Page 94 of Hex
“She said it’s inevitable so I may as well get it over with.”
While Hack sat vigil for Slash in what used to be a beautiful room dedicated to the Thirteen, I spent that time with Hekate trying to find a spell to bring Slash back somehow. Every single time, the fact that his body is detached from his head makes it impossible.
I haven’t told Hack yet, and I really don’t know how I can. I’m devastated by what happened to him. It’s like a part of us has been ripped away, and that hole is permanent and gaping wide open.
“We can speak in my office, so come with me.” Atlantis puffs himself up like the all-important being he believes himself to be and I can’t help curling my top lip in a mixture of disbelief and disgust.
“I go where she goes.” Hack positions himself in just a way that’s blocking Atlantis from seeing me fully. Considering I can protect myself maybe even better than he can, I fight the urge to roll my eyes. At the same time, I get it. He’s just lost his best friend, so now his protective streak is aimed directly at me.
“Unfortunately, I had a feeling you might say that.” Atlantis is exactly everything I’d expected of a snobby ruler of all rulers. Besides the Moirai, there’s no one above him in status—that I know of. I’d say that kind of power has gone to his head, but who am I to judge?
We go up at least three flights of stairs before returning to the Great Library and closing ourselves off in one of the offices Atlantis occupies. Unfurling his wings before he sits down, I’m stunned speechless at the sheer size of them.
Holy wingspan, Batman. Those things would make jet planes jealous. My attention is so consumed by the physics of it all—likewhere they go and how does his back even support that kind of weight—that I miss the first question I’m asked.
“I’m sorry, I was a little…distracted.” I give my head a little shake so I can get back to the conversation at hand.
“Right. I forgot how long you were a mere anthros.” Atlantis says this with the same look on his face as someone who’s just bit into a lemon. “The wings are a part of us, the angels, they span out when needed and mold back into our backs like a second skin.”
Huh. Makes sense, I guess. It’s no weirder than my chosen sporting a pumpkin head when he’s feeling a little murderous.Shit…does that mean I get wings too?
“Thank you.” I may be a hardcore tribrid, but I’m still a polite witch. Next to me, Hack is a giant silent mass of moral and, I’m guessing physical, support. It’s unnecessary but highly appreciated. “Will I have wings?” I can’t let the moment pass without asking. My curiosity is king.
The restraint Atlantis has in not rolling his eyes has to be commended, but I know he is barely tolerating me right now.
He grunts, but I don’t know him well enough to translate what the hell that means. “I have summoned you here to explain things to you…” He narrows his eyes, searching for something.
“Sage.” Hack provides my name through gritted teeth and I look up at him with hearts in my eyes.
“Yes. Sage. You are like a newborn soul wandering around this realm with heavy boots and no sense of decorum.” Well, damn. Harsh. “There are rules and laws that keep us safe and maintain the balance this universe needs to sustain all the kyn.”
When Atlantis slides his heated glare to Hack, there’s a second where I’m afraid they’re about to throw down and crown the alpha king. My money’s on Hack.
“She’s been a little busy being kidnapped by djinn and learning about her powers. Maybe give her a minute before you starttalking down to her.” Hack is livid but he’s not stupid. His words are firm but not over the top offensive. I don’t think?
“You’re both right. I am new to all of this, but I’m trying to adjust. The killings are accidental. I just don’t always know how to measure my powers.”
The room goes deathly silent.
“Killings? As in multiple?” If ever there was a need for a fuckedy fuck, it’s in this precise moment.
“Erm…”
“What she means is that there was another djinn at Rafi’s house.” Hack to the rescue.
Atlantis raises one brow, staring us down, like he’s the all-knowing, all-seeing principal and he can spot a lying liar from a mile away. The stress is killing me but I’ll be damned if I say anything more to incriminate myself. Goddess, I was just on trial for my life two days ago. I’m not going back to that shit show.
“Be that as it may, you cannot go about killing kyn because you’re not capable of reining in your powers. And let me be perfectly clear: you are one of a kind. If you cannot control yourself, you will disrupt the balance.” Leaning back into his chair, his wings long gone, he gives a dramatic pause like the villain of every freaking James Bond movie before dropping the proverbial hammer. “And when the balance is in jeopardy, we destroy the cause.”
Me. I’m the cause. If I don’t get my shit together, I’m a dead tribrid.
“Duly noted.” I nod a couple of times as I try to digest his—my father’s—threat.
Then it hits me. I’m not okay with this. He’s talking to me like I’m a toddler. And yes, in some ways, when it comes to this world, I am, but I’m not completely ignorant. I know my powers are above and beyond. I know I can undo whatever magic heconjures—Hekate told me as much. I know I’m a threat to him, not the other way around.
“If I may, I have some things that need to be said as well.” My spine is like steel as I take a step forward, showing Atlantis I’m not scared of him. I am a little, but I’m not showing him any weakness or he’ll hone in on that.
“Speak.” Pompous ass.
