Free New Roots (Fate's Intent Book 8) by April Bowles

you. You’ll be fine.”
    This was worse than the plain punishment alone. I couldn’t be the one to do this. It wasn’t right.
    “It’s okay.” Adele placed her hand on my back to try and give me some kind of comfort. “All you have to do is keep him alive.”
    “She’s right.” My father said. “Steady hand. Hold the force. You should also keep in mind that Jaylyn will not be able to heal him until his wounds bring him no more pain. It’s the process he must go through if he truly wishes to accomplish what he needs to.”
    “And who’s going to tell her that?” Ruby asked.
    “He will.”
    I sighed. “Father, I can’t do this.”
    “You have to.”
    “But I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s not like I’ve had to do it before. We don’t keep survivors.”
    “But it has to be you. We’ve discussed it.”
    I sighed again and started pacing. I did not like the idea of this at all. Troy was like a brother to me; he was my brother. I couldn’t bring him that kind of pain. My thoughts halted on the word brother and I had an idea. “Okay but I can’t do it alone. I want to guarantee that he’ll survive. In order to do that, I need someone who’s experienced in this.”
    “Ryon.” Adele muttered.
    “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” My father asked. “I thought we just got rid of him.”
    I almost hated how he hated him so much. I didn’t feel any kind of hate for Ryon anymore. He was my brother and I knew he could help; I knew that he’d want to. “It is if that means Troy will truly stay alive. He doesn’t have to do anything, just tell me what to do.”
    “Are you sure he’ll agree and not misinform you?”
    “He would never hurt Jaylyn that way or me. Trust me.”
    “Very well then. Then call to him.”
    I closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my nose while thinking of needing him again.
    A breeze filled the narrow hall and Ryon stood in front of the steel door but remained in his transparent form. “Who says death is peaceful?”
    “I’m sorry.” I said. “But we need your help again.”
    “Wow! Red! Look at you! How long has that been there?!”
    He had his eyes down on her belly and she put her hands on it while narrowing her eyes towards him. “You already know.”
    “I know. I was just kidding. So? What’d you do this time? I thought the whole Troy thing was fixed?”
    “It was until now.” Darius said.
    Ryon looked around at everyone’s eyes and I think he was reading our thoughts because he sounded like he figured it out on his own. “That’s nice. There’s something wrong with you people.”
    “You think we want this?” I asked. “Well, we don’t. That’s why you’re here. I’ve never had to do this before but you have. We just need to get him through it alive so he feels he accomplished something.”
    “Please.” Adele begged.
    Ryon rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine. I’m in but he can’t know that I was involved.”
    “Why?” Ruby asked.
    “Because he’ll know that it was planned for him to survive, not that he did it on his own. I can easily just be a voice inside your head.”
    “Okay. That’s a better plan.” I said.
    “When?”
    “Tomorrow morning. Early.”
    Ryon paused for a moment and started to pace while he brought his hands to his head. “Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Early. Early. Early. Okay. I think I’ll be free then.”
    “You’ll make yourself be.” My father demanded. I was glad he wanted Troy to survive as much as we did. “And don’t be late.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 17
     
     
    Jaylyn
     
    “Troy? Are you all right?”
    “Yes. I’m okay.”
    “I have a bad feeling.” I came up behind him and put my hand on his bare shoulder.
    He reached over and took it as he turned with this voice I didn’t like hearing. It was like he knew something was going to happen. “Jaylyn, I’m going to need you to be strong for me.”
    My eyes started to water with worry. “Why? What’s going to happen?”
    “I’m