Page 110 of Courting War
“There isn’t much else that can be,” Cecile agreed. “So the gods are fucking with us. Making us feel secure now that we’ve had success.”
Emmett gave them a thin smile. “It has to be.”
“It is possible to face the same god twice. It happened to the Nefesian champion twenty-eight years ago.” Cecile twitched her lips, thinking through the history. She’d memorized the last seventeen Sacrifices. Studying them over and over again. “My riddle was:I rest in shadows. I lurk behind corners. I reap all joy and slay all creatures. Some curse me while others embrace me still. But one thing is certain. I’m one strong pill.It couldn’t be anything other than death, but it’s strange because nine out of ten times, the final challenge is to face a god, not just their games.”
“So what do you want to do about it?” Kellyn asked.
“We go in together and hope for the best.” She shrugged, throwing her hands up into the air.
The fire popped and crackled, mirroring his unease.
Chapter Thirty-Four
KELLYN
Champion of Theoden
DEATH’S MIRROR
The Death mirror taunted them, its snake frame hissing and coiling, the liquid silver glinting and inviting them into their demise. It was close to midnight, and Kellyn needed to get moving. He had two challenges to complete in just over a day, and some challenges could last the entirety of one. Hopefully, not his last two.
Kellyn stepped up to the mirror and reached out, but Emmett grabbed his elbow.
“Before we go in,” Emmett cleared his throat. “I—um,” he coughed, shuffling on his feet. “I saw you in the last challenge . . .your issues. And while I don’t forgive you, I understand.”
Kellyn inhaled sharply. His heart was like a caterpillar emerging from its cocoon. Hope burst out with it in the shape of butterfly wings. He dared not say anything to disturb this tenuous peace.
Emmett patted his friend on the back. “We’ve been through enough. I say we try to move forward.”
Kellyn’s chest warmed, and his lips rose into a smile. “Thank you.”
“Yeah . . .” Emmett slapped Kellyn on the back again. “Let’s not mention it again.” He changed the topic swiftly. “Shall we?”
Kellyn nodded, and the three of them surged into the Death mirror, their hands clasped.
If someone were ever to take a bath in snakes, this was what it would feel like. He shuddered; every inch of his body covered in scales. It was a mixture of repellent sensations, from smooth to dry to unsettlingly warm to the touch. But the pressure—like someone squeezing around his neck—revolted him.
It had to be snakes.
Gooseflesh crawled down his spine.
As the sensation dissipated, and Kellyn stepped into the challenge, he felt Emmett’s hand ripped from his. Whirling around, Kellyn saw it disappear into nothing, and the exit solidified into unbreakable glass.
Havyn had separated the friends. Kellyn was now truly alone.
He was surrounded by thick, reinforced—bullet-resistant—glass. It was a nearly empty chamber. The only objects inside were the statue cameras, recording everything. On the other side of the glass was twisting darkness. There were no clues as to what the game would be. It was simply a trap.
“Wait,” a disembodied soprano voice called, and Theo walked out of the disappearing portal. She held a satchel and panted like she’d run an entire marathon. “You can’t do this without me.”
A commotion coiled in his heart, but he couldn’t make out the emotion. It was at once livid, surprised, immensely glad, and heartbroken. It was a lot to feel.
Havyn’s pale form appeared amongst the darkness on the other side of the glass. “Wonderful, we’re all here—”
“Where are Cecile and Emmett?” Kellyn interrupted.
“Playing their own game with the Mistress of Fate.” Havyn’s smile was that of a jungle cat. “Tsk, tsk, you should know that all final challenges are faced alone.” Havyn clucked her tongue as if disappointed in him. “Now, our game is simple: answer the questions honestly, and you can live.”
Havyn cackled, and with a snap of her fingers, a glassbarrier climbed between him and Theo, forming shard by shard, crackling with every piece that slid into place. They were in separate chambers now, and Kellyn figured out precisely why, as water started bubbling up from the floor a moment later.
