by K. A Knight
He changes direction now, his eyes hard and face determined, heading straight for a still speaking Regina. Fuck, it’s an assassin. I move without thinking, leaping at him as he breaks from the crowd. People scream, seeing the bomb strapped to his chest as he points at Regina, his voice booming, “You will pay for—”
I tackle him to the ground and squeeze my eyes shut, expecting an explosion at any minute to blow me sky high. When nothing happens, I open my eyes and look down to see him knocked out, his hand holding what looks like a trigger for the device. I kick it away and search him for weapons as my men surround me, checking for injuries before helping me up. Guards are surrounding Regina, aiming into the crowd, it’s a mess. They are turning on her own people.
That’s when it hits me.
Standing up, I scan the dazed and scared Cities people, all fighting to get away, some not understanding why they are panicking, but fighting them all the same.
I grab the discarded mic and step into the camera. “People of the Cities!” I yell, and the crowd looks my way, slowly stilling, their scream tapering off as they realise the threat is neutralized. “I have saved your leader from death as she hid behind her people, leaving you to certain death. I feel you can accept this is bad leadership, as is the speech she just gave. It was not the truth. These men kneeling on these steps aren’t good men, they hurt my family. They tortured those I love, tortured them for information about me and my people beyond these walls. They stole them from me and hurt them, yet I showed no violence when I came here with an extended hand of peace. Not ten minutes ago, your leaders and I agreed on peace, but now I see that was all for show. Another manipulation. Yes, I asked for these men’s death, I won’t lie, but look at the men on the steps by my side.”
I search the crowd, seeing them start to listen to me, and I fucking hope this is working, because I am bullshitting out of my ears at this point. “You know them, they are one of you, they grew up here, on these streets, and fought to protect you. They were sent north, into my lands to spy on us, and report back so your guards could march on the North, because the truth is your Cities will not last. Your food is running out, you know this, you’ve seen the cullings, yet your rich stand here on these steps well-fed and rested. How can this be right?”
I stop then, looking around at the faces before me. “Our peace still stands, we will leave the Cities today and go home with no intention of attacking these walls. What comes after is up to you. It is not too late to save your people—all your people, not just those gathered in this square, but all three Cities. Look inside and look deep, are massacres to save the few the way to go? Or is there a leader more suited here? I will leave you with that and these men on the steps, men I am betting have hurt more than just the ones I love. Today, these savages leave you with options to save your future. We leave you with a decision to make, now, it is up to you.” With that, I drop the mic, looking over at Regina.
“I accept your terms, we are leaving now. Don’t ever come north or you will die.” I look at my men and they step closer as we leave the steps. Madness is breaking out in the square, public outcry, but over it I hear Regina’s voice.
“You made a mistake here!” she yells, but I ignore her, not looking back. No, I didn’t make a mistake, I lit the match that will burn this whole place down. I fanned the flames of war.
We slip through the crowd, my men staying behind me as we break out into the streets, which are filled with confused people. No one knows what is happening, but I can almost feel the change in the air. Even if they don’t ever change, this confusion gives us enough time to escape the Cities and get a head start on them. No doubt Regina is amassing her guards now to send them after us, probably has been for days, but with that final insult in front of her people, she will have to. I know she will.
When we reach almost empty streets leading to the gate, a man slips from the shadows, slow clapping with a grin, and I laugh when I see him—Dray. “Good going, soulmate,” he purrs, and I wink. “Seems you have found your lost boys. I think that’s our cue to exit?” he inquires, nodding when we hear horns blaring near the city center and an announcement declaring citywide martial law.
“Seems like you had fun with your bombs,” I comment, and laugh as he falls into step next to me as we head to the gate up ahead, our steps light and quick.
“Oh, it was magnificent, you should have been there. We should conquer cities more often, wife.” I snort and look around, checking for guards, but it’s quiet here, and when we reach the gate the guards there open it with no issue. We leave before they change their minds, the gears cranking as it slams shut with a resounding bang behind us, holding in the chaos we created there. My bike is still waiting there, but so are five others. I don’t ask, but I know Dray is responsible when he heads over.
“Time to lead the lambs to slaughter. Are they ready?” he asks, swinging on one and looking at me, his eyes blazing with the heat of battle.
“Let’s do it,” I declare, striding to my bike and slipping on, grinning when I spot my weapons there.
He winks at me. “Broke in and got them for you.”
“Crazy bastard,” I mutter, and he laughs as we start up our bikes.
I meet the eyes of all my other men and they nod, we are ready.
It’s time.
Long Live Our Fucking Queen
We wait on the sand dunes just across from the Cities, my heart pounding. What if I’m wrong? What if she stays to calm the Cities? What if she doesn’t come—
Just then, the gate opens, and rows upon rows of cars and trucks face us, some mounted with guns. Okay, I was right, the sight of that much artillery sends shivers of fear down my spine. The loss of life will be huge, but I can’t think about that now. It’s too late, all I can do is to fight with everything in me. Turning back to face the stretch of road, I rev my bike as I hear the trucks starting and heading towards us. Pulling up my bandanna, I gun it, riding hard and fast across the dunes, letting them chase us. Maxen already rode ahead to let them know we are coming and have them ready. So much is relying on timing.
