Change of Edict (The Change Series Book 2)

by Jacinta Jade

  Before them lay a strange and dark city. It appeared as large as any of the other Kaslonian cities, but its design and the structures within its boundaries were much older, including a castle that rose up high above all the other buildings.

  As the column of captives descended the hill and the light around them steadily increased, a thought, so fantastic and terribly hopeful, entered Siray’s mind. Could this be their destination?

  Her breathing quickened and her hands grew moist, making her grip the ends of the shirt she held even more tightly. She didn’t dare turn to look around at the males behind her, as she felt that if she lost sight of the city for just a moment, it might vanish.

  Then she had a horrible thought—was the city even real? What if it was just one of her visions?

  She stared, almost unblinking, at the city as they drew nearer and nearer, and when the walls were finally rising up before her, Siray could no longer doubt it.

  The city was real.

  As they drew up to the massive gates on the outskirts, Siray identified dark silhouettes walking along the top of the walls high above, and she held her breath as the gates opened before them to let the column pass and their Faction escorts pass.

  More Faction soldiers watched from windows and doorways as the column limped through the outer areas of the city, and shadowed figures stood on rooftops, bows in hand.

  As the captives were marched farther into the city, Siray glimpsed the faces of both adults and youths, but the eyes of those who appeared younger than her were just as hard as those of the soldiers who guarded the captives.

  Now the column was approaching the outer wall of the castle, and although this wall was shorter than the wall around the city, soldiers patrolled in groups of four along its length.

  A heavy portcullis was raised before them, and they were ordered through the opening, emerging into a large open area. To her right, Siray observed a long stone building with doors built in at regular intervals. The structure had three floors, and she could see stone stairs at either end.

  Soldiers armed with bows were also standing on this building’s roof, although the rest of the area was mostly open, the ground made of inlaid stone covered sparsely in sand.

  To her left, Siray could see straw figures positioned alongside the far wall, a low stone building situated next to them, and she wondered at their presence.

  And directly before her, the stone castle loomed, its dark windows glaring down at the captives.

  ‘Halt!’ came the order.

  They did so, Siray and the males putting Jorgi down. Unbelievably, the soldiers around them dispersed, the one in charge moving around to Siray’s left.

  ‘Face left!’

  They all shifted painfully to comply.

  Then came the dull sound of boots on the sandy stonework.

  As the footsteps brought the figure into her line of sight, Siray saw that it was Captain Raque.

  Looking rested and energetic, he kept moving until he was aligned with the centre of the now much shorter column, then stopped and silently examined them all.

  ‘Well,’ he said slowly, ‘it seems that you have all been strong enough to make it this far.’ His eyes roved quickly from one end of the column to the other, his gaze also sweeping over Siray and her friends. ‘You will be allowed one day to recuperate what strength you can. You will be fed. Watered. Then tomorrow, the next phase of the program begins.’

  Siray found her breathing had quickened at the mention of food, and she barely heard the rest of the captain’s words as he continued.

  ‘I will give you this warning only once. Any captive found trying to escape will be killed.’ His tone was businesslike, his face still, only his eyes moving as he scanned all their faces. ‘Anyone who disobeys or refuses an order will be killed. We only want the strong and loyal amongst you. Because only they will have a place in the world we will build.’ He gestured to the space around them. ‘This area will be your home from this point on. You will not go within three paces of the gate, and you will not go within three paces of the castle. Now, disperse.’

  The captain flicked his hands outwards, and when the captives all remained standing where they were a moment too long, their guards began to move amongst them, pushing at them to start them moving.

  Siray turned to glance at the others, wondering where they should go sit. Or fall.

  ‘You five—stay where you are!’

  She froze, the relief that had been flooding her veins becoming ice, and carefully pivoted to watch as Captain Raque strode briskly up to them. Some of the guards had closed in around them, and Siray felt sweat drip down her back. Had they come all this way, only to be killed as an example to the others?

  ‘I didn’t think you lot would survive,’ growled the captain. ‘But as you did, I hope that, in the future, you heed the warning I just gave.’

  Siray nodded, hoping a demonstration of acknowledgment would allow them to move away and safely blend in with the other captives.

  Captain Raque studied them for a moment longer, then gave another casual flick of his hand. ‘Go.’

  Siray’s legs wobbled as she spun and began to walk rapidly away, thanking the Mother that the captain had no further issue with them. Then she stopped. Jorgi. She spun around automatically and saw Tamot already leaning down to pick up Jorgi’s shoulders.

  Baindan joined them, and together the three of them lifted Jorgi up, their friend’s chest rising and falling weakly.

  They had to get him some food. And water. Then, with rest, he would—

  ‘Leave him.’

  Siray froze. Then she peeked back over her shoulder at the captain, disbelieving what she’d heard.

  Two soldiers stood at his sides, their swords drawn.

  Siray’s mouth worked soundlessly, and she quickly looked beyond Baindan and Tamot to where Wexner, Zale, Kovi, Genlie, Kinna, and Loce stood. Surely, together, they could convince the captain. Stop him …

  Baindan also peered up from Jorgi to exchange a quick glance with Wexner.

