Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,278

watched as the announcer nodded at the executioner who made his way forward, carrying the electric ax I recognized from Lackley’s execution in Ethros.

“Do you have any final requests? I’m a good leader, I respect my people,” Cavil said in a bored tone.

Allaire went still for a moment before looking up at Cavil in what seemed like the first defiant moment since arriving on stage. “Let Dominique go,” he growled out, all groveling and submissiveness gone from his tone.

Cavil paused, seemingly impressed with Allaire’s bravery, until he leaned forward and spoke into the mic. “Dominique is my property. The moment I caught you sneaking off with her was the moment she became a prisoner in my home instead of a guest. I should have killed you then, and I’m happy to be killing you now.”

My breathing picked up, and the executioner raised his ax, lifting the glowing blade over his head as Allaire looked up at Cavil. Just before the ax slammed down, severing his head from his body, Allaire let one last ominous statement flow from his lips.

“Then everyone is going to die from X.”

As the blade came down, connecting at the base of his neck where it attached to his shoulders, I watched as the heated blade completely cauterized the slice, severing his head from his body. The cut was clean and smooth. His facial expressions twitched for about three seconds, eyes glassy yet still somewhat aware until the last of his life flickered from view.

But despite all the death and the terrible scene before me, I couldn’t help but focus on what Allaire said. “Then everyone is going to die from X…” What could Dominique possibly have to do with that? Not to mention, if Cavil had Dominique locked up in Ethros, getting to her would be harder than I anticipated. Poor Payne. My heart broke for him.

The crowd around me kept quiet. No one cheered or even seemed bothered by the scientist's death. I expected some reaction, but they just continued to stare on in numbed acceptance. Maverick stood, his face a stoic, stormy blend of anger and regret. Helping the executioner, he put the scientist’s head in a silk sack then exited the stage.

“Let this be a lesson to you all. He who crosses Cavil will die.”

Chapter Eighteen

I leaned into Jacob, and he didn't seem as tense as before. It was comforting to know that I wasn't the only one thankful it wasn't Maverick that fell at the end of the executioner's ax.

Before Cavil exited the stage, he looked over the crowd with beady eyes, and I let out a gasp when his eyes landed on me. Maybe it was my fear and paranoia, but despite the thousands of Walkers around us, I felt his knowing gaze singling me out. I held my breath and kept my chin held high until Cavil exited the stage. "He saw me," I whispered to Jacob.

The walk back to Madam B's manor was long. Eager to see Patrick, Kemper, and Huxley, I took large strides, ignoring the slow-moving Walkers looking about in a haze. At the door of the manor, Louis stood outside with a sanitizing wand. "Strip down and stand behind the curtain to spray yourself," he ordered in a bored tone as we walked up. “Even you, Ash--I mean Shade. You could have the virus on you even though you’re immune.” Sanitizing spray was only forty percent effective, but the Walkers that could afford it still used it. It was especially necessary for Walkers after being in a crowd. You never knew who was infected. You could never be too careful. In the distance, smoke clouds filled the sky. Most Walkers would be burning their clothes tonight. Cavil's required meeting exposed us all, and I couldn't help but wonder if that was intentional on his part.

Jacob rolled his eyes then reached up behind his shoulders and removed his shirt before grabbing the wand and moving behind the screen to spray off.

Huxley and Blythe walked up, and Louis gave them the same spiel. Blythe started stripping out in the open, giving Huxley and Louis an unobstructed view of her body. "Hurry up, Bly. Or I'll tell my Mom you're giving away peep shows for free," Louis said with a playful grin. Their eyes zinged back and forth, a playful passion passing between them like fire. I quirked my brow, momentarily curious about their relationship.

Instead of responding with one of her usual retorts, Blythe scurried past, disappearing behind the