Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,211

make you walk back to the party with your hair a wild mess, because I’d want them all to know what we were up to. I’d want them all to know that I was the lucky bastard that got to worship your body.”

I opened my eyes just as Kemper stepped back to greet Huxley. I looked down to see Kemp’s tented pants and forced myself to keep my hands to myself.

“I leave for a minute and come back to see I’m missing out on all the fun,” he said to me before rolling his eyes at Kemper. “Time to focus now, though. Cavil’s fleet just arrived.”

As if on cue, loud music and cheering filled the gardens, and people crowded towards the entrance to catch a glimpse of Cavil’s arrival. The scene before us was like a bucket of ice on my arousal, and it seemed to make Kemper turn serious as well.

“Well, I guess it’s time,” I said.

“I guess so,” they both replied.

With Huxley leading, we elbowed our way through the crowd towards Cavil and his entourage.

Despite the ridiculous heels Dominique paired with my long, black dress, I still couldn’t see over everyone’s head. The cheers were loud and all consuming, but I distinctly heard Huxley’s gasp as the crowds went silent.

“What’s happening?” I asked before booing erupted.

“How did he even…” Kemper trailed off.

I shook both of their arms, forcing them out of their confused stares until they were looking at me .

“Cavil has Linda Stonewell and Emperor Lackley with him,” Hux finally explained before tapping on his watch.

We looked up just as Cavil, Linda and Lackley went on stage. It wasn’t until then that I realized what truly was going on. There, in a black dress and messy hair, was Linda Stonewell. Her mouth was in a grim line but still covered in her signature plum lipstick. It was too far away to see, but I guessed that her hands were shaking. Lackley was tied up with metal cuffs and looked worse than the last time I saw him. His long, white hair was ratty and full of dirt. His face had various bruises and cuts, and he was hunched over, as if compensating for pain.

A man wearing a black hood and holding an electric sword joined them on stage, and the crowd went silent once again. Everyone seemed to lean forward, as if straining to hear what Cavil would say.

“Hello people of Ethros!” he roared proudly. A man carrying a microphone handed it to Cavil before scurrying off stage.

“I left here with a purpose. I left intending to find the scientist that created X and bring them to justice! But sometimes destiny draws us in different directions.” The crowd cheered and hands were thrown up in the air, as if worshipping him. Cavil was working the crowd, and I was appalled by how easily his people were influenced.

“For years, Lackley has monopolized the vaccine while hiding in his ivory tower. And now, today, I will make him suffer.”

I watched as a silent tear fell down Linda’s face. She looked so vulnerable beneath the bright lights on Cavil’s stage.

“Linda Stonewell was gracious enough to share his location in exchange for her son’s life! And I, your gracious leader, agreed to her arrangement.” Cavil swiftly kicked Lackley in the gut and everyone roared with laughter as he fell forward. The hooded man then pulled Lackley by the hair, forcing him to stand tall again.

People around us were shoved to the side as two guards guided Josiah up to the stage. When they passed us, Josiah’s face brightened at the sight of me, and I felt his fingers brush along my thigh as the guards pushed by. When they got him on stage, Linda immediately rushed to hug him, and I watched as he returned her affection with gentle distance while scanning the crowd for me. They both moved to the side as Lackley continued.

“Oh! How the mighty have fallen!” Cavil screamed. “I’m sure there is no use listing the crimes against Emperor Lackley, for we have all been victims of his for far too long. We are all indebted to the Black family for outing his crimes and to the Stonewell family for letting us know his location.” Cavil grabbed Linda’s hand and she went stiff, her posture so tight that she seemed two inches taller. “In accordance with our laws, Emperor Lackley is allowed one final request.”

The crowd hissed and began shouting. However, Cavil raised his right palm up