Chapter 14
KHLOE GILES
Morning came to early the next day. The sunlight poured through my window and stirred blinding black dots beneath my closed lids, refusing me the gift of a few extra moments of sleep. The blinding light only added to the pounding ache in my head. I stumbled to the bathroom, taking as long as I possibly could to enjoy the shower, the warm liquid was relaxing and eased the headache a bit.
Half an hour later, dressed in a fresh Inquisition Uniform, I make my way to the kitchen, lured by the smell of my mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls and cooking bacon. A meal she only made for special holidays. Excitement flooded through me until I remembered the holiday we’re celebrating. My stomach lurched and the smell of the cinnamon rolls turned sour.
“Roll?” My mom asked as soon as I walk in, I shook my head, refusing the urge to cover my mouth as a wave of nausea washed over me. I made my way to the seat beside my father, who eyed me with a look of worry.
“Refusing your mothers rolls? Are you okay Khloe?” He asked, voice gentle and worried.
“Fine. I’m not hungry.”
Sara was also staring, I ignored them, picking up a piece of bacon to nibble on. Abbey was staring at her plate, refusing to look me in the eye.
“Are you sure?” Mom looked at me with concern. A horn honking outside stalled my answer.
“Scotty. He’s picking me up for the Burning.” I stood up, grabbing a few pieces of fresh bacon and a piece of toast.
“Why?” The question came from Abbey, who looked up from her plate.
“Because why do you care?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.
“He’s an older man. It doesn’t look appropriate.”
“You aren’t appropriate.” I rolled my eyes.
“Girls- My father interrupted my sisters come back. “Khloe, don’t make Scotty wait. Go on.”
“I’ll meet you guys at the funeral.” I waved at them and headed out to meet Scotty.
Scotty was waiting for me, leaned against Mertha, a blue Chevy truck. He was wearing the same Inquisition Uniform, his black tee stretched across his tight chest. His hair was freshly washed, and he grinned at me.
I could feel Abbey’s eyes on me from the kitchen window and annoyance burned in my stomach. There was no hello, no good morning. I reached up, cupping the back of his neck, tangling my hand in his short curls and pulled him down. Our lips met, his were warm and firm and tasted like strong coffee mixed with something sweet. He tensed up, body shocked by the sudden contact before responding. When he dud, his arms found their way around my waist, holding me loosely in their strong grasp, his body was solid and taut. He was a brick wall of confidence and support. A protector.
The kiss broke and we were both heaving for air, his eyes wide and dazed. “Well, good morning to you to.”
I laughed, pulling out of his grasp and made my way to the passenger side of the beat-up truck. I helped myself into the leather seat of the ride. I could still taste the sweetness of his lips. I liked it way more then I knew I should’ve. Maybe it wasn’t just to get back at Abbey.
The drive to the arena was a comfortable silence, so much so I started to doze off, thinking about coffee, kisses, and sweet cinnamon rolls When we pulled up to the arena a block away from HQ, the line was already out of the parking lot. It took an hour to park and another to find our seats two rows to the back, surrounded by fellow off-duty officers, ready to jump to action in case of emergency.
Provincial Police sat in the section beside us, already full. Civilians were starting to pile in and soon the place would be head-pounding loud and obnoxious.
“Are you going to tell me what that was about?” Scotty asked as we relaxed in our seats.
“Hm?” I looked up at him, pulled from my thoughts. My eyes drawn to his lips.
“You know what.” He lifted a brow.
“Oh.” I felt my cheeks warm, remembering the tender and firm way his lips slid over mine. “Nope.”
“So, you’re just going to leave me hanging? I never figured you for a tease.” He chided with a laugh.
I threw my head back, laughing. “Maybe there’s some things you don’t know about me.”
“I guess I’m going to have to figure you out.” He’s smirked.
“And how do you plan on accomplishing this?”
“A good man never tells his secrets.”
I watched him for a moment. “And are you a good man Scotty Wells?”
He paused, looking back at me. “Guess that’s something for you to figure out.”
“Oh, I will. You can count on it.” I winked as the house lights dim, announcing the five-minute warning before the show began. The conversation silenced and we wait for Maxx to appear. In the Burning Pit at the center, the Firing Squad made their way in, and I was shocked to see Wes standing among them. I leaned forward, watching them. For some reason I couldn’t explain, the sight of him there scared me.
He and two others stood to the side, speaking quietly. I couldn’t hear them through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls of the Pit intended for protecting the crowd from smoke inhalation.
“Relax,” Scotty whispered, placing a gentle hand on my knee.
“Sorry.” I mumbled, the knots in my stomach tightening. It was impossible to relax. I forced my body still under his touch, forced my gaze to the large, digital clock at the back of the arena. Less than a minute now. I watched as Maxx and my father stepped onto the stage that stretched out beneath the clock. The house lights dimmed a second time as the last few seconds ticked by. Nausea crept back into my stomach.
“Breathe,” Scotty ordered, squeezing my shoulder as the second hand of the clock hit zero. I was afraid I might be sick as the lights rose, blindingly bright and Maxx was on stage at the podium.
“Welcome one and all. We are pleased to welcome you today to a unique and special occasion on what looks to be a very beautiful Tuesday morning.” He paused as the crowd broke into applause, stilling the audience with a raised hand.
“Today marks a unique achievement for the Inquisition and the New Government. Today we mark our 200th Burning and celebrate over fifty thousand witches that have been captured and punished for their crimes against humanity-” Another round of applause, louder this time. I forced myself to clap along until Maxx quieted the audience again.
“I am honored and humbled that you would allow me to lead the charge against our enemies, against those who would see the human race depleted. It is with humility and great honor that I accept the challenge of protecting the Great Provincial and those that stand beside us.
“But as with every war there are casualties and as we celebrate this great feat, many of us within the community are mourning the loss of a dear friend and fallen hero, Officer Jonathon Baulder whom passed away this past Monday, shortly after a battle that sent one other to the hospital.
“While we mourn for our friend’s loss, I know that Jon will be remembered with love and compassion for his bravery. Hid friends, family and neighbors can mourn in peace, knowing well that justice has been served and the terrorist responsible for the death has been punished.
“May today be a reminder to everyone who stands against the Inquisition that you also stand against humanity. You stand against me and those like me who fight for justice and peace. We will not and cannot back down until the enemy is stomped out and destroyed. Only then will life return to normal. Only then may we begin to rebuild our future. We will not lay idly by while men like Johnathon Baulder are murdered, or while our community is torn by violence and the things we love are destroyed.
“And it is on this note that I bring our accused to the Burning Pit. Charged in guilt with treason against the human kind and sentenced to punishment to the fullest intent of the law, Lil Waters-” The cheers that rose from the crowd were blood thirsty and Maxx didn’t stop them this time. Owen and Chris dragged Lil’s limp body to the pyre and the cheers rose to earsplitting levels. Half conscious, Lil was stumbling as Owen and Chris pushed her along for dramatic affect before Owen tossed her over his shoulder, red curls covering her blood-soaked face. He carries her up a set of ladders to the two-story tall pyre, placed her in the seat at the top, and chained her to it.
“Something isn’t right.” The words came out before I could stop them.