Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
Opening my eyes, I feel as if a fog has been lifted—but not entirely.
There are still blind spots, sections that are missing to create a narrative far from the truth.
But it’s the start of a clear mind. I’m so tired of everything being fuzzy, bits and pieces of time missing from my memory.
Like I go to sleep and wake up in a completely different area of the realm, no knowledge of how I got there. It could make a person go mad.
Seeing Kallie, even if it was a world imagined behind my eyes, was like a saving grace.
There was a split second I felt the power of whatever they’ve been dosing me with trying to take root.
It was coaxing me, whispering victory and glory into my ear to get me to succumb, but as soon as I saw her standing in the field, looking the epitome of peace, the trajectory of those promises got thrown off track.
She was absolutely breathtaking, and even then, I felt lighter.
Holding her close was like coming home. But I could see it in her eyes, in the way she looked at me with disgust and betrayal.
Even that isn’t a memory I wish to be erased, because it reminds me there’s still hope for us, even if she doesn’t believe it now.
With other memories coming back in waves, the hold the treatments had on me is slowly dissipating, chased away by power I wasn’t aware I carried.
I’m going to relish in their downfall, because this wasn’t part of the plan.
Infiltration, trust, and takedown. That was the premise, anyway.
I thought I’d done my part in playing the obedient pet the king wanted—needed.
But I guess I didn’t take into account his trust issues.
The idea that he would make me one of his test subjects wasn’t part of this charade.
And that miscalculation could cost me everything.
But now, I’m in too deep. It’s too soon to show my cards now, so for the time being, they need to continue to believe I’m on their side.
There’s no telling what they would do if they thought I was compromised, especially if they take into account all the treatments 306 has injected me with over the past days.
Because according to them, to the research, there’s no way it shouldn’t be working.
The forest floor is damp, and if I had been in any other clothes, it would’ve soaked right through, chilling me to the bone. Sitting up, the grass wets my palm, and I use the heel of the other to rub my eye, wiping away the remnants of sleep that cling on for dear life.
Rustling to my left pulls my attention, and naturally, it causes my guard to rise.
Inky black becomes visible along my veins as my shadows sit steady, ready to attack if necessary.
But they quickly recede once I see it’s 306 stumbling out from behind the bushes.
He notices the onyx tentacles shrinking back but doesn’t say anything.
Instead, he holds my stare, his eyes holding a mixture of guilt and panic, like he wasn’t expecting me to be awake.
Interesting.
I cock my head to the side curiously, analyzing his body language, and it’s quite telling. It would seem like he was coming back from doing something Ambroyss wouldn’t be pleased about. I decide to keep those thoughts to myself and let him spew out whatever lie he’s already preparing to sell me.
“Morning,” I rasp, standing up like I didn’t notice anything.
But inside, rage swirls with a vengeance, begging to be set free.
But I rein it in, controlling my anger even though I want nothing more than to kill him where he stands.
He should be fucking petrified, praying to whatever god is listening that all this works out in his favor. But he has no idea he’s already lost.
“I wasn’t expecting you to be awake so soon,” he admits.
Why? Intending on injecting me one more time before starting the day, to make sure I was an obedient pet?
I wonder. I had let him get the upper hand on me, and that won’t happen again.
As long as I play along, giving him the impression that nothing has changed, everything should be fine.
I keep my features cool, not giving away even the slightest tick of my jaw. He’s hiding something, and I fully intend on figuring out what it is.
“Hard to sleep, considering the circumstances.” There’s an awkwardness in the air, but I refrain from speaking on it, knowing he can’t suspect a thing or else this could all go sideways.
Last night, I’d gotten through to Kallie—at least, I think I did.
There was some sort of understanding, and I pray she believed me.
But I think the little stunt 306 pulled—causing me to turn on her against my will—had to rebuild some of those bricks.
Now it’s just a matter of reaching her without him knowing.
