Page 34 of Cursed Lifeline

"Which creates a complication," my brother sighs.

"So, if it wasn't for Felix, you'd let me marry that fat, old..."

Alfred cuts me off. "It's because of Felix the council is forced to consider alternatives. May it work in your favor or not, only time will tell."

"What alternatives?"

"We increase your training. Before the end of the month, you'll learn to hunt. To kill. And finally take your place as the slayer."

"So," I laugh bitterly, "either I marry Lord Laurent to save France, even though it's damned anyways, or I train in order to kill the only man I..."

Alfred frowns and I immediately stop speaking before looking away in shame.

Felix's words from earlier drift to memory.

You.

I'd. Always. Choose. You.

Rising, I walk slowly over to the window across the room and look out across the garden. My heart breaks when I catch Felix's sad stare and he's met by two of his kind. The three men talk briefly, and all too soon Felix is pulled away, but not before giving me one last longing look over his shoulder.

My heart will always choose Felix.

Only problem is, the calling on my life threatens to win before Felix and I ever got a chance to play the game. No matter what my heart wants, the future was never mine to decide. Not after the council chose me as the slayer.

"There may be another way," Alfred groans. Instantly, my gaze locks back on his.

Impatiently, I wait for him to tell me what other way. But he only frowns, then looks at Silas and Caelum. Silas shakes his head and says, "Absolutely not."

With an irritated huff, I demand, "Will you all stop treating me like a child and tell me, what other way?"

The three men study one another. Finally, Caelum rises, walks a few hesitant steps in my direction, and says, "Maybe you should have a drink first, Es, before we relay a plan that may end like that book you're reading."

He nods down at my hands. Looking at the novel still clutched in my palm, my heart stops. Having not reached the end yet, I slowly look back at Caelum and ask, "Does Ophelia die in the end?"

A regretful chuckle leaves Caelum's lips. "I hate to spoil the story, but…"

Turning away before he can say another word, Caelum's voice fades as I step toward the window and gently place my hand against the cool glass.

As long as Felix lives, I don't care.

I'd risk my life to save his.

Only thing is, something tells me there's more to this spoiled ending than Caelum is letting on. If that's the case, it doesn't matter what risks we take, the powers of heaven and hell have decided.

Like William Shakespeare once said, "All the world's a stage, and the men and women merely players."

If that's the case, regardless of the way Felix and I feel about each other, the show must go on.

Thirteen

Esme

Song: La Vie En Rose | Edith Piaf

Ballgowns swirl across my vision.The ruffle of the lady's fabric adds to the tension in the room as it swishes past me, and their men lead them into a waltz. The music echoes off the walls, making it almost too loud for me to think straight. I grab another glass of champagne from a waiter as he walks past, and immediately catch the questioning eyes of Alfred as he glares down at me from his stiff position to my right.

"This is a horrible idea," Silas mutters from where he stands on my left.

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