“Silence, you old fool,” I snap, my patience fraying under his insinuations and pointless taunts. “You’ve failed to deliver on what you promised.” I sneer, flexing my fingers, longing to deliver my promise of punishment.
Ignixis shows no concern, his face twisting into something smug. “Have I?” he lets the question hang, as he turns to pace, fluttering his black robes—time wasting theatrics. “Thereisa method... one that is guaranteed to work...” His expression changes, uncertainty, and something almost like sadness shadowing his features. “Though it may cost me dearly...” he whispers.
“I care not what it costsyou,Elder.” I glare at him, my eyes flashing.
“You wound me,boy,” Ignixis snaps, his face twisting into a snarl, the venom of his soul oozing out. “Fine. You shall have your answer—after we reach Klendathor.”
“Klendathor?” I scoff. “What use is that, when the Mortakin-Tok will have already provided the answer?”
“Will it?” Ignixis smirks, his head tilting forward. “You know everything now? Even the minds of the Gods?” He cackles, his shifting emotions unsettling me. “It would almost be worth seeing you fail, Dracoth. Daring to bring two females to thesteps of Lanaisor, only to be struck down by the Gods for your arrogance.” He erupts into a fit of scathing laughter.
My gaze falls to my hands. His words extinguish my spark of hope—a vain hope that I could let the Gods decide. But instead, they would punish me for my indecision. I grit my teeth. I need the old gas-cloud’s help more than I’d like to admit.
“Is that doubt I see in ourmighty War Chieftain?” Ignixis mocks, his voice laced with glee at my momentary hesitation. I curse myself for letting even a flicker of uncertainty show. “Trust in me, Dracoth, and I will guide you to glory.” He approaches, standing before me, his face and tone solemn. “Remember this moment when the time comes. Remember my vow.”
“Remember the sacred words.”
Chapter 23
Alexandra
Disembark
“Okay,myturn.Truthor dare?” I ask, locking eyes with Sandra as she sits cross-legged in front of me. She frowns, looking thoughtful. I fight back a grin, giving her more time than she ever gave me. Quite impatient is our little Miss Nosy. And ruthless too—asking how many men I’ve slept with. The cheek of her!
Well, two can play that game. A smirk curls on my lips.
“Um... dare!” Sandra finally decides, shifting uncomfortably on the cold metal floor of our cell.
It’s been two days since we last saw the giant red bore Dracoth—at least, that’s my best guess given the ceaseless, tacky dim lights. I never thought I’d miss him, but it’s worrying... for both of us. Has he abandoned us? Only the mini-Dracoths have comearound, bringing those awful jelly sticks and swapping out our fur blankets and clothes—those equally terrible.
“How about...” My thoughts trail off as I scan the sparse black metal walls. Options are limited—like our chances of getting out of here.
The toilet? Make her touch it? Ugh, no, that’s gross.
“Um... alright. I dare you to eat this whole jelly stick in under two minutes.” I extract the wobbly, yellow, translucent “food.”
“Two minutes?” Sandra echoes, eyeing the floppy rectangle with doubt creeping over her face.
“Go on... you know you can’t resist,” I jest, waving it close to her face.
Sandra swats my hand away. “It takes me a whole day to eat one of those.”
“Really? You’re faster than me. Takes me two days,” I sigh, thinking about lovely cinnamon swirls or a nice stack of French toast with syrup and sausages. How long has it been since I tasted real food? If only I had asked Distro Bistro to wrap up my order before I got abducted. Although Dracoth probably would’ve ruined those as well.
“Lexie?” Sandra asks, pulling me from my delicious musings.
“What?” I snap to attention, my stomach rumbling and betraying my thoughts.
“Oh, right... truth.” I glance at Sandra as she nods, her long ginger hair swaying—the brightest thing in this darkness. “Okay, let’s see... what is your favorite—” I frown, thinking harder. “No, wait. I’ve got it! Where’s the wildest place you’ve ever had sex?”
Mine was almost on an alien spaceship.
I pull my furs tighter around me. Despite their thickness, they never stave off my bone-chilling cold.
“God, that’s a tough one,” Sandra says, tapping her chin, eyes narrowing in thought. “Probably the Campbells’ barn... or maybe one of the fields,” she titters.
“Really?” I burst out laughing. “I won’t ask withwho... or withwhat!” I tease, realizing she’s more adventurous than she seems.
