Make A Choice

[Aera's POV]

I stare down at Ayla's pain-filled expression while trying not to count every fucking minute that has passed. Where the hell were the elders, and why were they taking so long? Was this intentional on their part because they too, like everyone else, wanted Ayla gone?

As this thought hits, the urge to go find the bastards myself flares, but before I can act on it, the door behind me opens, and they appear with impassive looks on their faces.

"About time," I growl, moving aside while they come to surround Ayla.

"We came as soon as we heard," Elder Tyson responds calmly.

"As soon as you heard," I huff, knowing damn well they didn't. "Of course."

This was the thing I despised the most about the elders. If it didn't benefit them in some way, they didn't particularly care. I understood that our world was one where only the strongest survived, but as the ones who are supposed to lead us the safety of their own should be the greatest priority.

No one bothers responding to my remar