Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

just now truly beginning to understand what it was she and the Resistance were fighting against. What they were fighting to save.

Their world. Their way of life.

On and on the whipping went, but now Siray and the other captives who had only received one lashing took turns retrieving each new pair. Back and forth they went, the clothing of the helpers becoming more covered in blood as the number of lashings increased with each pair they carried back across the sands to the little comfort, if any, that the main group could offer.

When it came to the last captive to take the punishment—the female who had been number sixty-one—Genlie and Kovi stood ready to collect her, waiting as the kneeling female shuddered and curled even farther forwards as the bloodied whip came down one final time.

Then the pair was walking across the sands and kneeling by the collapsed female as the pair of soldiers rolled up their bloody whips, strapped the weapons onto their backs, and turned, walking away without another backwards glance.

But the female captive hadn’t yet moved.

And then Genlie was standing, her fair skin paling as her hands, now stained red with the blood of countless other captives, rose to cover her mouth.

Kovi looked up from where he knelt to stare across at Siray and the others. ‘She’s dead,’ he said flatly, in that direct way of his.

The world went silent around Siray for a moment. Then her hearing returned, but it seemed to pulse in time with her escalating heartbeat. She could barely breathe.

‘Line up!’ Herrin commanded.

For a moment, Siray forgot herself and where she was, disbelief and then rage running rampant across her face. She spun to glare at the training master, showing her teeth as she decided that only Changing into her sevonix form and shredding his back would be a suitable way for him to die.

But then a hand clamped down on her arm, and Siray looked up, fully expecting Baindan or Zale to be about to hold her back. They could try.

But the eyes she met were not golden or grey. They were hazel.

Tamot’s eyes were hard, but also understanding. And they pleaded with her. ‘Don’t do it, Siray. Yes, you’ll get revenge for those who have suffered, but what about the suffering of those you’ll leave behind after the Faction executes you for killing Herrin?’ A lock of Tamot’s dark-red hair slid over his forehead as he dipped his head.

Siray followed his look and saw Baindan and Zale standing there, paces away, desperately watching her. Both willing to help her. Both willing to die for her. And both of whom would suffer as she had suffered upon Deson’s death.

Like Tamot had suffered upon Jorgi’s.

So, nodding stiffly once to Tamot, Siray wiped away all expression from her face and silently went to her place.

Only the twenty-one of them who had received one lash were able to line up, and it was still a torture to do so, especially as it gave all of them who were standing a clear view of the rest of the injured.

Siray couldn’t understand it. What did the Faction have to gain by doing this to them?

‘Well, it’s still morning, but by my count, there remain some laps left to complete.’

The silence this time was deep with shock.

But Herrin was serious. Siray could see it in his eyes. Yet she could also see something else—see the hope there, that at least one of them would refuse his order. Siray flicked her gaze down to the trainer’s body. Saw the way he was positioned, his weight resting mostly on the balls of his feet, his legs spaced, hands and shoulders relaxed.

Siray breathed out carefully as she realised what the trainer was doing. And thanked the Mother that Tamot had stopped her when he had.

Herrin wanted to get a rise out of them. Wanted someone to attack him. Or fall apart. Siray wasn’t exactly sure which, but she knew the final outcome would be the same—punishment, or death. Or maybe a combination.

And as the captives all stayed silent and motionless, Siray realised just how effective the Faction’s training system was.

Herrin must have realised, too, that they were finally beginning to get it. He nodded, seemingly satisfied. ‘Twenty more laps, and then you can help the others. Get them to Change, if you can. And remind them about what will happen the next time they disobey an order.’ He shrugged. ‘If they survive, that is.’

Siray’s stomach clenched tightly, but Herrin was already pointing.

‘Run.’

They all turned and ran.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE CAPTIVES COMPLETED their laps quickly, knowing that the lives of their fellows could hang in the balance. Then they moved about amongst the forty-two others, urging those who had regained consciousness to Change into another form if it was larger than their normal one.

And then, the last thing Siray would have expected—that any of them would have thought likely at this point—happened.

Multiple figures, perhaps ten or so, also clad in black but wearing gold sashes around their waists, came filing in through the doorway that led back into the tunnel, their leader angling straight for the group of captives.

Siray stood immediately, concerned about the intentions of these new additions—maybe they intended to harm those who looked to be in the worst condition?

It turned out to be the opposite.

The leading figure, a thin and hard-faced female, reached Siray and promptly knelt down beside the prone male Siray had been urging to Change.

Siray widened her stance, preparing to defend the unfamiliar male if this female intended him harm. He had taken his punishment—could be dying because of it. She would not let them do anything more.

Yet the female ignored Siray and reached beneath the sash that was wrapped several times around her waist.

Siray tensed, gearing up to dive-tackle the female if she pulled a weapon.

Instead, the female removed a small bag and began to sort through the contents.

Siray froze, almost dumb with the shock as she realised what this female was.

A healer.

Kneeling quickly to warn