Free Web NovelChapter 86: Taken Hostage (2)
Silence hung heavy in the air as Shinon sat alone in the dimly lit corridor outside the Phoenixes’ meeting room. The news of Selena’s abduction by the bandits had struck everyone like a blow to the chest.
Anguish and worry consumed his thoughts, and his usually calm and collected demeanour had been replaced with a restless unease.
The settlement had never been as quiet as it was at the moment. Even though Shinon wanted to laugh at the misfortune of the Phoenixes, he couldn’t bring himself to do so.
His uncaring nature towards Selena had evaporated as soon as he finished reading the letter, and though he didn’t see her in the light he did before, he didn’t want any misfortune on her... not anymore.
"There has to be something that can be done to get her out of wherever she is..." Shinon leaned back in the chair.
Kira had been there to see him, but he had to send her away to keep Rico company. But even she reaffirmed his decision of not sitting idly and letting those fucking bandits do as they pleased.
"If only these fuckers could stop debating and take some action, everything would be fine."
Inside the meeting room, voices rose and fell, debating the fate of Selena. The Phoenixes, the very organisation Selena had once served with complete loyalty, now deliberated her worth.
Some argued for immediate action, demanding that they rescue her at any cost, while others argued that her life was inconsequential compared to the greater objectives of the Phoenixes. freewēbnoveℓ.com
Shinon’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white as he listened to the heated exchange of words. His mind raced with conflicting emotions, torn between the desire to save Selena, the woman he once liked, and the bitterness that still lingered from their past.
Shinon could hear snippets of their discussions seeping through the cracks in his door, their tones varying from impassioned pleas for action to cautious voices of restraint.
"We cannot risk the lives of others for the sake of one," Lova’s voice urged, laced with a sense of cold pragmatism. "Selena’s life, as unfortunate as it may be, does not outweigh the greater good of our settlement."
"But she is one of us, Lova!" Sable retorted, heavy with desperation. "We can’t simply abandon her to her fate."
"Look, no matter how we feel, going to war against an enemy we have next to no information about is suicide."
As the voices within the room grew louder and more impassioned, Shinon’s patience wore thin.
"Nah, fuck this."
He stood abruptly, his eyes blazing with determination, and with a surge of adrenaline, he kicked open the doors to the meeting room. The sudden intrusion silenced the room as all eyes turned towards him.
"Enough!" Shinon’s voice reverberated through the chamber, filled with anger and urgency. "While you waste time debating, Selena’s life hangs in the balance. I won’t stand idly by as you weigh her worth against your objectives!"
Gasps and murmurs filled the room as the Phoenixes processed Shinon’s interruption. Marcus raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of surprise and irritation.
"And who do you think you are, Shinon?" Marcus spoke with a measured tone, attempting to regain control of the situation. "Selena’s fate is not for you to decide. We are in the midst of delicate negotiations, and we must consider the safety of the entire settlement over that of... one woman."
"Wow, I always knew you have the habit of abandoning people in the face of the slightest inconveniences, but this is a new low, even for you."
Shinon’s eyes burned with an intensity that dared anyone to challenge him. "I don’t care about your negotiations or your settlement. Selena is a life worth saving, and if you don’t do it, then I will."
Disbelief and indignation swept through the room, but Shinon stood his ground. His words hung heavy in the air, challenging the very foundations of the Phoenixes’ principles.
"You’re risking everything we’ve built here! And don’t forget, you’re our slave, not the other way around!" Lova shouted, her voice filled with frustration. "One life should not outweigh the lives of many. I will not stand for this!"
Shinon’s gaze hardened, his voice low and firm. "You may think that, but I won’t abandon someone I care about. If you don’t act, then I’ll go alone. Even if I must fight through all of you, so be it."
The room fell into an uneasy silence as the Phoenixes grappled with Shinon’s resolve. The debate within their ranks intensified, voices clashing as they tried to find common ground. But amidst the chaos, Shinon remained steadfast, his eyes never leaving Marcus.
"Fine," Marcus finally conceded, his voice tinged with a newfound respect for Shinon. "If you’re willing to risk everything for Selena, then go. But know this, Shinon, you’re on your own. We won’t jeopardise the settlement for one person."
A flicker of gratitude passed over Shinon’s features, acknowledging Marcus’s reluctant approval.
"Oh, and if you die, your friends will have to pay your debt. Is that clear?" Lova chimed in.
"You better wish I die then." Shinon flipped her off, and with determination, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving the Phoenixes to their deliberations.
Outside, the night air greeted him with a chill, matching the uncertainty ahead. But Shinon pushed the doubts aside, focusing on the task at hand. He knew he had little time to spare, and every passing moment could mean a step closer to losing Selena forever.
As he set off on his solo mission to rescue Selena, Shinon’s heart pounded with fear, determination, and a flicker of hope. He couldn’t predict what lay ahead but was ready to face any challenge.
At that moment, his feelings for Selena eclipsed any other considerations, and he vowed to do whatever it took to bring her back safely.
With each step he took, the weight of responsibility settled upon his shoulders. The fate of Selena, and perhaps even the fragile bonds of the Phoenixes, now rested in his hands.
And with a renewed sense of purpose, Shinon embarked on a path that would test not only his strength and skill but also the limits of his intelligence, as the bandits would not be an easy opponent to go against.
