“How do you even know the tome is still there? In the temple?”
“It is. Some sorcerers, if strong enough, can track certain objects and artifacts. Last I checked, it’s still protected in the temple. Trust me, many sorcerers have attempted to go after it, and all of them have failed. I assume none have been able to come anywhere near the tome because the mortal they’ve chosen would instantly back out before reaching the island…or die before even setting eyes on the place. If they have managed to make it there but left without the tome, it’s because it didn’t deem that mortal’s blood worthy enough.”
The mortal they’ve chosen.No, no. I chose him. He didn’t choose me.
I frown as I stare harder at the ground, now gripping my skewer tighter. He should have told me this up front.Whydidn’t he tell me this before?
I meet his eyes. “How much blood is needed?”
“Not much.”
Another cryptic, evasive answer. I narrow my eyes at him. “What if mine isn’t worthy enough, either? Will I die if I offer my blood and it’s rejected?”
“No. It’s been a while since anyone has tried, but I assume those who were rejected probably left the temple just fine. It’s getting off of the island that they most likely didn’t survive. But I’ll make sure that you do.” He pauses as he studies my profile. I look away to stare at the fire, trying not to lose my temper. “I think you come as close to worthy as possible considering all the sacrifices you’ve already made, Zaira.”
“Right.” His flattering words should soothe me, but I find myself growing angrier instead. He even used my first name, but that does nothing for me right now. “So…the morning at the Tilted Crystal when I gave you the coins…you already had this plan in mind?”
I look at him, and he nods, seeming mildly sympathetic now.
Wow. This lying, scheming asshole. “Don’t you think you should’ve mentioned it to me, then? We could’ve made an agreement, considering how desperate I am to reach the temple.” I stand up and throw my skewer stick into the fire, trying not to explode on him in front of all of these people. “You took my money when, in fact, you needed me as much as I needed you. I sold my necklace—the last thing I owned from my mother—so I could get you those coins! Who does that to someone?”
He remains seated, noticing my balled fist and the look of anguish on my face. “I had to be one hundred percent certain that taking such a dangerous journey was what you wanted. You were drunk that night, so I couldn’t go based on that. I told myself if you returned the following morning still wanting to save your sister, that it could work, and that it was possible I could get the tome while we were at it. All I had to do was keep you alive long enough to reach it. A slim chance, yes, but it makes sense to go after it if I have everything I need.”
Finally, the missing puzzle pieces are sliding into place. “That’s what Maliek meant, then.” I gape. “About me being the noble one?”
“He knows what I’m after now. Fortunately, he’ll never be able to get the tome unless I have it in my possession, and I wouldn’t let him come close to it. He’s been chasing me for a very long time.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I stole something from Seferin.”
Great. So is the whole kingdom hunting him? Huntingus?
“And that is…?”
“A crystal. A powerful one that he needs.”
“You stole a crystal, too?” I exclaim. Why the shadows isn’t he locked up in Seferin’s keep like Analla, then? “Do you have it with you?” I ask, scanning him with wary eyes.
“No. I hid it. It’s far away from here.”
“So not only do they want the crystal back, but they now know you’re after the tome?” I glower at him, shaking my head. “Why are you mixed up with Seferin anyway?”
“Many people get mixed up with him, only to realize it was a mistake later. Fortunately, I escaped him. Your sister would know all about what he’s like, considering the situation she’s in.”
I swallow hard, still shaking my head. That I can’t deny, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of agreement.
“It’s easy to fall victim to a wicked fucker like him,” Thane adds.
A woman begins to sing loud and proud behind us on a platform stage, and the villagers cheer. Before long, she begins dancing with a chimp-like beastial. Other people begin to dance, too. Everyone is truly enjoying themselves, oblivious to the storm raging between me and Thane.
“Now I see why you agreed to risk your life to go on this quest with me,” I say, focusing on him again. “It’s not about doing the right thing or helping someone else. It’s all about getting what you want.”
“The only noble thing about this quest is you,” he says, pushing to his feet. “I never indicated otherwise. I haven’t lied to you. Not once.”
“But you withheld the truth. That’s the same thing in my opinion.” I raise my chin to meet his eyes. “Why are you only telling me this now?”
“Would it have made a difference? Would you have decided not to make the journey if you’d known about all this before we left?”
