Chapter 5 #2
My brow raises. She must have set up some kind of magical sound shield.
I suppose that explains the lack of secrecy for this dinner. Why bother with dark, secret meeting spots when you can use magic to stop anyone else from listening in?
Need turns to Leon. “Do use the leash to ensure these words don’t leave this room.”
He jumps into action, like a lapdog eager to please his mistress. “Vivian, you will not say a word about what you hear within the inner circle.” He says it with authority, like using a magical leash to control my actions is an accomplishment.
Weak flex, bro.
The others at the table don’t seem surprised to hear about my leash. But then again, Lilanthara said Need’s inner circle was coming, so I guess these people have already discussed my imprisonment in detail.
Need turns to me, politician’s smile back in place.
“Vivian, this is my inner circle. Leon mentioned you’ve already met Rydon, my captain of the guard, and here we have Lilanthara, our esteemed Creator, and this is Nymara.
My–” she pauses, like she’s not happy at needing to utter the word, “daughter.”
My jaw drops. Need has a daughter? I glance at the quiet girl, but nothing in her body language is saying ‘related to the ruler of the realms.’ She’s hunched over, like she’s trying to make herself as small as possible, and her simple black cotton dress is entirely at odds with what everyone in the castle wears. Even the servants wear silks.
Need gives a long-suffering sigh. “Yes, quite surprising, is it not? Despite her excellent pedigree, Nymara has proven to be a complete disappointment. Why, she’s so weak, she’s practically mortal. So, I’m sure you see why I cannot be affiliated with her. Still, she has her uses.”
I nod, even though I’m still not following why she’s bothering to tell me any of this.
“Given you have proven yourself untrustworthy, my inner circle will be responsible for watching over you when Leon is needed elsewhere,” Need explains.
Ahh, now this meeting makes sense. This is my introduction to the babysitter’s club from hell.
Actually, I went to hell, and Hades was great. I don’t want to associate his realm with these people.
“Nymara will be your primary guardian, since Lilanthara and Rydon have important duties to attend to. However, when Lilanthara is available, I want you to spend time with her. She is the example of what it is to be a Creator. You will emulate her in all you do.” Need’s air of authority only grows.
I don’t miss the slight flash of disappointment in Rydon’s gaze.
The dead man walking wants to have a playdate? Perfect.
I don’t care that I have a million problems to solve right now. Leon only said I couldn’t hurt him. That means Rydon is fair game.
Lilanthara looks annoyed by the announcement, but Need moves along, clearly finished with the subject.
Need turns to Leon. “I trust she’s obeying?” She asks, taking a sip from her goblet.
“She’s adjusting,” Leon hedges. “She’s always been willful, but I believe I’ve found the proper motivation it will take to train her. She will settle into her role.” He lays on his assurances with an easy confidence.
My hands fist under the table. Leon already calls me his pet, so of course, he talks about me like I’m a naughty dog he’s brought home.
Need purses her lips like she’s just tasted something sour. She’s lost the Elsa-braid today, and instead, her hair falls pin straight down her back. I can’t place what realm she might be from. Other than her opaque white eyes, there aren’t many tells.
“I’m sure you understand the position you’re in, Vivian.
Nothing has changed since we brought you here.
If you try to escape, I will annihilate the Mortal Realm and lay siege to the Shadow Realm.
So, I suggest you listen closely as I explain your duties,” Need warns as she daintily picks up her fork and steak knife and starts to cut into the massive slab of red meat on her plate.
“The role of a Creator is simple. They are the embodiment of all goodness and light. They usher in new eras of greatness and are revered by the citizens of the Otherworld. However,” she adds, emphasizing the word, “you are a Creator in name only. We will be appointing you a Keeper shortly, but they will be under strict orders not to allow you to use your power.”
A small wave of relief washes over me. Even though I didn’t think it was possible for Leon to be my Keeper, having it confirmed settles at least one of my lingering fears.
Still, I can’t help but wonder why the hell she turned me into a Creator if she has no plans to use me.
There are definitely easier ways to control people. The thought has me frowning.
Need catches my reaction and smirks. “Oh, never fear, I have much bigger plans for you.”
Well, that sounds ridiculously foreboding.
I look at Leon, wondering if he has any idea what she’s going on about, only to find him sitting back in his chair with his arms crossed in a cocky gesture.
