“Your rage is intoxicating,” he said as he leaned in closer and inhaled the scent of her hair. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll give you information and leave your family unharmed if you promise to get me what I need, yes?”
Her entire body screamed to refuse. She didn’thaveto find whatever it was he wanted her to find. She shouldn’t have to take on the problems of the elementals. She could get out and go home, pack up her family, and move somewhere this man could never find them. Why should she risk her and her family’s lives?
But then she remembered how he’d found her in Lockhurt. How he had walked among her village, her people, her life. She realized how utterly futile it would be to try and run from this vengeful man in front of her; he’d proven he could get to her and those she loved no matter where they went.
Isla twisted her lips and took a deep breath to ground herself. She would have to face the consequences of this decision later.
“Fine.”
His answering smile was positively sinful. “Good girl.” He took his knife out again and brandished it in front of her. “I will need a lock of your hair.”
She blinked. “My—my hair? Why?”
“Would you have me trust you on your word alone?”
“And how will myhairmake you trust me more?” She stepped away.
He chuckled. “It will ensure that you can get me what I want.”
She twisted her lips. “How do I know you won’t use it to—to control me or hurt me?”
That same blue light gleamed in his eyes again.How strange. “Oh, Isla. So little faith. I guessyou’llhave to trustme, won’t you?”
Isla bristled. Yet no matter what brave front she put on, it wouldn’t change the truth: he could get to her family, and that made her his prisoner. “Not a chance. Just give me the knife.”
His lips twitched, but he did as she asked. “You’re not going to stab me, are you, love?”
“I’m considering it,” she mumbled, selecting a section of her hair that was more hidden and cutting off a small piece. She handed it over, the light from the artificial sun catching the copper strands, making it shine a reddish-gold.
He took the hair and reached for the knife in her other hand. She held it away from him, experiencing a rush at the small amount of power she now had. “Not until you tell me why the elementals were summoned to the mountain.”
He didn’t seem frustrated in the slightest by her refusal to return the knife. Instead, he looked amused. Isla watched as his tongue glided over his teeth. “Tell them they need to find the other half of the prophecy.”
Her gaze snapped back to his. “What prophecy?”
“It seems your precious elemental hasn’t told you everything. Interesting.” He twisted her lock of hair around his finger. “There was a prophecy carved into the mountain on Iona that the elementals are already aware of. What they don’t know is that there is a second part somewhere in the mountains of Aataran.”
“Is that all? Some lost prophecy?” It seemed too simple.
“Do not underestimate what this prophecy can do. Words are powerful, love. They can build or destroy, depending on who wields them. And what one chooses to do with this prophecy will make all the difference.”
The earnestness of his tone gave her pause. “Is that what you want me to find for you? This prophecy?” she asked.
“If only it were that easy. Unfortunately, that’s just the first step.”
She let out a disgruntled sigh and chewed on her bottom lip. She felt like they were running in circles. “What’s even the point of all this?”
“What is the point of anything? Power, Isla. The power to make change. To see the kingdoms as they ought to be.”
She tried to imagine a world where someone likehimhad that kind of effect. It made her cringe, made her want to fight back with everything she had.
But not at the expense of her loved ones.
“Do you know what the prophecy says?” she asked.
His lips curled into a smirk. “If you would like the answer to that question, we can make another deal.”
“No, thanks,” she said with a shudder. “If that’s all you’re going to tell me, then send me back.”
