Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Father gave them seemingly everything they had asked for, and then Isa watched the girl walk out as if she had won. Even though Father had played them like a fiddle.
Isa slunk inside, closing the door behind her. “Father,” she said with a bow.
“What have I told you about Kerrigan Argon?”
Isa’s face went carefully blank. “I didn’t kill her.”
He looked at her state of dress and scoffed. “It doesn’t appear as if you could have killed her.”
“I could have.”
“Isa, you need to know your limitations. I have a plan for Kerrigan. I have a plan for you. Let my vision unravel, undeterred.”
“She was at our meeting,” she argued. “I had to make a show of scaring her.”
He shot her another look that only Isa, who had measured all of his looks, knew was dangerous. “You are nearly in violation of my direct orders, daughter.”
She swallowed. “I wouldn’t.”
He twirled his hand dismissively. “Let us retreat. I tire of this mask.”
She nodded easily, happy for the change of subject. It wasn’t until they were carefully ensconced in his Row home that he finally removed the red metal mask that covered his features. It was a special design that molded to his face and couldn’t even be removed in death. His identity would go with him to the grave.
She had been a baby when she was brought to the Father. She had known him as the doting father long before he sent her to train. Before she met Valia and gained a sister. And thus, she was the only one to see him like this.
“You seem weary, Father,” she said obediently.
His eyes were sharp as he settled into his desk overlooking the large bay window out to the Row beyond. “I have too much to do to be weary. Fetch me a drink and then change your clothes. You’re dripping water on the rugs.”
It took all of her training to school her features to not react. “Yes, Father.”
When she returned with his drink, his eyes were distant as he surveyed the empty Row. She set the drink down, but he reached for her wrist.
“Sit a moment.”
She blinked once in confusion and then took the seat beside him.
“I have lived hundreds of years. I have fought for what is right and seen it crumble time and time again. I will not lose this time,” he said evenly. He gestured to his face. “I have lived this life long enough. It will be a relief to put aside this identity.” His eyes swept hers. “Do you understand?”
“You are ready to come into the light.”
“Yes. It is time to put aside this facade,” he said, his gaze returning to the street, where his colleagues and peers lived. “Master Bastian will be no more.”
Isa nodded, a slow dangerous smile sliding onto her face. “Good. I am ready.”
10
THE PLAN
Kerrigan barely slept.
Every time she fell asleep, she was either chased by Isa through the streets or, worse, trapped in a nightmare, walking down the aisle to March. By the time she shook herself out of bed, exhaustion tugged at her and all she wanted to do was crawl back into bed. That wasn’t going to be helpful tonight when she met Cleora for spiritcaster training.
“You were seen!”
Kerrigan nearly jumped out of her skin. She reached for her magic on reflex and stumbled out of bed. Then, she saw Valia in her bedchamber and released it all at once.
“Gods, Valia, a little warning.” She slumped forward with her hands on her knees. “How did you even get in here?”
Valia shrugged. “It’s easy.”
“Right. Spy.”
“Yeah, that,” she grumbled. “Anyway, how could you be stupid enough to be seen? I thought I was clear.”
“It wasn’t my fault. And I handled Isa just fine, thank you. Nothing happened.”
Valia pursed her lips. “One day, you’re not going to be able to handle Isa just fine, and all of this will be for naught.”
“Okay, okay,” she said, reaching for a pair of pants and sliding them on her bare legs. “I hear you. It was a mistake.”
“Good. I’m risking my life to work with you, Kerrigan.”
“I realize that. It’s not like my life wasn’t on the line last night. They killed someone on that stage. That could have been me.”
“Then, you understand why we both need to be more careful.”
“I get it. But can we go back to them killing someone? Did you know that was going to happen?”
She shook her head. The honey-blonde of her hair swinging in front of her face. “I had no idea that the Father could strip someone’s magic.”
“How long have you been working for him?”
“That doesn’t matter.” She evaded effortlessly. “What matters is what we do next. I can’t exactly sneak you into another meeting. They’ll be looking for you in the crowd now. If you had remained anonymous, then we could have kept doing this. We need a different plan.”