Page 99 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

“You’ll find one.” She winks, slowly. “You have my undying faith.”

“You sent me after Freyr,” I say. “Is it true to assume you knew of the weapon?”

She smiles lopsidedly. “Yes.”

“And of Isa and Willow’s involvement?”

Cynthia shrugs belatedly. “I keep my tabs.”

“Have you seen the weapon?”

“I have not.”

A dangerous, glorious idea peaks into my mind, not for the first time. “It’s harrowing,” I say flatly. “Originally built to be used against the Arcanes. I think we could use it.”

“Go on,” Cynthia says as she rolls out her wrist.

“This weapon is something of mass destruction. If Desdemona can make it to the void through my vision, or at the very least get information on the weapon, you and I are one step closer to getting there ourselves. Perhaps it could solve all of our problems in one fell swoop.”

Cynthia is smiling fully now. “You’re going to betray your untrustworthy beloved?”

My eyes meet hers. Unwavering. “I’m going to make good on my promise of revenge.”

Chapter 20

It’s Strange How People Can Change

DESDEMONA

There are three main stories as to how the Fire Folk gained the Flame. The most compelling one is that Zola gifted it to them when she foresaw the extinction of the Arcanes.

— WARNING: FORBIDDEN TEXT

In class, I reach for Kai’s power who, for some reason, is sitting on the sidelines. I throw up the basic shield I learned to use last week and block myself from getting electrocuted.

One of the most annoying parts of my life is my power. The only reason I even try is because I know it will help me get to my mom, which would be the saddest part of my life.

“Ms. Marquees!” Ms. Abrams’ shout echoes through the room. “You need to work on the offensive as well as the defensive.”

The class looks at me with fear-stricken eyes. It’s the only look I ever get from these kids. I pretend to be too focused on their stares to notice when Calista’s eyes light yellow in my direction. When I fly across the room and into the hard, marble wall of the school, I wish pain wasn’t always my plan B. Ms. Abrams gives me an annoyed glare, but I’m just grateful I didn’t break my spine while I hobble to Kai and curse the intense pain in my shoulder.

“You know you’ve gotta stop sucking off of me,” he says to me once I’m sitting next to him.

“Oh.” I keep my face relaxed. Of course he knows. He’s a prince, a Contarini. There’s a reason they and the Aibeks are in power—and even the septic knows it. “My apologies, I just don’t really… trust my magic.”

I expect something more, a lecture, a lesson, but Kai just smiles at me. I guess I don’t know him well. “It’s not a big deal to me.” I return his smile before he looks at Ms. Abrams. “It is for her. I’m not sure she hasn’t already put it together.”

“Really?” I say, but I don’t actually care. I only care that these kids stay afraid and away.

“Yeah. Yeah. When you use my magic, the essence that follows it is of a Light Folk. She’ll fail you for that, which means you won’t likely get any fancy government positions.”

I never thought about a fancy government position. I also never thought about failing before. That isn’t how we did school back home. You either showed up or didn’t, participated or didn’t, and in the end it never affected the jobs the Folk got. Education was a privilege, and no one got to move up in position because of how they did in school. There was no moving up in position at all, really. You either welded, mined, packed, or did your very best to survive without the keepers killing you for surviving.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I’m sure doing no magic would be worse. If not for failing, then for the target I would put on my back. “So why are you sitting out?” I ask him after some time spent in silence.

“Calista and I have an event soon,” he says bitterly.

“And only you’re sitting out?”

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