Incitement

Incitement
Lilieth 
"Lilieth!"
I look over my shoulder and spot Timmon racing toward me. 
Since I left Cadeon's side, all I've been doing is helping the civilians escape safely to a part of the woods that isn't being attacked, and that includes Deo. She's pregnant and has no business being anywhere near the line of fire. 
I tell the woman to run as fast as she can, then turn my attention to Timmon. He's holding something—and as he gets closer, I realize what it is. 
A bow. 
"Here," he says, breathing heavily, handing it to me. "You've always been great with this. You can shoot these fuckers from afar."
"Where did you get this?"
"The Ignis."
"Have you seen Cadeon?"
"Not in a few minutes."
My gaze sweeps across the field and I don't see him. I have no idea where he's gone. I've gotten most of the people out, so now it's time to contribute to the fight. 
"Stay safe, Timmon."
"Of course. You too, Lili."
We separate and I start shouting arrows at any of the enemy Gamma-borns. I haven't used a bow in a minute, but it's incredible how I can never forget how to use one. 
I start shooting arrows from a distance, not missing a single shot. Meanwhile, I'm searching the crowd for a familiar face. My heart's galloping behind my rib cage, but I don't let my nervousness get the best of me. 
No, my hands need to remain steady. I can't afford to make mistakes or hit someone from our side. 
I close one eye and prepare to hit a Gamma-born from the opposing side when I spot someone watching me from a distance. He's standing amidst the bloodshed, breathing heavily, his arms on either side of him. In his hand is a knife dripping with blood, and of course, his eyes are as devoid of emotion as they've always been. 
Wenton. 
The sight of him makes my blood run cold. I never thought I'd see him again, especially here. That was a mistake. 
I lower the bow and glare at him, my anger rising. I should take the shot, but he's standing too close to our guys and he's already seen me. That'll make it easier for him to evade the arrow, and then someone else will get hurt. 
I can't risk that. 
He tilts his head to the side, then turns to the nearest fighting Omega from our group and stabs him in the back. I start to run, my grip on the bow unforgiving. As I get closer, I prepare the bow to take a shot at him. My hatred toward him floods me. He's a problem. A killer. He caused Cadence's death, and he's a cruel coward. 
I stop near the edge of the group and look for him. It doesn't take long for me to spot him, though. He's holding a female fighter in a chokehold, and the knife he was carrying is pressed against her neck. 
The look in his eyes is manic. This is a man capable of doing anything. 
"We meet again, little sister," he spits. His grin is so broad it's like his face has been split in two. "It's nice to see you. You look great. Alive."
I narrow my eyes at him while keeping the arrow braced in the bow. I can't let his taunts distract me—not a chance. 
That's what he wants. 
"I was lucky enough to meet our other sister. Anice, right?" My blood runs cold. "Yeah, that one's not doing so well. I see there's a side of the family that's incredibly stupid. I wonder where that came from. My adulterous father, or your stupid cunt, whore of a mother."
"Shut your mouth, Wenton," I grit out. 
"One," he states. "That's how old I was when he started an affair with that Omega bitch. I bet he glamorizes it, doesn't he? But he was married to my mother first. He betrayed her and there's no honor in that."
"I don't care, Wenton. Let go of her!"
"No," he says before cutting into the woman. She screams. "You drop that bow or I'll kill her. Your choice. As you well know, I don't mind ridding the world of another Omega. You're a plague that needs to be dealt with severely."
Fuck. What am I supposed to do now? I don't have a choice—I won't give him the satisfaction of killing someone in my name. 
I drop the bow, making sure to keep the arrow braced because I might need it. My eyes are on Wenton the entire time. As soon as the bow touches the ground, he releases the fighter, but he doesn't run toward me. No, I have a feeling he wants to take his time with me. 
Sick bastard. 
"See how you can actually follow an order?"
"What do you gain by doing this?" I shoot back. "Do you think hurting us is going to make your father love you more?"
Hurt flashes across his eyes but he hides it well. "No, cunt. That's not what I think. What I abhor is knowing my blood courses through your veins. What I hate is knowing that aberrations like you exist and want to be acknowledged. Fuck that. It's not happening, not on my watch."
"Golen is part Emberborn. That means you're one of us, too."
His face reddens considerably. "Don't you ever say that! I'm nothing like you and never will be! You think it's a matter of pride, don't you? That's why that idiotic sister of yours came running to us with information about you. She thought she'd be able to strike a deal with the Alphas. What a fucking dumbass."
I swallow the knot forming in my throat and watch him, especially his feet. As soon as he starts running, I have to be ready for him. I can't fight him without a weapon. 
"But we taught her a lesson," he continues, chuckling darkly. "Oh, you can bet on that. All she ever does now is cry for her mother. And for you. She says your name all the damn time. And I want you to know that it felt great, ruining her. She looks so much like you. It felt like hitting you in the face over and over again."
His words nauseate me. Tears blur my vision and I inhale sharply. I ball my fists, getting angrier because of how hard he's smiling. 
I'm going to kill him. I don't care what it takes—this ends tonight. 
My concentration only breaks when I spot Corey. He's staggering and looking around wildly. I'm not sure what he's looking for, but when he spots me, his eyes widen and he starts toward me. 
Wenton follows my eyes and sees Corey. By the goddess, everything happens so damn quickly. I can barely wrap my head around it all. 
"Corey, no!"
He turns his head and spots Wenton, who's raising his hand, prepared to throw the knife right at me. The scene unfolds before my eyes in slow motion. Corey shifts and races toward me, and by the time I realize what he's doing, it's too late to do anything. 
Corey leaps in wolf form, shielding me from the knife. It sinks into his back, and the howl that leaves his mouth fills me with rage. I sink to my knees just as Wenton sprints toward me, and grab the bow. 
Corey's lying by my feet, the knife sticking out of him. With the bow in my hand and the arrow still braced, I close one eye, draw the arrow back, and then my fingers loosen and the arrow snaps free, slicing through the air. 
I watch as it slices across the right side of his face at an angle, and all I see is blood and flesh before he shifts and starts running in the opposite direction as quickly as lightning. 
I contemplate going after him, but Corey needs my help. He isn't moving. My fingers disappear in his fur. "Corey. Corey, for the love of the goddess. Brother, wake up."
His eyes remain closed and a sob forms in my throat. No, this can't be happening. "Corey!"
He can't be dead. 
I look at the knife once more, wondering if I should remove it. I know that's too dangerous, though. I'm not a healer—I wouldn't be able to stop the bleeding. I rest my face against his and take a few deep breaths. I hope. I pray. I say his name over and over again. 
He can't be dead. I refuse to believe that. 
Please. Not him. Not Corey. 
I don't know what I'd do without him. 
Suddenly, he exhales, and I cry in relief. I keep holding him and looking around. Nobody comes to attack us—in fact, the attackers are all retreating. 
"I need help!" I exclaim. "Someone, help me. Please!"
Corey has to be moved. He can't stay here—he needs urgent medical attention. By the goddess, I can't lose anyone else. I can't. 
Where's everyone else?
Where's Cadeon?