Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,163

painful grunts gurgled as if blood was caught in his throat. Cyler swiftly kicked him in the temple, knocking him out.

"That could work," Cyler mused while stroking his chin. "Do you know any dignitaries far away from here with strong ties to Lackley? Someone that wouldn't come without a fight. If you can send him far away for a couple days, keep him occupied, it might give all of us a chance. We need time.”

"Calgore of Saberus," Josiah said. "He's perfect. Wealthy, smart, good friends with Lackley, questionable morals. It would be believable. Didn’t he invent fetters?"

"You're going to have to tell them at a point where it’s believable, Josiah. And it needs to be just enough so Cavil can guess but not enough information for him to know for sure," Cyler said in a low voice.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He wants me to wait until they're beating the shit out of me. Then he wants me to give them just enough of a clue to lead them on a wild goose chase but not enough information to make them feel like they can go ahead and kill me. Quite the gamble, Black."

"I have a feeling you're up to the challenge."

Josiah coughed again, and I furrowed my brow as he leaned back against the wall. "Ash, can you come back here tomorrow?" Josiah asked.

"You seriously think that's a good idea?" Cyler interrupted. "Selfish prick."

"I need to see her!" Josiah raised his voice.

"Coming here not only wouldn't be safe but also really fucking cruel. How could you want her to see you like this? Blan was already a crazy fucker, but now it’s personal. We need to keep her far away from him."

Josiah slumped his shoulders, and his head rolled forward before he perked back up. "Why don't you let Ash decide?"

They both went quiet, and I took a moment to think. "When you love someone, you want what’s best for them, Jo. Even if it means accepting that what’s best doesn't include you." I stood and turned to leave the dirty Ethros prison when Josiah spoke.

"Why do you think I fucking let you go to Dormas in the first place? Why do you think I've done all of this? Everything I did was for you, Ash. Everything. So don't you fucking tell me I didn't love you enough to let go, because I did."

Josiah wheezed and coughed, his outburst straining against his bruised and damaged vocal cords. Cyler grabbed my hand and walked me outside. Away from Blan. Away from Josiah. Away from the pain of everything that was and could have been.

Chapter Seven

Cyler recognized my need for silence as we walked back to Cavil's manor, but he kept his hand tightly wrapped around mine. Once back in the kitchen, Cyler lightly lifted me up and placed me on the concrete countertop. He held my chin and lightly dabbed my neck with a wet washcloth. Josiah's blood covered my skin, my dress, my soul. When Cyler moved to wipe my cheek, I flinched. It was tender to the touch, and I winced when I realized it would bruise. I was thankful for Cyler, but now I couldn't help worry about all the consequences. Blan was Cavil's right-hand man. Cavil would punish me, or worse, Cyler.

"I have half a mind to go back and murder that son of a bitch," Cyler mumbled. He wrung out the cloth, and the sight of bloody water dripping down the drain made me clutch my chest.

“Cy, what if they punish you for defending me? This is bad, really bad.”

“I’d like to see them try. I will always defend and protect what’s mine.”

“Am I yours, Cyler?” I asked with a cheeky grin. Despite it all, I still liked pushing his buttons. I’m sure I looked ridiculous covered in blood and dirt, trying to flirt, but I needed something sweet to distract me from the turmoil.

“Since the moment I caught you stealing my luggage,” he joked just as Huxley entered the room. At first, Hux wore a bored expression as he leaned against the wall, but once he saw me, his fiery gaze was sweeping and analyzing every inch of my appearance. My blood-stained dress. The bruise forming on my cheek.

"What happened?" he growled out through clenched teeth. He gripped the countertop as if trying to hold himself back.

"Blan backhanded—" Cyler began, but Hux cut him off.

"He better be dead in a ditch." Hux began shaking with adrenaline. He took a step towards me, and Cyler