Free The Column Racer by Jeffrey Johnson Page B

an unbroken horse, against her shoulder. She heard the snap of the arrow being pushed towards its target.
    “Welcome to Abhi, Areli” whispered the Emperor into her ear. “You’re dismissed.” She opened her eyes. The weapon fell from her hands. The prisoner was no longer in front of her kneeling. The force of the arrow had knocked her onto her back, the shaft lodged into the woman’s head. Areli had just killed a person. Not just killed, but executed someone. And not just someone, but a follower of Degendhard.

    The Emperor called forth the stylists and assistants. He told Emilee to get Areli from where she stood silently and motionless, her entire body in shock. The Emperor took one more passing look at them from his chair, and dismissed them.
    There was no more talk between Bray and Emilee. Areli could hear sniffling coming from behind her, which she assumed came from Samara. And before they left the Emperor’s room, a blood curdling laughter sent chills down her spine, as the Emperor was back to drinking wine and prancing around with his women.
    The walk back through the palace was nothing but a mixture of colors, as no one spoke a word, and Areli’s head swirled with pain, anger, and regret. As they walked back down to their carriage, Kaia screamed for Areli as she could feel all her rider’s emotions pushing through her. She looked at her parents, who were both wet with emotion, and she could no longer keep up her strength, and she cried as well.
    The group stopped as her father grabbed his wife and daughter to him as if he hadn’t seen them in years, apologizing to them constantly.
    “It’s okay, Areli,” cried her father, “you had no choice. It was either her or your mother. You had no choice.” Her mother’s body shook like a crashing wave, her father an avalanche of pain, and Areli’s own body felt like a falling tree. Emilee grabbed Areli’s arm, pulling her away from her parents to her mother’s scream.
    “He can see you,” said Emilee, “if you wish to cry, do it in there, but for the sake of the stars, shed not a single tear on this rug. He’s not worthy of them.” Kaia roared a scream of sadness. Areli’s pain was burning through her.
    “Calm your dragon, missy,” said Emilee, “he will not look kindly to that either.” Areli tried to get a hold of herself. “Keep going, get them to the carriage, your dragon needs to be subdued . . . calm yourself Areli, calm yourself.” It was the first time Emilee used her name. Emilee held Areli’s shoulders gently. “Clear away the pain, wipe away the anger, you must Areli, you must.” Areli took deep breaths and felt her lungs choking her as she exhaled. Her eyes red, her heart searing, she didn’t know how she would be able to calm herself.
    “Areli if you don’t, he will kill you,” screamed Emilee, “do you understand, he will walk out his palace doors, down these steps, and spill your blood on this very carpet.” Areli could feel Emilee’s tender hands on her shoulders, tears filling her eyes as well. She wiped away the tears on Areli’s face and hugged her like a mother would her child. “Please, Areli,” said Emilee, “please, I know you’re strong enough. Tears for Degendhard’s followers will not be accepted. You can’t shed a tear for her. Her death was deserved.” Areli pulled away from her.
    “You don’t understand!” screamed Areli, “you don’t get it. You have all . . .” Emilee covered Areli’s mouth and shook her head.
    “No, Areli,” scolded Emilee harshly, “ you don’t get it. You are not in Sector D anymore. Degendhard is the enemy. Degendhard will always be the enemy here.” Areli’s dragon gave an angry roar, and started to smash its body against the metal bars, as its body was infused with the rage and anger boiling beneath Areli’s skin. “Areli, please! Calm your mind. Or you won’t get out of here alive. You’ve seen what he’s capable of. Please.”
    Areli had to cover her ears as