Page 32 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

When I get back to the suite, I change and shower, but I avoid the mirrors just like I avoid all of my fears—like what will happen if I get caught, if he doesn’t agree… what I would have to do if that were the case. I couldn’t very well allow him to leave with the possibility of him repeating my plans. What I’m asking him to do isn’t admissible, and if I were caught, just being septic would be enough grounds for an execution. And what will I say when he inevitably asks me to prove that I know anything from his memories? All I am basing this on is one reaction he had that I couldn’t read very well in the dark.

Maybe I won’t show up. But if I don’t I’m farther away from square one, having already killed someone. Making it more difficult for me to return home.

I put a hand on the wall for balance. That can’t be right, can’t be real. It was one thing to dream of it and another entirely to do it. I killed someone.

I can’t think about it. I need a plan.

Lucian is engaged, so Kai says. They both are. It must not be their decision. So, what do I do with that information?

Fifteen minutes.

This is a bad, bad idea. But it’s the only one I have. The sooner I find my mom, the sooner I can make it back home, back to Damien and Janice like I promised. The sooner I can get my life back. That’s that. There isn’t a choice, I realize, while I pull Aralia’s clean clothes from her closet and over my head.

Then I tug a lace from one of her fancy corset dresses and pull it through my mom’s pendant, tying it around my neck.

When I make it to the lake, he’s sitting on the edge just like the first night. I sigh in relief at the fact that he even showed up. That’s proof enough that whatever memory he thinks I saw is important.

Again, he doesn’t stand, doesn’t even turn toward me when he says, “What am I doing here, Marquees?”

Well, here goes nothing. “I need you to track someone’s subconscious.”

He laughs before he turns. “Why would I break the law for you?”

“Because I know something you want to keep a secret.” A bold lie.

“See, I don’t have any reason to believe that. Not unless Lusia’s sent you, and if that’s the case, I’ll do anything you wish, so long as you tell me her motive.”

Lusia, as in Queen Lusia of Soma. What a bad, bad idea. How did I not put this together? If Kai is a prince and the two of them are both entangled in a marriage arrangement, it would only stand to reason that he too is a prince. So, who are they to marry then? I think back to what a very droozed Kai said. He used to be my sister.

“I’m here to watch you until the marriages are settled,” I tell him and hope it’s not too vague an answer.

“I have a Eunoia at my disposal, not too far from us right now,” he says with a smile, even though it’s a threat. And a Eunoia forcing the truth out of me will end very, very badly. For me. He goes on, “If you do not tell me the truth, I’ll be sure that Lusia hears of our… encounter.”

“I swear I’m telling the truth,” I tell him. “My family was killed and Lusia promised me safety, and a place at your fine school if I could only make sure you were married smoothly.”

“Who?” he says.

“Who?” I echo, hoping for a bit more information, something of a clue.

“Who is to be married smoothly?”

What a headache, and how much more difficult a headache makes this encounter. I share a room with a Royal, I know that, the blonde Folk. It would only make sense that he was to marry her, but I can’t remember her name when I need it most. Cassidy? Carissa?

“You to Calista,” I finally say, too late.

Lucian cracks a smile, and I fear I got the name wrong. Then I lose all feeling in my neck, unable to breathe for the second time tonight. The feeling of imminent death looms over me, again, and I begin to wonder if my neck is even attached to my body anymore.

I slip my hand to my waistband, reaching for the blade. Lucian says, “I will let go of your neck in three seconds, and if you do not tell me the entire truth, I won’t be so merciful.”

I watch his hand open from a closed fist and the feeling in my neck comes back. I have the blade at my side and I’m closing in on him, ready to slice his neck if it comes to my survival over his.

He probably deserves death anyway. Never worked for anything in his life, never experienced hardship, simply born into power and money and the top of this entire universe that shits on me. He’s the reason my life has been what it is. Or at least part of it. A perpetuation of it.

“Is it death you’ve chosen? I must say I haven’t seen a loyalty to the Queen of Soma so strong in a Folk before.” Then he raises his hand, a threat.

“Don’t.” I slip the dagger back in its place and hold up my hand. I hate him. I hate that he has power over me. I hate that he could have my life in his hands at any moment whenever he wants it.

And I’ve backed myself into a corner. Another lie, if not convincing enough, could very well lead to my death, which I’ve already so narrowly escaped tonight. I choose the hardest way out; the truth, which pours out of me while I grow angry with myself for sharing it. “Two Folk took my mom. I need to track her. I’m not working with Lusia, I’ve never even met her, and I didn’t put together that you were the prince until you said her name tonight.”

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