Page 148 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

“I think I liked you better when you were less sociopathic, Prince.”

He smiles. “And I think I liked you better with your hands on me, Marquees. Or should I say Alpine?”

I turn away. “Screw you!”

“I’d have considered it if you said please,” he sings.

I don’t have a second to think better of myself before I unsheathe a dagger and throw it, just south of his ear. He lifts two fingers and pulls them away, red.

“Sadistic,” he notes.

I smirk and make a clear mockery of his voice when I sing, “Only for you.”

I go to Leiholan for the second time in two days. It’s like the universe has flipped itself inside out.

“You know I only have so many hours of free time in my days, and you’re starting to take way more than your share.” That’s how he greets me.

“How well do you know the headmistress?” I ask him while staring at the bullseye across the room.

“Not well.”

“Then why were you with her and Hogan when I showed up?” I thought they were all close.

“Coincidental.” He shrugs.

“No, no way. Don’t lie to me, Leiholan, you are literally the last person in this universe I trust right now.” Please, don’t lie to me.

“I’m truly touched that you trust me, sweetheart, but I’m telling you the truth.” He leans back and rests his hands behind his head. “You ever think about why I’m the only person you have left?”

“Because you’re the only one who didn’t run.” I shake my head. Pointless, this is pointless.

Leiholan chuckles. “Or, for your consideration, because I’m the only one you didn’t lie to.”

I raise a finger at him. “That’s not what this is about.” I lied to you too.

His bottom lip pouts and he looks around the room. “Oh, it’s not? Please, tell me why you’re alone. I’d love to hear what story you’ve cooked up.”

“Hm, well, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re all a bunch of pompous assholes!”

Leiholan leans forward again. “Do you ever stop and think,” he shrugs, raising his hands, gesturing toward me, “that maybe you’re the problem.”

“What is wrong with you!” I shout. “My fake best friend thinks I should just let them kill me because of where I’m from, I’m pretty sure—” I stutter, “Lucian wants me dead, and the headmistress is screwing with my mind! But somehow I’m the problem?”

“What did Cynthia do?” All humor is wiped from his expression.

Without me, your gift will be your undoing.

“Honestly? I have no idea.” I take a breath and another. “We had this weird conversation, and then in the middle of it I woke up in my room. Aralia told me I slept for a whole day and I went back to her and she just…” shaking my head, I say, “It wasn’t a dream.”

“Desdemona,” he whispers. His expression is serious. “Stay away from her at all costs.”

My eyes narrow, his are still wide. “You said you didn’t know her.”

“I don’t. Not personally. I do know that she’s mixed up in something dark. Has been since I got here. I don’t trust her, and you shouldn’t either.”

I cross my arms. Something dark is exactly the thing that I’m mixed up in. “Still think I’m the problem?”

“I think you have a lot of problems, and only one of them is who you are.” He stands up.

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