Page 209 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

“I’m more than alright to stay up.”

“You need your strength. I’ll wake up at the first sign of trouble.”

* * *

It’s dawn, and the taste of Desdemona is the only thing left in my mouth. I savor it as though she is here. Though, I’m not sure where I am.

“Lucian,” a voice calls, shaking my shoulders again.

I take in my surroundings, the pastel room and the sister in front of me. “Where did you sleep?”

Lilac blushes and looks down. “There’s trouble,” she whispers, and I sit up immediately. “Calista has this necklace, she thinks it’s the Memorium. Out of nowhere it started levitating, and then it was pulled under the door.”

It must be Desdemona’s.

For the first time, I’m relieved she’s not with me.

“Okay.” I get out of bed, strapping a sword that will do no good against an Arcane to my back.

“She said something else, about Desdemona.”

“What was it?” I ask, facing her.

“Melody and Easton have been asking Calista to watch her.”

“Okay.” I head for the door. Our parents must know the Arcanes want her. “Stay here.”

“Where are you going?” Lilac asks.

“I’m going to get Yuki and more weapons.”

Lilac throws on a coat, then her sword over her shoulder. “I’m coming.”

“Straight to my suite,” I tell her.

“Okay, Dad.”

“If anything happens, focus on the fight in front of you.”

“Okay!”

The moment I step into the hallway something feels off. There’s no better way to describe it. I glance at Lilac, looking to see if she feels it as well. There’s nothing registered in her face to tell me she does.

We’re close to the boys’ wing of the school when I see the first sign of life. A student, walking toward us.

Lilac grabs my wrist, stopping me. “Is that Wendy?”

I focus on the silhouette, which is looking more like Wendy by the second. As she approaches, I make out the red of her eyes. “Lilac, run.”

Lilac unsheathes her sword instead. I extend mine before me.

“Oh, my boy, I don’t want to fight you,” Wendy’s voice sings. Both familiar and foreign—the voice belongs to her, though the inflections and tone do not. “I know how skilled you are, and I’d prefer not to kill you.” Wendy walks closer, grabbing one end of the blade.

I flush the familiarity from my body. At least, I try to.

Lilac swings. “Don’t,” I say, too late.

Azaire loved her. We have to try to save her.

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