Not every choice you make will be right, I learned that early on, but it’s how you handle the consequences and outcomes that make you a leader.
Major’s words from his letter float in my mind as I ride. I might not have made the right decision. Was there ever one, or do we always just make a choice and deal with the aftermath as best as we can? Who’s to say fate plays a part? Humans have choice and I made mine. Now, all I can do is deal with the consequences, like the leader he told me to be.
Nerves race through me as I think through everything that led up to this point, and I question whether the people I am depending on will be there waiting.
Trust in those around you to help, but when it comes down to it, trust yourself.
I trust them, I hope they trust me, because it’s time to put it to the test. I hear the roar of engines shredding sand, coming closer as I twist and turn down the roads, heading to the long stretch of sand between The Rim and the Cities where my armies await. I see the flash of metal before I spot them all.
Bikes, trucks, and even a fucking tanker wait in the distance. My army, ready to face down the Cities with me leading. I crank the engine, pushing it to the limit as the trucks behind us start firing, the bullets hitting the sand. I make sure to zigzag, feeling adrenaline firing through me and pushing all my worries aside. I eat up the distance, my bike faster than their trucks, and when I reach my front line I spin around and face the oncoming trucks on the horizon. Bern, Henry, and Erik ride to my side.
“Everything is ready, Ma Queen. We are all here,” my giant of a general calls.
“Ready to kill them,” Henry agrees.
“On your command, Queen.” Erik nods, his face covered in a grin.
I search my armies, spotting Nan on the front line with Reeves. Nan is in a side car of his bike holding her shotgun, swearing at the oncoming trucks. Priest and his men are to the left, all armed and sile
nt, waiting to meet their God. To my right are the Seekers, wearing all dark clothing and weapons, and behind me are chanting and stomping Berserkers, all giving a war cry as they wait for me. The sands vibrate with the sounds of the engines and shooting bullets, but my army only roars louder as fear does not even enter their minds. As I look back once more, I meet Pipers gaze, she is next to Archel who looks fierce and ready to face down death itself. She nods at me with a grin on her face, and I spot the words “fuck you” painted on her chest and stomach, almost making me laugh. Behind her is a group of people I have never seen. They don’t look like warriors, but each one is ready and waiting to fight. More than I could imagine.
Bullets tear through the air as the trucks bear down.
“Worth.”
My name makes me turn to face the front, sit back down on my bike, and steady my breathing.
“With you until the end, Mi Alma,” floats to me.
“Let’s kick some ass!” Drax yells.
“I wonder who will scream first, soulmate.”
Sucking in a breath, I find my center, Major’s words ringing through my head. His ghost haunts me now, not Ivar’s.
I know you aren’t alone.
He’s right, I’m not, I never have been, even in my darkest times, and now those people are gathered here to fight and die for me. Never alone, thanks to Major.
“It’s time to fight!” I scream. “For the North!” I yell, and fire up my engine.
“Long live our fucking queen!” they shout back, their engines starting behind me.
As guns fire, cars crash, and bikes explode, the war begins. I scream into the face of destruction. We will win or die trying. Kicking up sand behind me, I race towards the threat. Who knew a slave would end up leading the war cry to save our lands? Major is my guess. Maybe he was right, maybe I always did have a destiny, and maybe this is it. Or just fucking maybe we make our own way in life—no destiny or fate, just stumbling along the way, and eventually we find some people to ride it out with. These are my people, it’s time we showed the world you don’t mess with us.
The end is here for all of us.
Long live our fucking queen.
Long live the North.
I couldn’t have done this book without the contuined support of my beta readers, so for those of you who put up with my teasing, questions about sex scenes and all the other times I bombarded you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To my girls, without you I would be a mess rocking back and forth in the corner, thank you for keeping me sane.
To Sue, yes I wrote that scene for you.
To Jess’s husband, I added in as much bloodshed as I could, feel free to skip the sex scenes.
K.A Knight is an indie author trying to get all of the stories and characters out of her head. She loves reading and devours every book she can get her hands on, she also has a worrying caffeine addiction.
She leads her double life in a sleepy English town, where she spends her days writing like a crazy person.
Read more at K.A Knight’s website or join her Facebook Reader Group.
THEIR CHAMPION SERIES
The Wasteland
The Summit
The Cities
The Forgotten
The Lost (Coming 2019)
DAWNBREAKER SERIES
Voyage to Ayama
Dreaming of Ayama
THE LOST COVEN SERIES
Aurora’s Coven
Aurora’s Betrayal
HER MONSTERS SERIES
Rage
CO-AUTHOR PROJECTS
Circus Save Me
Taming The Ringmaster (Coming 2019)
Dark Temptations Volume One (contains One Night Only and Circus Saves Christmas)
The Wild Interview
The Hero Complex
Shipwreck Souls