𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍─𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞²

09. sniper on the loose

He had been stationed slightly above me, not in my direct line of sight. But now he was no where to be seen. 

"Costa," I called through the radio, my eyes scanning the area. "You got eyes on Riley?"

"Went to take a leak." Costa answered, not sounding the least bit concerned. 

"How long ago?" I questioned, my worrying beginning to rise. 

"I don't know. Not long."

"Did he take his rifle?" Monty cut in, concern present in his voice as well. 

I looked over to where Riley had been, seeing no sign of his weapon. "Yeah" I answered, my eyes falling on a small black device. "Left his radio though."

Defeat ran through my body, as I came to face the fact that Riley hadn't left his post to go to the washroom. He had left to kill Roan.

"Monty-"

"--I know." Monty answered, his tone sounding similar to my own. "Avery, stay where you are. I'll handle this."

"No." I argued, already moving from my post. "I've got this. Monty, stay in formation, and cover me."

"Avery!" David snapped through the radio, "Avery, where are you going."

I left my gun, shoving the radio into my pocket as I made my way down the ravine, my heart hammering against my chest in fear. 

"Avery, you'll never make it past the army!" Harper yelled through the walkie, her voice high pitched in terror. 

I ignored her, knowing that this needed to be done in order to prevent a wide scale massacre. 

All eyes were on me as I made my way down to where the army was stationed, my hands immediately raising in surrender the minute the Ice Nation spotted me making my way toward them. 

All bows turned in my direction, several men yelling out that Skaikru was approaching. 

Bellamy's eyes landed on me, and instantly widened in confusion and worry. 

"I'm unarmed!" I called, raising my hands further into the air. "I need to speak to whoever's in charge!"

An Azgeda man rushed toward me, harshly grabbing a hold of me as he yanked me closer to the army. He stuck his hands into my pockets, depriving me of my walkie. 

A grunt fell from my lips as he all but threw me to the ground, causing me to land harshly on my side. 

Bellamy and Kane both attempted to lunge forward, trying to catch me. 

The Azgeda man grabbed a hold of my hair, pulling me up so I was on my knees. "Do you really have to be so rough." I muttered, shooting him a glare as I rubbed my now aching side. 

Bellamy leaned toward me, his eyes searching my own. "Are you okay?" he questioned quietly. 

I nodded, my eyes flickering past him toward where Echo was currently dismounting her horse. 

"Is Octavia alive?" Bellamy whispered, pulling my attention back to him.

"Yes." I answered, trying to keep my face neutral as to not alert the Ice Nation of this revelation. 

"Speak!" Echo demanded, stopping beside us, her eyes angry. 

I pursed my lips, glaring up at her for a moment. "One of our people have moved out of formation." I explained through gritted teeth. "We have reason to belief he is going to attempt to assassinate the king."

Echo's eyes darted toward the cliffs before back to me. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Why do you think she's telling you this?" Bellamy snapped. "She's trying to stop a massacre."

"Who is it?" Kane asked, leaning toward me. 

"Riley." I answered. 

"Riley?" Bellamy echoed. "He shouldn't even be here."

"Yeah," I breathed, "I think that's what we're all starting to realize."

Echo glared at the two of us before turning and spiting orders at her army. Two men rushed to her side, seemingly ready to head for the cave. 

"Wait!" Kane called, stopping Echo and her men from moving any further. "If our snipers see archers on the move, they'll open fire." He then looked to me. "Tell her!"

I gave a small nod, letting out a shaky breath. "Those are our orders."

"I will not allow my king to be assassinated." Echo snarled. 

"He doesn't have to be!" Bellamy argued. "I know Riley. Let me come with you. I can stop him."

My head shot toward him in confusion. What the hell was Bellamy doing? Agreeing to go with Echo was a recipe for disaster. But at the same time, I knew it was the only way to potentially ensure Riley's survival. 

"Do you think me a fool, Bellamy?"

Bellamy gave a small tilt of his head. "You'd be a dead fool if you step out of this kill box without me."

"Use Avery's radio and let Kane tell them that we're working together to find Riley and they'll let us pass." He bargained. 

Echo looked to the man who had taken my radio, giving him a small nod. Wordlessly, he tossed her my radio and in turn she passed it to Kane. 

As Kane spoke to David through the walkie, my eyes landed on Bellamy, and I tried to study his face. He gave me the smallest of nods, letting me know he had this under control. 

Once the radio was back in her grasp, Echo spat out another order in Trigedasleng, one that resulted in the chains being removed from Bellamy. 

She then looked to me, her eyes full of hate. "...And put it on this one." she ordered. 

Bellamy's head snapped toward me, and a guilty look covered his face. I sent a quick glare in Echo's direction before looking back to Bellamy with a small smile. "It's okay." I whispered, wincing as the Ice Nation soldiers yanked me from the ground once again. They pulled me to where Bellamy had been held, shoving me to my knees before attaching the chain to my ankle...looked like I wasn't going anywhere. 

"If I'm not back before the sun goes past the trees," Echo announced, unsheathing her blade. "Kill the hostages."