Page 156 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

Chapter 31

Soul Sucker (For You Only)

LUCIAN

A Folk, an Armanthine, and a Lucent form an efficacious trinity. One can see the past, the other the present, and the final the future. It is well advised that every leader has one of each at their disposal.

— THE WRITTEN WORDS ON SOMAN GOVERNING AS TOLD BY PRESCOTT AIBEK

You wouldn’t send your strongest unit,” Yuki says. “Not at first.”

Mr. Ickehart’s stone-cold face shifts slightly. “Why wouldn’t you send your strongest soldiers?” He’s looking at me now.

In our mock battle, we are defending the Great Sea in Soma, the strongest body of water in Elysia. As with all of these mock wars, we are fighting the Nepenthe—who have barely a fraction of the population of Soma.

“To move yourself from defense to offense,” I answer. “You use your weakest soldiers as collateral, tiring the enemy before sending in your best for the kill.”

That stone-cold face smiles—I know what he thinks, have heard it many times before, you’ll make a fine king. “Fine” meaning ruthless.

He pushes forward gray pieces on the battle board—gray representing the lieutenants: the soldiers who have seen the least battle.

“If it’s the Nepenthe you face, you can wear them out quickly by forcing them to play their hand.” He goes on saying what we all know—they tire quickest of the orphia—when Olwen steps into the room.

I expect him to come to me, but he stops in front of Kai, then waits by the door while Kai pulls his pack on. I do the same, following behind him. Kai looks at me, only to scowl, and doesn’t say a thing.

“You’re not called to Soma, Prince Lucian,” Olwen says, using my title in front of the other prince.

“Not a bother,” I say. Lilac is awake, it’s the only reason Kai would be called to my kingdom. I have to be there. “I’ll be joining.”

Olwen frowns and says nothing. Kai doesn’t look at me as we go to the foramen room and portal to Soma. The bite of the air makes Kai shiver. Olwen and I are more than used to the bitter cold.

Depositing us in front of the room where I’d last seen Lilac, the look in Olwen’s eyes is an apology.

“Lucian,” Lilac’s voice quivers. She strains, but her body barely budges. Something is restraining her. “Lucian,” it’s more of a whimper than a word.

I walk right through the electrical barrier and to the side of my sister. Indigo energy hums around her—they’ve restrained her body with the same power that locks her in the room. Her head is facing the ceiling, but her eyes swivel.

Her voice cracks on every word as she says, “I can’t move.”

Looking at Kai, I say, “Get her out of this!”

He shakes his head, his eyes growing wide with concern I knew he had. They glow indigo as each of our parents appear behind him.

We’re only missing Calista.

“Take down the barrier, son,” Easton says, almost sounding like Labyrinth. Kai does not do so much as turn to his father.

He gives me a look that’s almost an apology. Then he lifts his hand, and I can see the growing tension in his face as the barely visible indigo light tugs its way into his now-shaking hand. Out of breath and falling over, his hands go to his knees to hold him up.

The kings and queens step inside the small room.

“No,” Lilac cries. “No!” her voice is barely strong enough to shout. “Let me out!” I can tell she’s thrashing against the holds, yet her body barely budges. Her eyes move down, pinning on Lusia. “Mother! Mother, please!” Tears fall from the corners of her eyes. “I love someone, Mom,” she whimpers. “Please.” Lusia’s face stays stone. “Father! Father do something!”

“Son,” King Easton says. The dissension is readable on Kai’s face. We both know who she loves, and when he looks at me, I know he’s thinking of his sister.

He steps forward, a foot from me, holding one of Lilac’s hands without being shocked. Kai’s arm shakes from the pulsations of the magic. “Kai, please!”

“I told you she’d be a pain,” Queen Melody mumbles.

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