Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
I hope.
Belara and Liar-Kalos are helped off their mounts, and they both approach my Kalos. Liar-Kalos sneers at the makeshift throne, but my Kalos doesn’t move or even sit up straight. He remains sprawled, legs out, as if he’s half-asleep.
They stare at each other, and the entire plaza is silent. It’s as if no one wants to be the first one to speak.
My Kalos turns his sleepy-eyed gaze on his twin. “You were supposed to come alone.”
Liar-Kalos gives him a toothy grin. “But I didn’t?”
“You lied.”
“What can I say.” He spreads his hands, his expression unrepentant. “You should have expected it?”
My Kalos gives a slow, ugly smile. “Oh, I did.”
“Is that why your Anchor isn’t next to you, but in hiding?”
“You’re not hiding yours?” My Kalos arches a brow.
Liar-Kalos straightens, his cloak swirling as he stalks forward a step. “It’s called an entourage. You expect me to scavenge in the gutters every day like some sort of mortal?” He looks my Kalos up and down, his expression one of pure disdain as he takes in his wrinkled clothing. “Like you’ve been doing?”
Belara steps forward, putting a hand on Liar-Kalos’s chest as if to hold him back from lunging to the throne. “Let us not fight, my darlings. We’re here for a reason, aren’t we? Shouldn’t we spend this time discussing strategy?”
“Strategy?” My Kalos sits up in his wooden throne a little. “What strategy can there be in teaming up with someone who has betrayed me—betrayed us,”—he gestures at Liar-Kalos—“time and time again? What possible advantage is there to be gained?”
The goddess laughs, the sound like the tinkling of chimes.
I hate her guts.
“My darlings, my heart is true this time. We are here to learn and to see new paths, are we not? I have changed. I have learned the error of my ways.” She emphasizes each word as if they’re vows she’s making, and each time Liar-Kalos looks over at the ethereally beautiful goddess, I want to scream a protest. She’s literally the embodiment of lies. The fact that she’s snowed him yet again tells me how very good she is at it. I’m terrified she’s going to convince my Kalos of her point of view, too. That she’s going to somehow turn him around and he’s going to want to be at her side for all eternity…
…an eternity I don’t get to share with him, I’m suddenly remembering, and I’m sick to my stomach.
I clench my jaw, fighting back tears. This is stupid. This is so stupid. I need to think about the next ten minutes, not the future. Nothing has been promised to anyone. Even if Kalos wanted me at his side, he could change his mind. It might not be allowed.
It doesn’t matter. None of it matters if we don’t defeat Liar-Kalos. That’s what I need to focus on.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
Someone sneezes.
I go still. My eyes flick open, and I study the crowd. To a one, the entire Kalos-Belara entourage start sneezing. I know what they’re doing—those fucking bastards are trying to hide who it is. I study each face to see whose eyes are watering, who looks like they have a runny nose. Who is it? I can’t tell.
But if someone sneezed once, maybe they’ll sneeze again.
“You think I’m an idiot, don’t you?” my Kalos asks. “You’re speaking in lies. When you’re not, you’re avoiding a straightforward answer. You reply to my questions with questions of your own. I’ve done this before, you know. I know how the game is played.”
“Wouldn’t it be interesting to learn that our interests are converging this time around?” Belara says sweetly. “That we have a common goal?”
Someone sneezes again.
The goddess shoots a glance at Liar-Kalos, who keeps a bland expression on his beautiful face.
“What are you doing?” my Kalos asks slowly, sitting upright. His voice rises over the crowd, most likely for my benefit. “I can tell you’re using your powers. Who is it that you’re infecting, brother?”
The crowd shivers, and there’s an unhappy undercurrent. Everyone starts to look at their neighbors with uncertainty. My head throbs, the start of a migraine. My nose tickles and I bite down on my tongue so hard that my eyes water. I dig my nails into my palms until I feel blood…but I don’t sneeze.
If I sneeze and they notice, I’m dead.
Liar-Kalos pulls away from Belara’s clinging hands. His long white hair flutters in the breeze. He steps forward and I can’t see his face. I’m tempted to follow along, to move forward until I get a good look at him, but it feels safer to stay hidden where I am. He speaks, and the plaza crowded with people hushes.
“Isn’t it obvious you don’t trust me?” he asks, voice ringing out. “Wouldn’t it be interesting if I sprinkled a little plague amidst the crowd here and see who you rush to save?”