  Siray remembered foggily that they were good friends. Knew how to fight together. If there was any way …

  Wexner’s glance darted around the courtyard, up to the top of the walls, then returned to Baindan. His lips pressed together in a thin line, and he shook his head slowly.

  Siray glanced desperately at the captain.

  Raque had been looking at Tamot, but now his gaze slid to her. His eyes were dark, cold, and without mercy. ‘Step away and go get food,’ the captain ordered slowly.

  Somewhere behind her, Siray could hear the rasp of heavy objects being dragged over the pavers and the pounding of many feet moving rapidly. Her hunger was a living thing within her, urging her to leave Jorgi and be amongst the first to get to the food barrels. Yet her breathing was coming in shallow gasps, and her hands were throbbing as she gripped the ends of the shirt holding Jorgi’s legs even more tightly.

  That shirt was Jorgi’s lifeline. It she let go …

  The captain raised his eyebrows in challenge. Daring her to disobey. ‘Only the strong survive.’

  Somewhere nearby, Genlie began quietly praying to the Mother.

  No, Siray thought. They couldn’t kill Jorgi. They had made it. Carried him the entire way here. He could get better.

  Beside the captain, the two soldiers had drawn their swords. Were ready to kill her and the others, if they did not obey.

  Biting her wobbling lip, Siray slowly lowered Jorgi’s legs to the ground. Then she managed a small, painful step back. And another. With each one, something in her heart cracked. She had promised herself she wouldn’t let any more of her friends die. Rowp. Deson. The names echoed in her mind as the two warring parts of herself—the part that wanted to survive and the part that wanted to save her friend—fought each other for dominance. Siray’s guilt rose to overwhelm her as she took yet another uncertain step backwards, her face crumpling and hands shaking.

  Baindan had backed away as well, and he pu
lled Siray to him, his voice quiet as his arms gently encircled her waist and guided her still farther away. ‘I’ve got you.’

  Meanwhile, Zale was attempting to drag away a protesting Tamot, and had to call for Wexner to help.

  Raque just kept looking at them all, enjoying their pain, that cruel smile returning to his face. Once Wexner and Zale had managed to get Tamot away, he motioned to the soldiers beside him.

  ‘No!’ came a hoarse scream from Tamot. ‘Noooo!’

  Siray’s throat was too dry to scream as she also attempted to lunge towards Jorgi’s limp form.

  Yet Baindan’s arms held her firm, and his voice rasped in her ear, ‘Don’t, Siray! They’ll only kill you!’

  After another brief struggle, he managed to spin her around and wrap his arms around her, holding her to him tightly.

  ‘Don’t look,’ he whispered into her ear in a firm tone. Then he repeated the words, almost begging her. ‘Don’t look.’

  Siray felt hot tears slide down her face as she heard Kinna also start sobbing, and a few moments later, felt Baindan tense just as a terrible sound came from behind her, gasps from her friends and others watching on also reaching her ears.

  A breath later, Baindan released her, his face pale and horrified at what he had just witnessed.

  Shakily, and still holding on to Baindan for support, Siray slowly turned around. Saw Genlie holding tightly to Kovi’s arm. Numbly noted Loce, grim faced and awkwardly patting Kinna’s back.

  And the two soldiers, now walking away, laughing, one of them using the material of his pants to wipe blood from his blade.

  Raque was observing them all carefully.

  Siray’s gaze zeroed in on Jorgi.

  His chest no longer moved, and blood was beginning to pool beside him, flowing out from a deep wound in his chest.

  Jorgi was dead.

  She sank to the ground, no longer able to stand or hold on to Baindan, a high-pitched whine rising in her ears. But another sound broke through—a soft, almost animal cry of grief.

  Then a struggling figure finally managed to break free of Zale and Wexner and moved in a stumbling run across the short distance to fall to his knees beside Jorgi’s body.

  ‘Nooooo,’ he moaned, sobbing. ‘Jorgi!’ An agonised cry tore from Tamot as he wrapped his arms around his dead friend and pulled Jorgi’s head into his lap, stroking the dead male’s hair as tears coursed down his face.

  Siray almost couldn’t bear the sight, and she tasted blood on her lip again as she bit down to stop herself from falling apart.

  ‘Oh, Mother,’ said Zale, fresh horror sounding in his voice. ‘They were a pair.’

  Renewed shock shot through Siray just when she thought she could take no more. Tamot and Jorgi? Together? Unconsciously, her mind brought up images of them over the last few turns. Always together or within visual distance of each other. Their easy and loyal friendship. Tamot’s concern and protectiveness for Jorgi the last few days …

  Other memories swiftly followed. How Tamot had developed a sudden crush on her back when she and the others had been learning to fight at the training camp.

  How Tamot had made overt gestures of friendliness … only in front of the others.

  How he had looked at her in the underground pool … only after the other males had already noticed her.

  It had been a ruse. All of it. To stop them all from really noticing who it was that had drawn, and held, his affection since almost day one.

  Jorgi.

  It wasn’t unheard of, of course, for two Kaslonians of the same gender to develop a mating bond, but it was rare, and the pairs were usually the subject of much interest in society.

  But now, Tamot had lost his mate.

