Page 188 of Soulmateless
“No, but it's worth a shot. It's better than what you got, which is essentially nothing.”
I purse my lips. I'm not sure about this. What if this cure ends up making him worse? What if this potion literally melts his brain and kills him? What if it doesn't even go to his brain and he ends up blind or losing a limb? “I don't appreciate him being a test subject.”
“Look at this way. Amias is being brainwashed by his Grandmother. His family. His friends. He's being taught that you raped him. That everything you've been to him is a lie. He will think every single thing you do is a part of a manipulation game.” She lowers her chin. “You're fighting a losing game. There's no way you can convince him successfully.”
My lips twist. I hate it, but she's right. He has the power to kill me. He’ll do it, and nothing I say will seem real to him - and rightfully so.
Minerva continues. “This cure is all you got.I'mall you got. If you go there, Amias will remain in the condition he's in, living in an abusive home, and you'll be six feet under.” She stands up proudly. “If you stay at the sanctuary and I get Amiasback with his memories, you'll spend the rest of your life with him. You take my deal, or you're both doomed to fail.”
I bite my tongue. She’s hundred percent right. I know, no matter what, I'm dying if I go after him myself. With being in Amara and the brainwashing, there would be no way.
But I've only just met her and she's promising to do me a huge favor for little in exchange. This could all be a scheme to have me stay at the sanctuary. “How can I trust that you'll follow through? You're asking for low payment.”
She snickers, “I have my own motives for getting Amias.”
“To keep me in the resistance?”
“More than that. For just that reason would be measly. The payment will be bigger than you see, if he really did love you.”
If he really did love me? Why would it matter to her especially? “It is?”
“Besides, if my only intention were to keep you in the resistance, I would know better than to fall back on the promise. There's no way you wouldn't try to escape then.”
I huff. I know that's true. She's the best shot I've got, and she doesn't seem to have a good reason to betray me. At least not yet. “He must get out as soon as possible.”
“I'll have him here in six months at most.”
I think this over again. I'm really going to trust a stranger to save Amias? I guess I don't have much of a choice. I need him to come out alive, or else it's pointless.
And if she's the only way, I need this deal.
I reach my hand out to her. “I'll take it.”
She smirks before shaking my hand. “Shall I get Dante back in?”
“Is he going to agree with this deal?”
“He won't know.” She winks. “Don’t tell him about this deal. Play along with his plan and things will go smoothly.”
Smart idea. I'm starting to like Minerva. Now I have plans for both my people in the sanctuary and Amias. I don't have to ditch one for the other.
And now I can be with other people like me. Other dreamscreechers.
And both Amias and Somnia will be saved.
Chapter 67
Ignatia
A few days later, as soon as I got out of the hospital, Dante took me to the sanctuary to fill out some papers. I'm only in the lobby where a bunch of black sofa chairs stand on top of shiny pristine white floors.
I bring the small stack of papers I finished filling to Dante, who stands against the front desk ahead of me, painted in black with little purple statues of dreamscreechers guarding either side. “Here. I'm done.”
“Perfect,” he purrs, flipping through the pages. “I’ll put your information in the system and you'll get your room this afternoon.” He sets the papers on the desk before turning his back. “Come. Let's get you introduced to your new home.”
I lower my head and follow him. I have no idea what's going to come for me in the future but here we are. A new life. A new environment. A new group of people to meet.
Dante leads us to huge double doors, carved with images of Godusa and dreamscreechers standing proudly beside her. He smirks at me. “Are you ready?”
