Secondborn

We reach the ground floor and Gilad is first off the lift, followed by Hammon and Edgerton. Hawthorne holds the door open for me. I’m glad he doesn’t touch me. I’ve reached my limit for being manhandled today. The next person who tries will wind up hurting.

Chapter 9

That’s Mine

We file through the ground floor of the firstborn officer Tree. Hawthorne still radiates rage. Gilad marches beside him. Hammon and Edgerton are ahead of them. I trail behind, my heeled boots and shorter legs making it hard to keep up.

My entourage walks right by the cluster of chairs closest to the outer doors without seeing the devil seated in one of them. I slow my pace, staring at Agent Crow. He smiles. Steel teeth shine. Pointing to the life-size virtual monitor encompassing the nearest pillar, he directs my gaze. My image is on it, a replay of the news conference. I blink. I seem so much older than I am—it’s the air of confidence I’m feigning, a trait I’ve learned from watching my mother. It exudes from behind my carefully applied war paint.

I come to a stop when I notice the hilt of my fusionblade on Agent Crow’s hip. It’s unmistakable, bearing my family crest. My heart squeezes tight. My grandfather gave me that sword when I was born. It’s the only thing I ever received from him.

Agent Crow says, “You didn’t even mention me once in your news conference.”

“You’re not important, Agent Crow.”

“You wound me, Roselle.”

“I’d like nothing better.”

“Don’t tease me,” he replies.

“That’s my sword,” I state. The fact that he’s wearing it on his person is so offensive that I’m laser-focused.

“Was, Roselle. This was your sword.” His eyes almost sparkle.

“No. It is my sword. You stole it from me.”

“Careful.” His smile evaporates. “You don’t want to go around making accusations you cannot possibly prove.”

“I can prove it’s my sword. It has a rose embossed on the center of the hilt.”

“I like roses.” He shrugs with an amused smirk.

“The rose is interwoven into the St. Sismode crest.”

“Coincidence.”

“I think not. I want my sword.”

“Well, you cannot have it.”

“Why not?”

“Your commanding officer is only going to take it from you anyway. You’re no longer a St. Sismode. You’re Roselle Sword. Roselle St. Sismode no longer exists. This is just a representation of who you used to be. What do you say I keep it for you . . . for later?”

“I say no.”

Hawthorne is so close behind me that he accidentally brushes up against me as he whispers, “Stand down.”

“No.”

“Agent Crow’s right,” Hawthorne explains. “They’ll only take it from you, Roselle. Let it go.”

“No. It’s my sword.” It’s the only tie I have left to my identity—my family. I’d rather fight and pay the consequences than back down. I lunge at Agent Crow.

Hawthorne is ready for my attack. My feet lift off the ground as he pins my arms behind me before I can touch Kipson Crow’s smug face. I struggle against him, and he wrestles me down onto the marble floor. My cheek hits hard and bounces. On bended knee beside me, Hawthorne grits his teeth. “Calm down, Roselle! You die if you hit him unprovoked in public. Be smart!”

I kick Hawthorne in the knee with the heel of my boot. It doesn’t hurt him through his combat armor, but his knee slips out from under him. He crashes to the floor beside me and loosens his grip on my arms. I shake free, but Gilad’s knee digs into the middle of my back, keeping me down. I throw my head back, connecting with Gilad’s nose. He moans and swears. Hawthorne tries to get up, but I pull him by the ear until his head hits the floor like mine did. The golden ring on my hand leaves claw marks across his cheek.

As I struggle, I almost have Hawthorne and Gilad off me, despite their size and weight. I crash back down, though, as Edgerton tackles me, too. The wiry soldier from the mountains of Swords gets my arms behind me once more. Everyone hangs on. Wrist restraints clamp onto me while Gilad and Hawthorne hold my legs.

Hammon gets down at eye level with me. Her brown ponytail sticks out from her helmet and sweeps the floor. “Look at me!” she orders. “You’ll survive this! We won’t let you die for a family that no longer wants you. You’re a secondborn Sword. You’re our family now!”

All I can do is pant, unable to take a full breath with their weight on top of me. Gilad and Edgerton slide off. Hawthorne hauls me to my feet by my wrist restraints. I refuse to cry out, even though it’s excruciating.

Agent Crow starts clapping. “This is so touching. What a little family unit you’ve become in such a short time.” He’s less than pleased, though. He wanted me to hit him.

Hawthorne shoves me into Gilad and Edgerton with a murderous look. They each take me by an arm and lift me off the ground, though I’m no longer struggling. They walk me out of the building while Hawthorne stays behind with Agent Crow, who calls out after me. “I’ll keep your sword safe, Roselle! Not to worry!”