Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
His face is completely blank of any and every emotion. He simply stares down at me. “You know nothing.”
“All I know is I’m here to find my brother, so I’m going to ignore everything and do it. Now, if you’re done with your weird psychotic ramblings, I’ll just be going.”
His face slowly transforms, a small smile forms on his lips, the same lips I can’t stop staring at no matter how hard I try.
Again, he’s messing with my head.
He’s not Ra.
None of what he said is real. It was a nightmare.
And that anklet’s some sort of weird trick from a magic shop. Just an anklet that knows how to reattach itself to its owner.
There’s always an explanation, right?
Logic always wins.
I force a smile I really don’t feel. “Apep found traces of him, and like I said he’s been really helpful so I’m waiting on more information, but the good news is he’s alive.”
“Missing off the coast of Washington. How interesting.” His eyes search mine like he’s trying to read me like a book. “I wonder…” He leans in. “…where most people go, when they’re missing.”
“Let me guess,” I say in annoyance. “The mountains?”
He taps me on the nose and smirks. “Not as dumb as she looks.”
“Not as hot as he thinks.” I glare.
He does a double take then bursts out laughing. “Yup, you’re definitely different.”
“Different, good.” I lift my chin. “I’m going to go work.”
Cyrus laughs. “If that’s what you want to call it. Oh, by the way…” He turns around, his eyes impossible to read. “I have something for you before you go to the warehouse.”
My throat’s so dry despite the fact that I’m drinking coffee, and I have no choice but to follow him, the bell ringing with each step.
How has this gotten so crazy in the last few days? And turned into something so psychotic it feels like I’ve taken drugs?
I set down my mug, hands shaking, and follow his massive steps out of the house and toward the giant tree in the yard.
Rat runs toward me, scurrying around Cyrus and jumping on my leg.
“Hey, bud.” I smile for the first time that morning.
Rat does a few circles and then looks over at Cyrus, and I swear the little dude glares.
I laugh but sober instantly.
Cyrus’s hand goes to the tree, his palm presses against it. The normally light bark goes dark and then lights up like Christmas.
What is with me and Christmas today?
Leaves start to fall from the tree, blanketing us in a weird spring silence.
It feels like a funeral.
The air tastes stale, like death.
Cyrus looks over at me and grins. “It’s good to be reminded what you are, and why you are.” He digs his pointer finger into the tree and makes a tally mark, then another, and another.
Until he’s at the number four.
“Five,” he says, “will be tomorrow, then six, seven. I’m sure you know how to count. Do you want to ask me?”
“Ask you what?”
“How many tally marks until the last drop of blood leaves your body? Until your sacrifice is made?”
“You aren’t a god.”
Just a serial killer.
And I’m just the young guest nobody will believe, without family, relying on the man in front of me and one I barely know to help restore what’s been lost.
He laughs, his eyes suddenly flash blue then gold. “Oh princess, I am the god, and you’re mine, you want to find your brother? You want to survive this? You’ll do everything I say and spend the days like you have been.”
Suddenly he’s in front of me, grabbing me by the hair and shoving me against the tree. “Every night, you’ll be mine. That’s the cost. Your blood. Your life. Your body. Your soul. And maybe, I’ll dive down into the depths of this tree and save him.”
Tears burn my eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“Daggon could tell you, maybe even Enki, but really it’s best that it comes from me.” His mouth finds my neck, lips inch up my skin until they caress my ear. “Everything must be sacrificed. I still feel him, his presence, his pulse, but if you don’t give yourself over, then it might disappear.”
I try to shove him.
He doesn’t move.
“What the hell!” I yell. “I’m a person! This is illegal, and you belong in prison!”
He grins, forcefully gripping my chin with his right hand. “It’s good to get reminded of why I do this, of all the reasons I hate it and am going to see it through. You’ll be the last. Count yourself blessed, lucky, whatever you want to call it. The end is coming, and it’s going to be because of you. Don’t worry, though, it’s more fun in the dark. The light is full of lies, after all.” He shoves away from me. “Go read. And remember that it’s a kindness I’m letting you learn so much before the end, think of it as a thank you, I can’t wait to hear ‘Thank You’ fall from those swollen lips. Maybe I’ll reward you again for being so thankful for my kindness.”