Then I remember. How could I forget? Something so simple but so special sitting right in the back of my mind. The bond that tethers Kallie and I together rests fully intact, calling me to use it. I don’t change my facial features, not wanting to give anything away.
“Kallie.” I don’t know why I whisper. It’s not like 306 can hear inside my head, but something about it seems secretive, forbidden.
I wait a few seconds, but nothing comes back.
I wouldn’t blame her if the connection was closed on her end, but I leave mine wide open, just in case curiosity gets the best of her.
I let out a heavy sigh. “We should get going. We’re burning precious daylight.” 306 agrees instantly. We’ve only walked a few paces before a distant crack sounds behind us. Both of us are on high alert, whipping around to be met with only a vastly empty space.
But that doesn’t mean anything. My eyes scan the area, noting every rock, every blade of tall grass to find the abnormality.
But the area remains quiet, the only movement from the tips of the grass swaying in the wind.
We almost turn around, but the creature jumps high in the air, nearly catching us off guard.
306 and I jump out of the way in opposite directions, tucking and rolling in order to pop back up on our feet.
In unison, we turn around, not giving the beast our back.
Demicrogen. The beasts that should be confined to Mortis Regnum.
Instantly, I want to point the finger at 306.
What are the odds that 306 was doing something he clearly shouldn’t have been—judging from his look when he returned—and now we’re being attacked?
I don’t believe in coincidences. Not only is it strange to see one out in the open, but also seeing one in broad daylight is so beyond the normal.
Demicrogens thrive in darkness, in the shadows, lurking to attack their prey.
Needless to say, nothing about this attack seems typical.
The creature screeches in my direction, hunkering down on all fours. Its jaw snaps, saliva flinging out between its razor-sharp teeth. My shadows don’t hesitate, stretching out from my back, ready to defend.
306 doesn’t appear to be the least bit frightened. Maybe that’s because he knew it was coming, or he’s helped create creatures far more terrifying than this one.
“How did it escape?” I call out, not moving a muscle.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” I doubt that. The creature doesn’t even appear to notice 306, its yellow beady eyes never wavering from me.
It lunges at me with intent. My shadows lash out, swatting it with force. The beast flings to the side but quickly regains its footing. 306 moves closer to me, but still the Demicrogen doesn’t pay him any mind.
Not waiting for another attack, I push my power toward it, wrapping the inky tentacle around its throat and tightening, hoping to sever it clean off. It slices through my hold with its talons, and with a shake of its head, it is right back to being laser focused on my movements.
What is this thing on?
Balling my fists at my sides, I bring my hands together, forming a ball of onyx in my palms before it forms into a sword. In my peripheral, I catch 306 eyeing me curiously before his gaze drops to the sword swimming in shadows.
“How did you—” he starts, but I interrupt.
“Can you keep your head on and help me kill this thing?” I shout. “Its attention isn’t wavering from me. I’ll distract it. You go behind it and end this.” My instructions are clear, but he doesn’t seem to be moving.
I grunt in frustration and charge the beast, slashing the sword in front of me, hoping to cut its head off, but it ducks beneath my attack. Whirling around, the blade spins in the same direction, and I send it flying. It barely nicks its arm, and I swear it almost laughs at my futile attempts.
“If you’re not going to help, be on the lookout for more.
” That’s another thing about the odd encounter.
There’s only been one, but normally Demicrogens travel in groups.
So where are the rest of them hiding? 306 doesn’t answer, so against my better judgment, I look over my shoulder, only to find him running in the opposite direction.
Immediately, I think another popped up, and he’s running for his life.
Cowardly for sure, but it would make sense, given the circumstances.
But when I find the surrounding area clear, it begs the question: Why is he running?
It was a mistake—looking over my shoulder. It nearly cost me my life.
The Demicrogen seizes its opportunity, pouncing on me and pinning my arms at the side of my head. I push up, trying to get the upper hand, but it counteracts my strength. The snapping jaws come so close to my face—too close—its tongue snaking out to sneak a taste.