If I had gone with her instead of fleeing while she slept, would things have been different? Haman never would have found me, and I never would’ve gone to work for Jasyn Crowe.
Sigh. If only.
“Eb, I’m serious.” Tide’s urging pulls me from the memory. “At least try.”
I nod. Then I rise and step back. I haven’t shifted since the Callings returned. The broken boy before me has placed all his hope in what I may not even be capable of. Still, I can’t say no to a challenge. I picture Dennielle, her kind face and green eyes. Then I take on her form, hoping to the Verity I now believe in that I’ll have her healing touch too.
Khloe gasps once the transformation is complete. Mouth gaping, she scrambles to her feet.
I look myself over, notice the way my clothes are way too tight for my more filled-out frame now. Doesn’t look too bad, though. I glance at her. “What is it, Khlo?”
“You’re, you’re . . .”
My eyebrows lower. “I’m what?” I kneel beside Tide.
He helps guide my hands to take hold of his injured arm. “It’s okay. I believe in you.”
Deep breath. Focus. I look over my shoulder at my sister who’s still staring at me wide-eyed, at Stormy who’s trying to get her to snap out of it. Stormy mouths something inaudible, then ushers Khloe away, probably to see if she can get her talking, or at the very least blinking, again.
Tide and I are alone now. So not good.
“Please, Eb.” He brushes the hair off my face with his working hand. It’s the lightest touch, but I can feel it resonate through my entire body. “I need you.”
Oh, for the love of Prada. I can’t deny him. “This may not work.”
He smiles. That stupid, tingle-inducing smile.
I hate how much I like him.
“You’re a Physic now.” He winks. “Just pop it back in.”
“Oh, is that all?” This guy is something else. “Well, why didn’t you just say so?” Oh pardon, is my sarcasm showing?
“Mmm-hmm.”
Would he stop smiling already? I’m not even Ebony right now, but he sees right through my Shield, doesn’t he? His sweetness is going to make me kiss him. And I am definitely not going to be the one to make that move. No sir. A girl’s got to draw the line somewhere. If anyone is kissing anyone, he is kissing me. And he’d better not kiss me when I’m not me. Because that would be weird.
“Okay, this is going to hurt.” My hands shake. I steady them. These are Dennielle’s hands, not mine. She could fix this and I am her.
At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself.
He winks again. “Thanks for the warning.” He’s trying to hide it, but I detect his wince as I move one hand to his forearm and the other to support his elbow. I rotate his arm into position. How in the Reflections do I know what I’m doing?
He braces himself on his knees, leaning into me.
Three, two, one . . .
His scream sends sleeping birds into flight.
TWENTY-FOUR
Or Are You Beautiful?
The path that leads to death? Lion lady must be tripping if she thinks I’m following any path but the one that leads me home. This is all backward. I thought she was going to help me. Odessa claimed my heart was involved in the price.
I shoot a glare saved for Jasyn alone. How could I believe he stood a chance at being anything but exactly who he’s always been? I’m done with the good Samaritan bit. My only goal now is to get out. Now.
I clear my throat. “I respectfully decline your offer.” Right, as if she’d let me. “I’ll find another way home.”
The Lioness prowls around me. A low purr emits from her throat, rumbles my core.
So yeah, I’d rather not be treated like dinner, thanks. It’s really not helping.
“You are a smart girl.” Her Grace pauses before me once more. “I think we both know a declination is not an option here.”
Swallow. One step backward. Two.
“You will not cooperate?”
Another step. Wait for the perfect moment. Don’t run yet.
“I see.” She turns and saunters along the brick path. Once she reaches my grandfather and the Munchkin woman, she converses in a hushed tone.
Really? She’s going to make it so easy to up and walk away?
Guess so.
I pivot. This is too eas—
My heart sinks. Never mind.
Two guards step from behind trees, each dressed in some sort of governmental garb similar to what the man at the door modeled. They carry green staffs. Their faces are as straight as the poles they grasp. How very imperial. Their weapons cross, making an X. Path officially blocked.
Here I am again. Trapped and clearly out of the loop. Whatever. It’s not as if this is new territory, existing amidst secrets and lies.
“Everyone has an agenda. Everyone.”
Joshua’s warning stills my heart. Always protecting me. Never letting me down.
And there it is again. Why is it every time I think of Joshua, the Verity grows hot within? Not the warm, comforting sensation of a blanket and a cup of cider in the fall. Closer to sitting on hot pavement beneath a blistering sun with nowhere to go. What do you want, Verity?
“Trust me.”
Joshua’s words. And Mom’s. But their voices don’t quite fit. This voice sounds more like—
No. Couldn’t be. A monster and a coward isn’t capable of such tenderness. Hatred boils and the Verity cools it. Calms it to a simmer. I know I shouldn’t hate the Void. The Verity’s vessel is supposed to guard it, keep it from harming anyone else. Which is why I have to get back. Without me, what’s become of the others? If Kyaphus has so much as looked at anyone wrong, so help me I will lock him away and throw the key into the Fourth’s ocean.
Sigh. My soul falters. The harbored anger is almost easier to unleash. Why fight it?
The trio continues to discuss me without, well, me. I have to wonder how the Lioness is able to speak. She seems to be an ordinary creature, nothing fantastical about her aside from her fluent use of human language. I doubt she’s a Mask. Robyn and Wren can’t speak as a tiger or a griffin, so why would a lion be any different? Any relation to Aslan?
Okay. Bad joke.
If they’re planning to take all day, fine. I have better things to do. Like rediscovering my Amulet and telling these guards where to put their fancy walking sticks.
“Hey.” Chin jutted toward them, I prepare for target practice. “Want to move?”
They glance at each other and laugh. The one on the right says, “Have you lost your marbles, girl?”
“Probably.” Controlled breath. Swallow. You can do this. “Should we find out?”
Eyebrows raised, they ease their stances. “Looky what we have here, Oscar,” Lefty says. “The widdle goil wants to pway.”
Perfect. He’s a jerk. I won’t feel so bad messing with him.
They set their sticks aside and begin to circle me.
I yawn and enter the forest the way we came, though I’ve no clue which way to turn for the front door. I’d nearly forgotten we aren’t really outside. Within the trees, I can almost imagine I’m in some unexplored corner of the Second.