Page 138 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

Not for me, at least.

“This blood on my hands is only half mine. Remember that.”

Perhaps she does have the higher ground because when she leaves, I’m wishing she took her words that I fear are all too true.

* * *

With all other options either exasperated or nonexistent, I go to Calista, who is nothing short of dispirited to see me. She pulls me into her room and says, “Is Lilac harmed?” Her wavering eyebrows and widening eyes say it all.

Yes, she is, if for no reason other than being locked in a room at the hands of Lusia. “She’s breathing.”

Her head tilts down and her eyes narrow at me. “Then why are you here?”

I look at her door. “Is it soundproof?”

“Of course it is,” she downright snaps.

“Where did you find the map that had the weapons facility marked?”

Calista crosses her arms over her chest. She opens her mouth, seemingly to say something, then chooses to scoff and close it instead.

I don’t bother elaborating, I’ve said all I have to say. I’m assuming she realizes this.

“You’re still chasing tails?”

“It would be best for you if Soman law punished Lorucille before you could be held responsible. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She shifts her weight back and forth. “Lilac would never do that to me.”

“Haven’t you learned there’s nothing more dangerous than a scorned lover?” I keep my voice flat, devoid of emotion so she won’t know she’s right. Lilac would never harm her. Besides, seven years—the time between us and our thrones—is a long time. Who really is to say what could happen? “I’m going to destroy the weapon, not your family.”

“Remember when you said this could get us out of our marriages?” She scowls. “Look at you now. I’d almost think you’re some kind of sicko who’s excited.”

“It’s never exciting to have your choices taken from you.” If only this ended and began with a forced marriage. “Work with me, Calista. The only thing this weapon could do is revive our strife.”

Not that my motivations are all that decent. I simply don’t want the weapon used in our universe—I want it used against the Arcanes.

“It never died,” she says gravely.

“I know the marriage is hardest for you. Giving you a king of your own world.” A world that holds the king at a higher value than the queen, the men more valuable than the women. The opposite of Soma. “But I was raised a Lucent. I won’t take your autonomy the way our parents have taken ours.”

For a second, I swear her eyes turn glassy. “There’s a tunnel system you can access, three stories below the kingdom’s south wing. On the opposite end of the castle and down another floor, there’s a vault. It’s where we keep everything of priority. Our power source and technology. Secrets.” She shrugs.

Our power source. They’re already using the captivator the Light Folk created. No wonder they’re adamant about it being better than the moons.

“Thank you.” I give her a small bow of my head.

She takes down the pins that are keeping her dirty blonde hair intricately woven around her head. It’s been years since I’ve seen her hair down. “But there are wards, as I’m sure you would expect. Only Contarini blood can enter.” She pulls a jacket over her school uniform, then pulls her hair to cover half her face. “We go now, or not at all.”

“Now it is.”

I follow her through a portal she opens, though it doesn’t lead to the foramen the way mine always do. “Keep your head down,” she whispers. “We only have two halls to get through to reach the entrance. Don’t ruin your plotting by being seen.”

Doing as she says, I duck my head. An oversaturated number of soldiers and warriors pass by as we walk down the second hall. Perhaps the strife has more than revived by now.

Perhaps it’s thriving.

Calista stops at a dead end, and for a moment I believe she’s brought me here for harm until she presses into a seemingly random spot on the stone walls and a small entryway opens up. We enter the dark stairwell, the steps made of no more than ordinary—and dirty—cement. The entryway closes behind us inconspicuously and the only light we have left for the next three sets of stairs comes from a contraption I’ve never seen before. Like fire in a bottle, but it doesn’t burn hot, nor does it destroy whatever glass is holding it in.

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