Chapter 121
She looks first at me and then at Elarx. Her gaze is sad and her flames remain dim, as they were before–not their usual bright red
“Have you found anything out!” Lask.
She shakes her h
head slowly.
“There must be someone who knows a way to bring her back.
“No one is known to have a gift like yours” She jumps from the flame and hops until she’s near Elara
“And no one like her is known either. I knew she was special from the first time I didn’t imagine how much. She is the person your mother hoped
for you
“Not the time to talk about that, Ank.
She wants to continue–her mouth is open to
ʼn to argue—until the loud banging of the doors slamming against the wall silences her. I snap to my feet. knocking her to the floor in the process 1hbarely have time for anything before Ciro Amery bursts into my room.
What the hell are you doing here?” I bark.
His arrogant smile has never annoyed me as much as today. He shows those perfect teeth before answering triumphantly:
“I’ve come
for my new satiator
At first I stay silent–not for long. The laugh escapes me in torrents. Ciro frowns, saying nothing, allowing me
g me my moment.
“You must be on some hallucinogenic mushrooms if you think 111 let you have one of my satiators.”
oh,
this won’t be just any- I want
an ber
He points with his chin to Elar, who doesn’t flinch at his words. I can imagine what she would’ve done if she were healthy–she’d have sat up abruptly, throwing her hands up and screaming, probably cursing both of us, insisting she isn’t a possession.
“Over my dead body”
“I’d prefer not to ruin my favorite vest,” he says boastfully-“here you go
“What’s this?” I pick up
up the paper with two fingers, as if it were
plague–ridden.
The clause in the Treaties that guarantees me the right to compensation and authorizes me to claim Elara. Also–consent from the rest of the Committer
I scan the words quickly; to be honest, they dance in front of me as nervousness runs through my body.
“Nonsense.” I slam the paper against his chest. “I won’t let you take her–choose someone else.”
“Just like you chose someone else when I begged you?”
“Your reasons aren’t mine- I saved her. You don’t want to see it, but she was playing you, she never
“Thad to see it myself, not you.” He raises his chin and puffs out his chest in confidence,
“Now tell me—what would you give for her!”
“What do you want?
“Beg me. beg for her, on your knees.”
loves you.”
Ank, still in the room, gasps in surprise. I fix Ciro with a look that promises deaths, while I think of my options. Heg on my knees for a human? I would never have done that. Never–until now. I clerich my fists and hite my tongue as I drop to my knees. I lift my gaze, determined not to bow my head
“Don’t take ber. Take someone clue, but not her.
r
“Why What does she mean to you?”
“That’s not the deal”
“Alright.” He clicks his tongue. “Which of my gardens do you think Elara will like! I need to choose which quarters to give her
12:26 PM ď ď
Chapter 121
I grit my jaw
me want to be better, makes me find mercy, because I
“Because she’s the only one who isn’t afraid of the monster I am! Damn, because she makes me think I could love her!
The silence that follows is almost suffocating. It lasts long enough to shelter hope–and then it vanishes the moment I see his smug grin again.
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