Page 72 of A Kiss From Death
I may be dooming myself, but my intuitions haven’t led me astray so far, so I won’t start ignoring them today. My gut tells me I’vemade the right choice, and content sinks into my bones.
Cartwell makes his choices, and the Vanquisher uses his magic to guide each of our boats to their respective places. I take two deep, steadying breaths and peak over at Ray on the other side of the water from me. I give her a small, reassuring smile and wave before facing forward to look at the wall.
“Jade has won the coin toss, so she will make the first selection. Since she is also placed in a boat, she will relay her choice to the Vanquisher, who will pull the catapult lever.” A wicked smile takes over the Empress’ face as she looks to both sides of the wall, staring us down.
“Good luck to you all, and pray to the gods you aren’tsubmerged.” She trots off but stays inside the Bubble for today’s game, her throne now inside so she can have up close viewing pleasures.
I falter when I spot Hade standing next to her, freshly washed and in new clothes, not a single drop of blood to be seen. I didn’t expect him to return, and now, my nerves are shot. I rush to look away, praying he didn’t catch me, but it’s like he can feel my gaze, turning immediately to lock eyes with me, and my heart stops dead.
I turn into a living ball of nerves, not sure what to do with myself or how to act. He just brutally murdered the man who tried to kill me. Not only that, he meticulously tortured him fordaysfirst, and I’m about to start a game that could very likely get me killed before the sun has even set tonight.
I nervously turn away, breaking the electric eye contact we shared that was quite literally sucking the life out of me, making it difficult to breathe. My hands start to shake a bit, so I wedge them under my butt, praying no one notices.
A phantom breeze blows across my face, pushing back the curls spilling over my face. A gentle caress glides across my cheek, so soft, I barely notice it. A tiny black shadow pushes up against my cheek like a caress, and my anxiety melts away in an instant.
It’shim.I could never forget the way his magic feels against my skin, as essential as needing food each day, a familiar comfort that always seems to show up when I need it most. I smile to myself, softly pushing into the shadow, and it seems to purr back in response.
Everything is going to be okay. I can feel it in my bones.
“Hit!” the Empress squeals from her chair, making my smile falter and my stomach plummet. Lost in my own thoughts, I hadn’t even noticed the game started.
Swiveling, I see a giant orb of red magic in the seat directly behind Ray. Somehow, Jade has landed her first attempt, and I don’t like the idea of that. She sees me wearily staring and gives me a soft smile, waving me off like she will be fine. I pray for her sake she is, because her odds aren’t looking great if Cartwell doesn’t hit a ship soon.
“C three,” Cartwell calls out and pulls the lever. Awhooshsounds above me as I watch a giant orb of magic catapult over the tall wall and make a splash when it hits the other side. My stomach sinks for a second time—the sound of it hitting water doesn’t makeme very hopeful.
“Miss!” the Empress shouts excitedly.
I drop my face into my hands, collecting myself before sitting back up again. Everything is going to be okay…I hope. Squaring my shoulders, I see a giant x marked on the wall where Cartwell’s move landed.
I hear the whoosh of the catapult on the other side and brace for impact just in case. It barrels over the wall aiming for the back left corner where Ray is perched. The orb hits the water to her left one square back, splashing her in the process.
Thank the Empress.
“Another miss!” the Empress belts.
“F Seven,” Cartwell states as he pulls the lever and lets another orb fly. It wizzes by in a flash, making contact on the other side.
“That’s a hit!” the Empress squeals as a giant circle appears on the wall in front of me, marking the start of a ship. I pray it’s the smaller boat for Ray’s sake.
Whoosh! Sploosh!
The orb narrowly misses Ray again, landing to her right and one space back this time. They are closing in on her, and my heart starts to pound with anticipation. I place my trust back in Cartwell, knowing he is our best bet at survival.
“E Seven,” Cartwell calls out, launching another orb.
Splash!
“Oh bummer, another miss!” Sarcasm oozes from her voice.
Shit on a brick, this is not going well. The playing field is big, so tell me why both the game masters have latched on to boats faster than it takes Winston to start listing facts about oranges. I won’t let them take Ray from me. She deserves to breathe more than the two devils sitting on the opposite side of this wall. She deserves the world.
Woosh!
My eyes track the orb through the air above me, aiming at the back corner again, right at Ray. I hold my breath, prayingthey miss for a third time as my heart sinks. It barrels through the air, dropping until it plops into Ray’s lap, making her let out a small yelp.
“I’m okay,” she shouts over to me, looking more embarrassed than hurt. I don’t spot any blood, so I assume the orb absorbed most of the impact, leaving her unharmed. Two orbs now sit in her boat, one behind her and one in her lap, leaving three seats open.
“Another hit!” the Empress screams, jumping into the air like this is entertaining to her.