  As she had lost Deson.

  Both slaughtered by the Faction.

  She ran to Tamot.

  At first, Tamot screamed at her and tried to throw her off when she tried to pull him towards her, but Siray held on and hugged him more tightly still, knowing that if she let go, he might do something terrible.

  For a long moment, he continued pushing at her arms, but then a huge, heartbreaking sob escaped him, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her as well, each the other’s lifeline.

  As they knelt there, holding each other as their friends looked on with despair, Siray couldn’t get her mind to stop thinking the same thing over and over.

  They had killed him. Killed Jorgi. Wonderful, funny, heroic Jorgi.

  Jorgi, who had risked his own life to save them in the tunnels leading from Gonron.

  Jorgi, who had unknowingly sacrificed his own life to save them that day.

  Siray’s shaking increased as her thoughts switched to the special person she had lost, the thoughts and feelings she had managed to block out for the last few days rushing back to consume her.

  Deson. He, too, was gone.

  Deson, who had loved her and wanted to protect her.

  Deson, whose death had left her mind and soul partly empty.

  Jorgi and Deson.

  Two close friends.

  Two parts of her life.

  Gone. Forever.

  Just like Rowp.

  She had a choice to make now, part of her thought dully as she knelt there, hugging Tamot.

  She could give up right now, and die.

  She could let the Faction turn her.

  Or she could fight.

  She considered her options even as the emptiness inside her offered to drown her if she let it.

  ‘What do we do, Siray?’ sobbed Tamot into her shoulder. ‘They’re gone.’

  She could hear an emptiness in his words that echoed her own. And she knew that, if she asked him to right now, Tamot would stand beside her and help her take out as many Faction soldiers as they could before they were struck down.

  She glanced up at the high walls around her and the soldiers who occupied them. Then scrutinised the courtyard. We could do it, she thought, a wave of adrenaline kicking in with the thought. We could take out at least three each. Make them pay double for each of our lost friends. She looked inside herself and found she could now locate that centre of her abilities. Could become a sevonix, and rip through multiple guards before she was dropped by arrows.

  But then her glance slid to her other friends. To the faces of Baindan. Zale. Genlie. Kovi. Loce. Wexner. Kinna.

  If she and Tamot fought now, then they, too, would fight.

  And die.

  That, she couldn’t let them do.

  But she would never turn.

  Which left her with just one option.

  Apart from ending her pain, dying would serve no purpose.

  But living … living could mean revenge.

  And what better revenge could there be, than to tear apart the Faction … from the inside?

  Her smile was a terrible, cold thing.

  ‘We survive,’ she whispered to Tamot.

  She would keep going. She would survive. And then, she would fight.

  EPILOGUE

  SILVER BOWED his head before his leader, a satisfied smile on his lips. ‘We have her, my lord. She is now down with the others in the training yard. Captain Raque is keeping a particularly close eye on her and her group.’ He looked up, expecting his lord to be pleased.

  Instead, a pair of steely eyes burned into his. ‘And what happened to the other one?’

  Silver’s blood went cold at the tone. ‘Apparently he wandered into the middle of one company’s arrow storm when the group of Resistance members was trying to escape through the facility’s underground tunnels. The lieutenant of that company didn’t identify him in time. There was no chance of saving him.’

  A moment of silence from the other male.

  Silver felt a drop of sweat slide down his back.

  ‘Kill the lieutenant,’ came the order.

  ‘Yes, my lord,’ responded Silver in a rush, his posture relaxing a little. ‘And the female?’

  The other male considered the question carefully.
‘Put her through her paces with the others. I want to be certain she’s the one, and if so, what else she may be capable of.’

  ‘Yes, my lord,’ said Silver, bowing deeply.

  His lord gave a quick shooing motion with one hand.

  Silver was dismissed.

  END OF BOOK 2 - CHANGE OF EDICT

  TO BE CONTINUED...

  (READ AN EXCERPT FROM BOOK 3 - CHANGE OF DARKNESS, AFTER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS)

  Dear reader,

  Thank you for purchasing this second book in the Change Series! This sequel was fun to write as I could take you through so much of the world of Kaslon in its pages and make you wonder even more about the developments between Siray and her friends.

  I’d love to see a review online from you, as your feedback helps me to make other books that much more of an immersive adventure that leaves you reading these books under the cover well into the night ☺

  So click the link below and rate your experience, throwing in a word or two to capture your thoughts :)

  I generally respond to each review over time as a thank you to each reader, so keep an eye out for my response!

  Leave a review for Change of Edict

  My personal favourite of the series is the third book in the series, because BIG reveals happen, surprising twists occur and Siray becomes…Ah well, guess I better let you read that one and find out!

  Don’t wait to find out but click the link below to buy the third book in the series, Change of Darkness.

  Happy reading,

  JJ

  Acknowledgements

  So, was the second book in my series easier to complete than the first?

  Hell no.

  Hence, I’d like to thank all the people who supported / stuck by me / sympathised / listened voluntarily / had no choice but to listen / had to live with me while I worked on this / helped me out / threw crazy ideas around and provided feedback—your efforts are hugely appreciated.

  Special thanks go out to: