not like her. He had always been cold with her. Even now, she could feel the chill of his stare. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he spoke.
“You have provided very valuable information to the Queendom, Dawn Brookesdaughter”. His use of her full name rubbed her the wrong way. It created a disconnect between them, as if he was unaware of the fact that she and his son had practically grown up together.
“This will be pivotal in the extermination of the Rebels and in the sustenance of Erom”. He continued. “Providing Her Eminence with this information is an act worthy of great reward.”
Dawn tried to feel proud, but his tone held no praise. Her palms began to sweat.
She could feel the stare of the guards drilling into her back.
Something about this meeting felt terribly wrong.
“Rewards such as higher ranking…” the Governor continued. Tension began to build up in the room. “The person who will give Her Eminence this information will be very…blessed”.
His tone sent a chill through her, and her muscles stiffened. Dawn felt like a rabbit surrounded by a pack of wolves, staring straight into the eyes of the Alpha.
“Don’t you think?” he continued.
Dawn clenched her good hand into a fist and forced herself to speak steadily. “Indeed”.
“Mmm…” The Governor’s eyes slowly drifted from her and fell to the guards. “Yes, well, I think we are done here, Miss Brookesdaughter”, he said, his look sending an unspoken message to the Guardians.
She heard them shuffling. Alarm shot through her.
The Governor’s gaze wandered back to her. They watched each other, prey and predator. Dawn held her breath, fearing that even the slightest move would unleash chaos.
She counted off her heartbeats.
One…
She needed to get out of there.
Two…
Where was the closest exit?
Three…
She would have to fight.
Four.
She exhaled.
The wolves lunged.
Chaos unleashed.
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