I felt my entire face frown.I was likable.I knew how to make friends, even if I didn’t usually like the friends I made.But that was only because people on the whole weren’t all that great, and I’d always had Teo.I just didn’t make friends with targets I was ordered to exterminate.
“Fine,” she said.“Let’s make conversation.Where are we going?What are you planning on doing once we get there?And why does it seem like we might be heading to Castle Hawxfure?”
“Castle Hawxfure?”I said, in my very best affectation of innocent surprise.“Why would you think we’re going there?”
She leaned back onto the higantorus’ glossy back.Crossed one leg over the other.It was one of her typical poses.
“Oh, maybe because we circled the entire eastern and then southern half of Salvest.”The continent that used to be Zaraga.“Cut through the Moaning Ocean and are heading straight toward the Adest continent.”The continent that was once two kingdoms: Lingdon and Asurra.“You don’t seem like we’re going to be disembarking soon, or you wouldn’t stop gabbing about how we’re about to get off this ‘horrid monster.’And the only place past Adest is Castle Hawxfure.Unless you mean for me to believe we’re heading for the end of the world?A one-way trip down the Etherly Falls?”She smirked.“Did you escape your supposed abductor only to kill yourself now?”
Supposed!The bitch … I hadn’t told her any details about my captivity.
“Yeah.I didn’t think so.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“Shocking news.”
“So, to answer the real question you were asking, I’m not stupid.”
Evidently.
“I told key officers who you are and that I plan to escort you back to prison.”
“You told Rafaela you’re not here to try to arrest me.”
“I’m sure if I wait long enough, you’ll violate the dominion in such a way that I’ll be justified in bringing you to justice.It won’t matter who you used to be.And it especially won’t matter who you are now.Your family used to be something.Not anymore,Princess.In the empire, you’re nothing.”
Though I hadn’t planned to, I rose, immediately crouching a little to keep my balance atop the beast’s back.“Well, we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?”
“Where are you going?”
“Wherever I damn well please.”
She uncrossed her legs.Sat up.“Then I’m coming with you.”
“No you fucking aren’t.I’m going to feed.”Actually, I was goingsomewhere else, where I’d probably train.Move my body, move with my blades, get used to this ridiculous costume that kept getting in my way.Maybe do some reading afterward.
She paled, her skin pasty in contrast to her fluorescent hair.
I grinned.“Wouldn’t want you to pass out again from the ‘gruesome sight,’ now would we?”
If there was even a single sänglure aboard a ship—now a higantorus—there were feeders on board for them too.
The higantorus and shadowrays weren’t the only monsters around.
The only difference between us was that they’d been born monsters.
I’d been transformed into one.
Sixteen days left to kill Cosette, find my way into the castle, and end Alobaz.
I’d risen to greater challenges, hadn’t I?
I would do it again.
Teo was counting on me.
