Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless

scream.
    Phoenix reloaded and aimed.
    The automatic bow made a muffled thump-like sound before the arrow sped towards me. This one pierced my upper arm. A tear slipped down my cheek but I didn’t cry.
    Staunchly, Phoenix reloaded, just as we’d planned. The faster he could shoot, the more children we would save.
    The third arrow punctured my shoulder and burned all the way down my back.
    That’s three. Three children free.
    After the first five shots, the exiles began to cheer, encouraged by the sight of my blood dripping to the ground.
    I kept my focus and opened the channel to my healing abilities. It was awkward, since the arrows were still lodged in me, but it was more about patching things up and slowing the bleeding than making good.
    Beyond myself, I could feel Lincoln’s power pushing at me, offering its help. I looked at him and shook my head.
    Not yet.
    As Phoenix reloaded, I saw a new person enter the room. I recognised the stale senses that came from him alone.
    Onyx had arrived.
    Which meant they had managed to contact him through Dapper and extend Lilith’s invitation.
    Onyx strode down the black carpet and did not look at me once, his eyes for Lilith only. When he reached the end of the runway, he gracefully dropped to one knee.
    ‘Onyx,’ Lilith sang, gesturing for him to stand. ‘It has been a time since our paths last crossed. When the child told me she’d managed to pet one of us, I never considered it could be you. Is she truly so powerful, or were you never so great?’
    Onyx didn’tmiss a beat. ‘I was almost certainly greater than you ever realised.’
    Lilith smiled. ‘You must think highly of her then.’
    ‘No.’ He glanced at me briefly. ‘She was obscenely lucky.’ He feigned boredom. ‘What service is required of me here? I care not for watching torture if I am not the one reaping the benefits.’
    Lilith seemed to appreciate this. ‘She has nominated you to lead her flock.’ She laughed. ‘For each arrow she endures a child I have imprisoned will be spared. She has elected you to deliver them to safety.’
    Onyx nodded, still not looking in my direction. ‘So be it.’
    ‘But …’ Lilith said, her voice shrill, ‘I have an alternative proposal for you.’
    Oh God, what is she going to do?
    I felt Lincoln’s tension rise and saw Phoenix’s fist clench.
    ‘And what would that be?’ Onyx asked, showing the first sign of curiosity.
    ‘I can give you back your power – in all its glory. I can make you a true exile again.’
    I heard Onyx gasp. ‘And what price would such a gift carry?’
    Lilith took a few small steps towards Onyx and laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘No order will be given, for you are not one of mine to command.’ Lilith winked at me. ‘However, if once the children are handed over to you, you should … make a choice as to where your loyalties lie, I may feel that you have adequately proven yourself worthy of power once more.’
    ‘Andhow do you suddenly have the ability to restore my power?’ Onyx asked.
    ‘I am the first dark exile. Do you question my strength?’ Lilith asked, smiling unkindly.
    ‘No,’ Onyx responded. He seemed to ponder his decision. ‘You want me to destroy the children?’
    Lilith clasped her hands together. ‘If that should be your desire, Onyx. I understand it was you who first began the quest for the lost Scripture? Is this not what you have dreamed of?’
    Oh, it was. When I’d first met him he was indescribably evil and had tried to kill me without a second thought. He craved power like no other. With this ultimate temptation laid at his feet, I dreaded what he would choose.
    ‘And if I should not wish to fulfil my previous desire?’ Onyx asked.
    I held my breath, a small tendril of hope dangling.
    Lilith’s voice hardened. ‘If you are tainted so badly that that is the case, then you have become one of the rodents you so despised. But I have made my oath and will make no move against it.’
    Onyx gestured towards me. ‘May I approach your sacrifice?’
    ‘Why?’
    He stood and took a step towards the golden table, picking up an arrow, palming it. He turned back to Lilith and shrugged. ‘I wish to add one of these arrows to her myself.’
    My stomach sank.
    Lilith beamed. ‘By all means.’
    Onyx walked towards me. He didn’t bother with the automatic bow. He was going to do this by hand.
    Whenhe got close, he spoke. ‘Lucky number thirteen.’
    I had no idea what he meant. He took the arrow in