Move over, Shadowalker. Eliyana is mine.
THIRTY
Ky
I see her before he does.
The triangular ballroom has a tilted feel. Probably due to all the stained glass pieced together at odd angles to create the vaulted ceiling. Or perhaps it seems askew due to the way I stagger when she comes into view. I dart my gaze to Josh. To her. He’s not even looking up. His mouth moves, his eyes trained on the floor.
Ah. David is on the way. I don’t know if that makes it better for me or much, much worse.
We descend a spiral staircase, following the Munchkin man we’ve learned is Pierre, as if we belong. When we reach the end he scampers off, leaving us to fend for ourselves. I watch Josh. If I make a sudden move, he’ll notice. Do I make a scene? Or play it cool?
Decisions, decisions.
“Odessa’ll be here somewhere,” Dahlia says from behind her golden mask. Shoulders slumped, she coughs several times, her breaths coming in huffs. “I’ll get on with findin’—”
I lean toward her. A stale scent surrounds her. Like dead leaves. She really is ill. All this traveling has gotten to the old Ever woman. “We don’t need her,” I say as low as I can manage.
“Where are you runnin’ off to in such a hurry?”
I follow her line of vision.
My brother is gone.
Crowe, why’d she have to go and ruin it?
“Run for her.” Kyaphus is all talk, but he’s not the one who suffers the consequences of my actions. Not really. “Don’t let him get there before you. Take what’s yours. Be a man.”
A man, huh? A man who does what he wants. Takes what he wants. What kind of man is that?
Sounds more like a coward, if you ask me.
I clear my throat and begin my controlled, out-of-character walk. This is not the time to fight over her. She’s made her choice, and she chose me. I have to trust that’s enough.
The Void makes me weaker with every step, though no one seems to notice the charcoal veins covering every inch of my arms. One guy even comments on my “costume,” asking where in Oz did I get my work done. At least I blend in.
Didn’t need much of a disguise. Pierre suited our group up within an hour, ready with forged invitations, cheap masks, hats, and other odds and ends.
A green boa for Wren that’s more snake than feathers.
Dahlia squealed, delighted at her wide-brimmed hat and dress made from a set of drapes. Really?
David was pleased his only addition was a simple eye mask in such dark green, it almost appears black.
And me? The mask I wear is much lighter, almost white, covering my face from hairline to upper lip. The Munchkin man thought it would be of good contrast with my “strange tattoos.”
I chuckle. Em loves musicals. Will she see me as the Phantom of the Opera? I could always break out in song, render my own version of “All I Ask of You.” Too soon? Maybe, but I’ll try anything at this point.
David has a twenty-foot lead, surfing with ease through the throng. A peek over one shoulder informs me Dahlia has gone off to who knows where, probably looking for Odessa, even though an informant has become unnecessary. I haven’t kept track of Wren, but I’m sure she’s watching everything unfold from some shadowed corner. Sulking and defeated. I feel the slightest iota of pity. It’s truly awful to love someone who doesn’t love you back.
That’s my reality as well. “But not for long.” The assurance is for myself alone.
I’m reminded of the first time I encountered the girl at the center of the room. Different but also the same. Her hair is pulled off her face now, shoulders back and squared with confidence. The sight makes me fall in love with her more than ever, and a sudden burst of strength plus a shot of resolve quickens my strides. Not too fast, but not sluggish either.
The Verity inside her soul is tethered to the Void inside mine. I need her. I choose her. The light in my darkness.
When David reaches her, I don’t stop. Watch her expression for some sign she wants nothing to do with him. Disgust, repulsion, disinterest? I’ll take any and all. We’ve been apart three days, but it feels like a lifetime. If I can just touch her, everything will be all right. We’ll be the way we were and everything will be—
Over. Done.
Because he kisses her. Full on the mouth. Hands in her hair. Thumb on her face. But this isn’t what rips me.
It’s the way she doesn’t push him away. The way her arms wrap around his neck. The way she rises on her toes to be closer to him.
My world falls apart.
“See what patience has cost you? This is why you need me.”
“No.” My vision blurs. “The only person I need is kissing my brother.”
Then everything clears and I’m tearing my shirt over my head, charging for them. If I was a Mask, I’d be a lion.
“Paralyze him. Use your Shield and take what’s yours.”
“Shut up.” The command reaches deep, a resounding boom telling him to back the Void off.
Kyaphus trembles.
I promised myself I wouldn’t use my Calling for anything other than self-defense again. Granted, I could justify this as defense of some sort. He thinks he can trick her into loving him again? She’s smarter than that.
And so am I.
“Em.”
Either they don’t hear me or they don’t care. My brother backs her against the mirrorglass-decked column just behind. His entire person takes her over. I could ask him to please remove himself from the love of my life. Or I could do this my way.
He releases a soft moan and she echoes the sound.
My way it is.
I tear him off of her. I’m so close to punching him, but I growl instead, releasing my hold on his bicep. No doubt I look like the monster many believe I am. But this isn’t the Void acting, it’s me. Just wait for it. I know exactly what I’m doing, and it’s not what they think.
She screams and . . . here it comes. Just as I knew she would—because I do know her better—she shoves me. How else was I going to gain her touch? If I’d approached with a calm, timid demeanor, she would’ve backed away. And David? No chance he’d let me get close after that. Nah, this is the only solution. Thank you, element of surprise.
When her palms meet my bare chest, skin on skin, her expression transforms, just as it did before the Threshold swallowed her. She keeps contact as her gaze passes between me and my brother. Confusion, disbelief, anger, rage, sorrow. All are present, shredding my heart as it connects with hers. I told him our connection was stronger, but he wouldn’t buy it. Does he see it now? Does he feel the slightest bit of remorse for what he’s done?
“Ky?” Her voice shakes. “Ky . . .” She blinks. It’s like watching someone wake from a nightmare. “Ky.” My name on her lips lifts the pain of the Void. I hardly even notice it now.
She starts to fall backward, but I take hold of her hand before she can break contact. Then I draw her in. I’m about to kiss her when a guard bangs his staff on the floor three times.
Tap, tap, tap.
“And now a special dance will commence in honor of Her Grace, Her Royal Excellency, the Lioness of Oz!”
A wave of excited titters passes through the crowd. Then they begin to call out in caws and hoots. Barks and meows and whinnies.