Chapter 14 The First Lie
Sienna stood in the middle of the room with her hands behind her back and her back straight, but every muscle in her body screamed for release. The Council members sat in their high-backed chairs around her, their faces hidden in the dark of the chamber. They looked at her with cold, calculating eyes that had seen a lot of lies, secrets, and betrayals. They had complete control and knew how to use it with scary accuracy. They used her as a pawn in their game and then threw her away when they were done with her. "Will you swear your loyalty to the Council?"
The voice of Lord Varen, the oldest of them, broke the silence like a knife. His eyes were sharp and calculating, and they looked right through her, as if they were looking for any sign of weakness or rebellion. Sienna's breath got stuck in her throat. Her heart raced, but she didn't let herself give up. She knew what they wanted and what they expected from her. She had thought about this moment a thousand times, and each time it had gone differently. But there was no way to go back now. She had made a decision. It wasn't the choice she wanted, but it was the only one that would let her be near to Ryder. She steadily said, "I swear my loyalty to the Council," despite a wave of sickness rising in her stomach. Each word she spoke tasted like ash in her mouth, and she had to sell each one with complete confidence.
There was a murmur in the room. Lord Varen's lips twisted into a tiny smile that didn't reach his eyes. He realized she was not telling the truth. Everyone did. But she had power in her position and what she could give them, and for now, that was enough. "You know what happens when you betray someone, right?"
Varen's voice was a deep growl, like it was reminding her of the ties that held her to them. Sienna nodded, and her face got rigid. "I get it." There was a heavy hush after that, and the tension was so thick you could choke on it. She could feel their eyes on her, and she knew that each one was silently judging her and weighing her worth. Would they trust me? The question stuck in her thoughts like poison, but she pushed it away. She couldn't afford to doubt right now. Varen kept looking at Sienna's face and said, "I expect big things from you." "You have a special... link to our cause. We will need you.
"I will serve the Council," she said, her voice steady. She nearly believed what she said. Almost. "Okay." Varen smiled more and sat back in his chair, putting his fingers together in front of him. "You are free to go." The order was as chilly as the room. Sienna turned quickly and walked to the door. The silence made each step sound loud. She held her head high and her back straight, even though the lie was heavy in her chest. It was hard to breathe because of how heavy it was, yet it was nothing compared to how heavy the choice she had just made was. She needed to get closer to the Council.
She had to go closer to them because the key to liberating Ryder from the chains that held him was somewhere in their midst. Sienna leaned against the cool stone wall as the door closed behind her, blocking out the shadows of the Council room. She was breathing in short gasps, and the air in the hallway felt thin, as if it were filled with the poison of her own lies. But she had done it. She had promised to be faithful to them, even though she knew it was just the start of a much bigger game. She needed to find out what their weak points were. All of them. Sienna closed her eyes and took a trembling breath. She told herself that she would play their game. But I won't let it take over my life. Not this time. She kept thinking about Ryder as she stood up straight and proceeded down the hall. He was still locked up and remained under the Council's brutal control.
She needed to save him. That was all that mattered now. She turned the corner and stopped. At the end of the hallway, a familiar face stood. She would know him anywhere, even with his back to her. It was Talen. The person who had let them both down. He turned as he heard her footsteps and smiled a faint, knowing smile. "I see you've made your choice," he remarked in a quiet voice that was almost too soft. Sienna's heart skipped a beat as she felt both angry and betrayed. She asked, "What are you doing here, Talen?"
in a voice full of emotion. He lifted an eyebrow, evidently enjoying how she reacted. "I thought we could talk, Sienna." About being loyal. About the things you're willing to give up for the welfare of all. Her fists were locked at her sides, and she felt like she was going to hit someone. "I'm not here to talk to you," she stated in a chilly voice. Talen didn't move; he stared at her like a hawk might at its prey. "Funny," he responded with a laugh, "because I think you are." I know what you really want.
I believe I can assist you. Sienna's heart raced in her chest, and her mind was racing with ideas. Can you help me? How? But she wasn't so dumb as to trust him. Not after all that. "I don't need your help," she responded, her voice stern. "Not from someone who let me down." Talen's smile faded for a minute, and his eyes got darker. "You don't understand me, Sienna. I didn't let you down. I let him down. Ryder. The name hung in the air between them like a threat. Sienna felt a chilly wave of anger flood over her, but she stayed calm.
"Stay away from me, Talen," she said in a low, deadly voice. But Talen wasn't finished. "You realize you're playing a deadly game. You can't handle the Council. They'll keep using you until you have nothing left. And when it happens, I'll be the only one who can help you. His voice was so chilly that it made her shiver. He was correct. She was already in too deep. She said, "You're mistaken," more to herself than to him. "I'll get through it." I will save him. Talen's eyes softened, and the fun was gone from them.
"Then you should hurry," he remarked, his voice almost kind. "Because time is running out to save him." The corridor felt like it was closing in on her, and the weight of his words sank into her bones. Without saying anything more, Sienna turned and left, but the uneasiness in her stomach persisted. One thing Talen was correct about. There was not much time left. She didn't know how long she could maintain pretending to be devoted to the Council. But one thing was clear: she was coming closer. She could feel it.
And as soon as she got the facts she needed, she would bring it all down. As Sienna got to the end of the hallway, her steps slowed down. Along the stone walls, the faint light from the torches swirled and wavered. Her heart pounded in her chest as she hesitated. Talen's words were still ringing in her head. "Time is running out." She tightened her jaw. Not quite yet. Soon, but not yet.