Page 167 of Crystal Iris
“How... do you... know about it?”
“It’s not time for stories. Now take it off!”
“You’ll need to untie me first,” I say.
“Fine.” He pulls out an army knife and cuts the rope. I rub my hands together. “Now, take it off.” He points the knife at me.
“I can’t,” I reply. I need to think—and fast.
“What do you mean you can’t?”
“I can’t. It doesn’t… want to be off.”
“Control it.”
“I can’t. I don’t know how.”
His eyes darken with anger. He kicks a chair nearby.
“If you think this is a game, you’re very mistaken. I’ll cut it off if I have to.” He’s yelling now.
“You know just as well as I do that it won’t let you.”
“Then tell me how you did it. How you… kindled it?”
“Kindled it?”
“Awakened it.”
“I don’t understand,” I say.I really don’t.
“Don’t play dumb. I don’t have time for this.”
“I’m not. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” That’s the only plan I have—stall. For as long as I can, until someone finds me.
I have no weapons, no phone. All I have is this—this conversation.
“We tried for years. Nothing. You obviously figured it out. Tell me how you did it.”
“What do you mean you tried for years?”
“How did you get it?” He’s pissed, but he’s willing to talk. I’ll take it.
“My mother gave it to me.” I have to give him some truth—enough to keep this going.
“It wasn’t hers to give.”
“What are you talking about?”What is he talking about?!
“She stole it.”
“She would never.”
“You have no idea who your mother was, do you?”
“I know she would never steal anything.”
“I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but she did steal it.”