He definitely knows, and his expression is only freaking me out more.
Rydon gives Leon a knowing grin. Lilanthara eats her meal without reaction, and Nymara’s face looks a little green.
My stomach clenches. I would very much like to be voted off this island.
“But, for the time being, you are to be a figurehead,” Need continues.
“You are nothing but a pretty ball of fluff on Leon’s arm.
You will always present yourself as such, taking care to act with decorum and grace.
Over the coming weeks, we will be meeting with other Council members to discuss our plans moving forward.
You will ease any concerns they have about where your loyalties lie. ”
It takes a concentrated effort not to scoff at her instructions, and I stab my fingernails into my palms, hoping the pain will help me look serious.
The pain isn’t enough, though, and Need’s eyes narrow slightly. “I assumed you would have trouble embracing your new reality. But I believe I can erase any lingering thoughts you have about acting in any manner that does not reflect the values of a Creator.”
I frown, wondering what else she could possibly threaten me with.
Need stands as she notes, “For instance, Creators do not speak to the servants, and they certainly do not ask questions that do not concern them.”
She moves a few feet from the table, and the sound of her footsteps immediately disappears. I assume she must be out of the silencing shield. The dread that has been steadily pooling in my gut starts to boil when she snaps her fingers, and Kenzie pads into the hall.
Kenzie is a spy?
But the small stab of betrayal evaporates when I take in how frightened she looks.
Oh, no.
I shove away from the table to try and stop whatever is about to happen, only for Leon’s voice to stop me short.
“Sit and watch,” he orders.
The mental leash snaps, and I sink back in my chair, unable to look away.
It feels like I’m watching them in slow motion.
Need is saying something to Kenzie, but I can’t hear them through the shield.
Kenzie’s horrified eyes find mine as something flashes behind her.
Her frightened expression freezes as a spurt of bright red liquid sprays across the room.
Blood.
It dribbles down her chest, and the light slowly fades from Kenzie’s eyes.
Need takes a step back, still holding her steak knife, which is now dripping blood onto the floor. It stains her white robes, the floors; it’s everywhere.
Kenzie falls to the ground, twitching once before her movements still completely. The scent of iron fills the room.
No one says a word. The only sound is the thudding of my heart.
She’s dead.
Need walks through the pool of blood, looking completely unbothered as she returns to her seat. She cuts a slice of meat with the same bloody knife and daintily pops it into her mouth.
My scream is lodged in my throat. The leash is stopping me from letting it out.
There’s a ringing in my ears.
She’s dead.
She tried to help me, and now she’s dead.
Someone else is dead because of me.
“Vivian, do pay attention,” Leon instructs, and the leash snaps yet again, forcibly drawing my focus back to the others. Everyone else is unfazed, and they continue eating.
“As I was saying, we have grand plans for you, Vivian,” Need continues, as if the last two minutes didn’t just happen. She looks annoyed when she notices my hands clenched under the table. “It’s good manners to eat when you are invited to dinner.”
I blink at her, wondering how she expects me to eat when I can smell death.
Leon frowns at my untouched plate. “Eat. All of it.”
The leash tugs. The food tastes like ash.
“What is your report on Sin and the darkling?” Need asks, sounding mildly interested.
I think I might be in shock, but the question has my breath catching in my throat.
“Will he be a problem?” Rydon asks, raising a brow.
Leon leans back against his chair. “We made it abundantly clear that Vivian is choosing me.”
I almost choke, and try to hide my reaction with a cough before reaching for my water. Leon is either way more delusional than I thought, or he's straight-up lying to Need. Both options seem equally likely.
Leon gives me a slight glare. “Still, he refuses to let her go. He noted he’ll be back in two weeks to collect her.”
As the words leave his mouth, his stare takes on that familiar, feral possessiveness, causing an involuntary shudder to roll through me. Leon’s worst trigger, by far, is hearing that I don’t belong to him.
Need is quiet as she leans forward on the table, resting her elbows on the edge to clasp her hands together. I’m waiting for her to blow up or at least tell Leon that they’ll discuss this latest development when I’m out of earshot.
Instead, she gives me a calculated, but no less wicked, smile.
“Well then, it seems we need to move up the date of your wedding. The union will take place in two weeks’ time. I’ll ensure Morgana and Sin receive their invitations. I look forward to their visit.”