Page 69 of Devour
“Anger is quite the motivator,” I bite out.
“Indeed, it is. But I find it strange,” she taps her manicured finger against her bottom lip, “that that much rage could be suppressed for that long with no other evidence of discontent.”
“I complained of Ivar regularly. I contested him in the field.”
“And you did not challenge him here because…”
I clamp my mouth shut. She knows. I know she knows.
“Because you did not want to lead,” she answers for me.
I take in a long breath. This is it, the path I knew I would have to travel down in order to keep her safe. They cannot know the real truth. Instead, I will give them a catered one.
“I did not.”
“So, the logical conclusion is that, if it was not Ivar, it was not ego, it was not a desire to lead—it washer.”
I carefully control my features.
“One moon ago,” I begin calmly, “I had a reading. Do you recall?”
The other priestesses glance at each other.
“Remind me.” Blythe flicks a brow.
“Justice.”
“Justice,” she tastes the word. “Do tell. How does justice fit into this change in fates?”
“I’ve been toying with the word for weeks, trying to find its meaning. Trying to understand my true place here in the community. You know that I do not relish pain, despite the necessity of it. I do not believe in control for the sake of control. I do not believe in the abolition of freedom. We can have our right and our community, without manipulating the other peoples of this continent.”
“It is ours to take.”
“The Ancient One will make it so.” I bow my head, like a good little cult boy. “And death is required, I understand. But in this way? I wonder. So, I spent a lot of time contemplating how I would balance these two beliefs. How, if I were to choose, would I achieve the blight?”
Her head whips up, eyes alight with a mixture of eager curiosity and suspicion. Now, I have her attention.
“Our community is thriving. Our people are happy, and yet, it remains elusive. I have a theory. I will take my place as captain, and I will lead us to the blight.”
Her eyes shine. Gold with red flecks, the demon inside smiling at me.
Good; it means he believes me.
I am selling my soul to the devil just so they keep their eyes off of Lina.
“You will lead, then? That is what you are telling me?”
“I will lead.”
“You will lead and bring on the blight as prophesied?”
I hold my chin high and lie through my teeth. “Yes.”
“If you are truly ready, then come.” She stands and waves her hand to beckon me toward the glowing pit filled with angry red stones.
My pulse spikes as I take my place on the edge.
My soul sizzles in anticipation, as if mimicking the way my skin will sear in only moments. He is eager.
