They sigh simultaneously.
I feel like a mannequin in a store window with the way they look and talk about me like I can’t see or hear them.
They’re not wrong. I would run. The first chance I got. Then, I’d take Jeff and Casey somewhere where Bloodhound would never find us. What Caleb and King Dax are wrong about is thinking I’m anything like their hybrid queen, Alaina.
The king’s eyes glaze over, and when they return to normal, he says, “I see she’s not above stabbing you, either, to increase her chances of escaping.”
Caleb chuckles. “I’m well aware, Your Majesty.”
With a hand on his chin, the king’s eyes narrow as he walks toward me. “The question is, how do we keep you from running? What motivates you?” The king circles me. When he disappears behind me, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “What... is... your... weakness?”
I’ve heard of the hybrid king’s abilities, so I try to focus my mind on anything else.
“You should know that avoidance is done with intent. It tells me you’re hiding something. And I have a knack for uncovering the truth.”
I gulp.
He taps the inside of my foot with his, and I spread my legs shoulder-width apart. “Fetch me that torch over there.”
Caleb looks from the king to me and groans softly. Although reluctant, he does as he’s told.
The king holds it to my face and heat licks beneath my chin as the flame nears my neck. Caleb’s expression makes his fear known. And if he is, shouldn’t I be? No stranger to pain, I’m calm, unafraid. My door has always been open to death at any time.
I don’t budge, or even flinch. There are worse things to fear than being alive enough to feel. In fact, it’s the only time Idofeel alive.
Caleb, on the other hand, takes a step forward, his eyes glowing gold. Probably afraid that the king will take away his only shot at vengeance.
The king snaps his fingers at Caleb. “Hey, hey! Focus.”
Caleb rolls out his neck and shoulders. His eyes return to their normal color. But every time the king gets close to touching me, a gold hue swirls.
Odd. A little territorial over your prey there, buddy?
“Interesting...” the king says. With his focus on me, he holds the weapon in Caleb’s direction.
Caleb shuffles forward and eagerly takes it from him, then steps back.
“So, pain doesn’t motivate you...” the king mutters to himself.
“Quite the opposite. She gets off on it.” Caleb smirks.
My jaw drops, horrified. I shut it quickly, not wanting to give anything away in case the king didn’t pick up on it. I bug my eyes out, giving Caleb a “shut up” look.
He peers at Caleb like he wants further clarification, then shakes his head. “Hmm... Then what does?”
I’m silently hoping Caleb doesn’t bring up Casey. When he doesn’t, I wonder why he wouldn’t. He wants my compliance just as much as the king does. I conclude it may be considered an insult to the king’s intelligence and ability to figure it out himself.
“Power? Fortune? Necessities?” the king rambles off. “No... That’s not it. Man, I could’ve sworn that would’ve been it. You come from nothing. I figured you could want for everything.”
I shoot Caleb a reserved look as if to say “I told you so.”
“Your motivation isn’t intrinsic. Therefore, it must be extrinsic...” He trails off. “Perhaps a loved one?”
I gulp.
Think of something else. Think of something else.But at my intention to think of something else, I’m showing avoidance, and it’s too late. He picks up on this.
He grins. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
