Of course I know. You’ve seen it, too. My one and only desire is claiming vengeance for my family’s death.
It’s the wrong answer. But it’smytruth.
The ugly truth, the only thing that matters to me. The truth for which I’ll do anything, sacrifice anyone.
An entitled brat who uses everyone she can to get ahead.Kazh was right. That’s why her words cut so deep.
I’m not worthy to be the next Ezkai General, I know it better than anyone.
Yet, I want it still.
The presence scoffs. The scent of regret is bitter. You’re wrong, but you’re right.
I’m confused.What the fuck does that mean?
A cackle in my mind makes me shiver.You’re right. You’re not worthy. Not yet. You’re wrong. About the true intention of your heart.
I’m baffled. How can I be wrong aboutmyintentions and desires when that’s all I’ve been thinking about all this time?
Desire for revenge is the only thing that keeps me going. It’s the reason I went through all the trouble of escaping Wetra, graduating from the Ezkai Academy, and joining the Order of Ezkai.
I’m so lost.
Your relentless passion and resilience can be your superpower. Or it can be your downfall. Which one will it be, Phoenix Wildarrow?
I don’t understand. How can you say revenge is not what I truly desire?
The voice purrs in my mind.Because I see all. I’m not blinded by mortality, by the mundane. I ask again—what is the true intention of your heart?
I don’t know!I scream at the presence in my mind.I already told you what I know!
It tsks and it makes me want to recoil. After a pause, it asks,Would you like to know, though?
The question makes me pause and wonder. If revenge for my family is not the true intention of my heart, and I have no clue what is…shouldn’t I want to figure it out?
But what if that means leaving vengeance behind? I’m not ready to do that.
Of course the presence hears the dialogue in my mind. It chuckles, thoroughly amused by my inner struggle.
Child, child, child,it purrs.You got it all wrong. Desire for vengeance is your fuel. It can be your superpower, or your downfall. You choose. Which one will it be?
Nothing this thing says makes fucking sense.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath to try and tame the anger, the frustration that rises inside me. When I peel my eyes open, I’m startled. If I still had my voice, I’d scream.
In front of me is a creature like none I’ve ever seen. The body of a massive black snake with the face of a beautiful young man. Jax. Familiar mischief flickers in his dark gaze. A corner of his mouth curves up and the voice in my head says,Play with me.
Amm…uhh, what does that mean?
I’m not sure I want to know.
Let’s play a game. It’s called This or That,it tells me inside my mind.The rules are simple. I give you two choices, and you choose.
I don’t think I have a choice whether I want to play or not.
The presence chuckles.You always have a choice, child. As long as you don’t mind the consequences that come with that choice.
Okay, okay. Let’s play this game.
