The Beast Within (The Elite Series) - By Jonathan Yanez Page 0,60

going to kill Lu and Laren, they didn’t have guns, either. They were just going to beat them to death.”

“Firearms are useless against our kind. Sure, they hurt and it’s a nuisance trying to dig bullets from your body; but they aren’t lethal. The only way for one of us to die is at the hands of a member of our own kind. The strength we possess is required to deliver blows brutal enough to null our healing factor. In the beginning, clubs, axes and spears were the preferred weapons. Now warriors are known to train with anything from knives to their bare hands.”

“Or pickaxes,” Connor mused. He could still see the look on the Elite’s face he had killed that night in the forest. The glossy film that covered his eyes as the pickaxe was drove into the crown of his skull was a terrifying memory.

“Or pickaxes,” Morrigan agreed. “Well, it’s about that time.” Turning her brown eyes on Connor, she looked at him, her face serious. “No matter what the Council has decided, I know you’re the Judge we need. I have faith that you will see this truth soon.”

“Thank you, Morrigan. Thank you for everything. Not just for teaching me and representing me to the Council. For watching over me all these years.”

She looked at him much like his own mother did when he told her that he loved her and smiled. “Well, someone had to.”

CHAPTER 14

CONNOR AND MORRIGAN MADE THEIR way though the castle halls toward the Council Chamber. Unlike yesterday, Connor now walked side-by-side with Morrigan, confident in where he was going, rather than following behind her like a lost puppy.

“You grasp your bearings quickly. Especially since you’ve been confined to your room for so much of your stay.”

Connor looked at her to see if this was a simple comment or if she knew of his escapades the day before.

Diverting her gaze forward, she refused to give him the chance to read her face. She preferred to leave him guessing.

The looks and gestures Connor received on his way to the Council room today were nothing like the day before. Yesterday, people were content to just stare at him, keeping their thoughts to themselves. Now it seemed as though everyone was picking a side on whether or not he was a Judge.

More than one disgusted look or mutter of “imposter,” was directed his way. Likewise, there were those who embraced him as their savior and knelt as he passed or lowered their heads out of respect.

Connor felt like a celebrity and a convicted murderer at the same time. He didn’t have to worry about this dilemma long, because soon they stood in front of the large wooden doors to the Council Chamber.

The guard on the left side of the door was the same guard who’d been stationed outside of Katie’s room. A look of recollection and then surprise crossed his dark face as Morrigan and Connor passed into the Council Chamber.

Without slowing his pace, Connor gave the guard a shrug of his shoulder and opened his hands in a sign of surrender and continued into the room. The wooden room was again full of Elites. If it was possible, it seemed as though there were more people present today than the day before. Word must have spread that the Catskill incident revealed a new Judge, an event that hadn’t taken place in decades.

Benches were so full they were practically bending under the weight of so many eager attendees. There were even those willing to stand during the entire Council session. Elites lined the walls, excited to catch a glimpse of this so-called Judge for themselves.

Everyone dressed in his or her best; dark suits, blue dresses, white blouses, there wasn’t a pair of jeans in the entire room. Every head turned when Connor and Morrigan entered and every eye studied and measured Connor. Whispers and glances were shared amongst the audience. Connor heard a few comments as he walked down the aisle to their table.

“He’s supposed to be the Judge?”

“How old is he?”

“I thought he would be taller.”

“He can be my Judge any day.”

The last comment made Connor turn and look. There was a plump, flirtatious looking woman with short black hair and a dress two sizes too small for her looking back at him. Noticing his attention, she winked an amber eye.

Connor immediately averted his eyes and turned his head forward. Connor took a seat next to Laren and Lu, who were already waiting at the