Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,327

water then closing her eyes. “Make him suffer.”

With those three words, Tallis gave a sad nod and prepared to go. But surprisingly, Jules stood and placed a hand on his chest. We all watched their silent conversation. The compassion in Jules’ eyes as she nodded once, an unspoken agreement between them both.

“I’ll take care of it,” she whispered, and I saw Tallis relax a little as if he were thankful to be spared for inflicting violence. Maybe the fierce leader didn’t like bloodshed after all.

Chapter Eleven

Lenny died a gruesome death. Or at least, that’s what I’d come to assume. It sounded excruciating.

Lenny screamed so loudly that everyone could hear his suffering. Even when his voice went hoarse, the haunting torture filled the space. Huxley went with Jules, likely to help her end his life. For once, Huxley’s vengeful and protective nature wasn’t a bad thing. I was desensitized to death, yes, but the screams coming from just outside the city made my skin crawl.

It made me wonder. Did Cavil cry? I couldn’t remember.

If there were doubts about Cyler and the rest of the leadership council strolling in and taking over, the people of Lythe were convinced now. They were naturally suspicious when they first woke up from the tunnel poison, and we couldn’t blame them. The entire empire was built by leaders pretending to have their people’s best interests at heart.

However, Lenny’s death solidified their loyalty to Cyler and his men, making me wonder what other terrible things Lenny did while the people of Lythe were under the influence of the tunnel poison. They cooperated with enthusiasm, and by nightfall, not a single person whispered a word against us. They were excited to have direction but also fearful of going against us. It was a delicate balance, leadership. Fear and compassion spearheaded Cyler's reign, and soon everyone had a job and a purpose.

After everyone was settled with a purpose for the evening, our team met up in the main room where Mia was. All of us surrounded her as she finally ate a few bites of crackers. She had to eat slowly so as not to get sick. Jules had showered since the confrontation with Lenny and was now holding Mia’s hand. Jules kept staring at her affectionately, and the redness in Jules’ eyes made me wonder if she knew now the details of what had happened to our sweet friend. But none of us talked about it. Mia made it very clear that it was a subject not to be broached.

“I’m not comfortable leaving Mia,” Jules said with a frown. If Mia weren’t in so much pain, I’m sure she would’ve rolled her eyes or served us a quick quip about how she was more than capable of taking care of herself. But the fact that she didn’t showed just how tired and weak she was.

“I agree. I think you and Tallis need to stay here,” Cyler replied. He looked tired while standing to my left, arms crossed at his chest. His wide stance and fierce expression didn’t hide the exhaustion in his eyes.

I glanced over at Tallis, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor to my right, near Jules. I wish I understood him more. The quiet way he observed the room was entirely unlike the fierce leader I once knew. He seemed like the type to take charge and care for his people stoically and wisely. But he was a mere ghost of that man now. “What about the people here?“ Tallis asked.

Cyler let out a low, gravel-filled sigh before responding. “This is the first civilization I’ve seen since Cavil’s death. I’m trusting you to protect them—lead them—while we are gone.”

Tallis thrust his fingers through his long white hair before bending over to cup his face in his hands. Jules watched him with compassion, and her hand reached out and gently grabbed his knee with a reassuring squeeze before he finally spoke. “I don’t think I can do this,” Tallis said. His voice was muffled as he spoke into the palm of his hands.

Suddenly, it was as if we all felt like we were intruding on a private moment. I knew that Tallis felt some sort of guilt over the loss of his people, but I didn’t realize how deep this disappointment went. It made me wonder if Cyler was experiencing the same regret regarding his people. Did he feel like he had failed them?

As if to answer my unspoken question, Cyler moved forward and crouched beside