Chapter 53 Prime suspect
Ruel's POV
Ten hours after that attack and the base is still awake in that tense, half-alert way it gets immediately after a scare.
There's barely any sound. It's as though everyone is on edge.
I'd been careless. I allowed other things to take my attention so badly that I forgot to do the regular check round the base.
Warriors line the outer stretch, all alert with barely any clothing for easy shifting but I know it all won't be necessary.
Still I have no way to prove that the attack didn't come from outside, so I stay silent, waiting for the arrival of the only man who has failed to follow my orders today.
“Scarface is here,” Elric , who's standing behind me mutters angrily.
“Commander Ruel,” Scarface salutes but it completely lacks enthusiasm as though if given the chance, he'd spit right in my face.
Krist stirs af the back of my skull, reacting quicker than ever to the disrespect.
“Where were you all day, Sergeant Scarface?” I ask, noticing some guards leaning closer than previously, definitely trying to listen in on what we're saying.
“I was on patrol,” he says, subtly puffing out his chest. Then he raises his voice as though he wants those nearby to hear. “I took initiative. Commander Ruel, someone had to.”
My jaw tightens at that tone and I step closer, my brows drawing close. “Initiative does not mean acting without clearance. You of all people should know this.”
His eyes flash behind me and he frowns. “Alpha King Andre said we are to lead together. I don’t need permission every time I breathe.” he spits.
A ripple moves through the watching men afar off. Krist presses forward at the insult, his paws scratching at my mind to be let out so he can teach the idiot in front of us respect.
“We were assigned one joint operation. One. That does not elevate you to my rank, Scarface.” I say sternly.
Scarface scoffs, “Funny. You’ve been correcting me a lot since that meeting.” he looks around but frowns when he gets glares from those watching.
“Because you keep overstepping.” I raise my voice.
“Or because you don’t like sharing authority,” he shoots back. “If you’d been quicker this morning, if patrols were already active, no arrow would have flown. You have competent men but without the right order we will always be viewed as incompetent by the Alpha King.”
My hands tighten in fists beside me but I push Krist back, needing him to stay inside, especially when I'm mad. Cause I won't stop him from hurting the man in front of me who looks like he's reciting words that he's kept locked in for months.
“Haven't you realized that's why the Alpha King keeps ignoring our requests?” Scarface keeps going, mistaking my silence for hesitation. “Someone aimed for your life, Commander. That’s on you because you didn't secure the parameters properly. If you had, an intruder wouldn't have gotten that opportunity.”
“There was no intruder,” I state confidently, calculating five simple ways of knocking him out in an instant.
Scarface frowns. “You don’t know that.”
I take another step closer and this time Krist settles within me. No, he's not fighting me, he's aligning with me. Because he can sense just how angry I am.
My posture changes, my shoulders square up, my spine straightens. Every instinct in me screams territory as Krist adds an unexpected weight to my presence.
Scarface feeling the shift steps back but my steps follow, slowing… ensuring his shaky gaze doesn't shift from me.
“I know because nothing crossed the perimeter,” I say. “No unfamiliar scent came too close. No panic response from the warriors posted outside the eastern line.”
Scarface swallows.
I keep going, my claws slowly shooting out of my clenched fists. “That arrow came from inside the base. Sergeant Scarface, you are the only one who claims to have been busy outside duty. Yet no one saw you on patrol.”
The surrounding murmuring increases.
Scarface tenses, his eyes darting around. “That’s a serious accusation.”
“So is attempting murder,” Elric cuts in furiously.
Although calling what happened attempted murder is a bit far-stretched, I don't correct him.
Krist presses harder now, not taking control, but standing right behind my eyes. And suddenly I feel taller, heavier even. It's almost like he's one with me…. It's impossible to say where I begin and where he ends.
I've never felt Krist more present in my own skin.
“You are accusing me of trying to harm my commander?!” Scarface roars at Elric who stays behind me only because I signal him to.
“That wasn't just an attack on my life. Just firing a poisoned arrow can't cause too much damage except shot with perfect aim. What happened today was played out like a testing. Testing response time, testing defense, testing results….” I breathe. “Which means whoever did this already knows the base well enough to move unseen.”
I let my gaze drag slowly over Scarface, watching his frown deepen.
“Search every quarter,” I order loudly. “Rooms, beds, storage bags, weapon racks. There's no exception.”
Elric moves to leave but I stop him. No, you stay with me.
I don't trust myself to be alone with Scarface. And the only person strong enough to hold me back is Elric.
Both physically and logically.
Scarface exhales through his nose, looking around as everyone moves to obey my command. “If I offended you, Commander, that wasn’t my intention.” he says slowly, suddenly changing character like a chameleon.
“Now you want to apologize?” Elric hisses.
Scarface’s eyes flick to him then briefly as though anxious, he looks back.
“If you’re going to show remorse,” Elric continues, “do it the same way you showed disrespect. Loudly. Publicly.”
Scarface shifts on his feet. “The commander knows I've always been loyal and will never betray him. I apologize for questioning your response time.”
I don't respond, ignoring him completely until a guard comes running, breathless. Others arrive soon after behind him.
“Commander Ruel,” he starts. “We found an arrow case,” the guard says. “Under Sergeant Scarface’s bed.”
I turn to Scarface. His hands are squeezed so tight, they look like they belong to a ghost.
“That’s ridiculous.” He says, looking at me in annoyance. “I'm being set up.”
“Lock him up,” I say immediately.
“What?” Scarface snaps. “You can't just lock me up. I didn't do it. I'm not that dumb to…”
“Now!” I roar and two warriors step forward, seizing Scarface by his arms.
“I didn't do it! I didn't try to kill you!”
I stand stiffly as Scarface is taken out of my sight.
“Do you think he did it?” Elric questions, his voice quiet as we head to my study.
“What I think is irrelevant. And even if he is innocent, his carelessness has consequences.” I say, moving faster, unconsciously stepping into a particular hallway.
“Ruel?” Elric says and I nod but I don't stop, my legs determined to reach a certain destination.
“I thought we were going to your study?” He asks a bit louder.
I blink, my eyes widening subtly once I notice where I am.