"I will find her if she is alive," Lucas said. He turned to leave, not understanding why he was being nice to Herod. Ava was rubbing off on him.
"You were wrong, Lucas," Herod called after him.
Lucas paused. Just for a second. It wasn't enough to admit the words meant anything, but it was enough to say he'd heard them.
"You are a better man."
Lucas didn't respond. He didn't turn around. He just kept walking. He didn't need Herod's validation.
*****
Ava and Zoe were walking side-by-side toward the town hall.
They were headed to arrange an official announcement, a call to the people. After the fall of Alpha King Herod, questions buzzed through the community.
"Did you speak with Herod?" Ava ventured.
Zoe didn't even hesitate. "No. I don't want to talk about that. Lucas already told me how you feel about it, and honestly, I do not care. He will die. End of story."
