The witch rolls her eyes. “Not even half of us have arrived. Have some patience.”
“It’s fine, love,” the griffin purrs. “You’re eager to get to the entertainment. I fully understand. All the new ones are like that.”
“Your form of entertainment is perverse.” The witch sneers.
“You knew full well what this position entailed when you signed up, Daamador.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m looking forward to watching it take place. If children must die to earn me this new power, then so be it. But to look forward to watching is something else.”
The griffin flicks a brow. “I’d keep that opinion to yourself, then. You’ll offend the others with your self-righteousness, and we’ll begin to question your loyalty.”
The witch snorts. “As I understand it, you’ve been desperate for anyone to fill these sudden open positions. Kick me out. Threaten me. We both know you need me in the war against the prince.”
“Yes, Vincent’s grand standing has put us in a bad position, but that is why we need to make our final move to alleviate that issue. After we enact the plan we’ve set today, we’ll be able to get back to our true purpose.”
My stomach sinks. What plan did they set for today?
“Killing children. Such a grand goal.”
“Death is only the means, Daamador. It is not our purpose.”
“And yet, you enjoy it.”
The griffin glares at the witch.
“Your last plan was to lure the Orizian prince by baiting him with his chosen on a leash. That has not panned out yet, has it?” the witch tsks.
The griffin’s wings ruffle. “No, and the prince has made some advances in regaining the favor of the clans. So, it’s time to change things up.”
“Vincent doesn’t even have the right girl, does he?” the witch says. “It’s no wonder you can’t fill your seats. You have a fool running the place. And his last failure killed off half of the council.”
The griffin’s patience snaps. Her golden wings spread, and she slams her hand on the table. “Enough of your negativity. If you don’t want to be part of the council, we’ll find a replacement.”
The witch chuckles. “Oh, I want to be here. I am just an instigator. I like to see what will make people break.”
The cyclops laughs, booming through the room. “It did not take much for this one. Thank you for the entertainment.”
“Anytime,” the witch says. She plucks the griffin’s wine glass from the table and takes a swig.
The griffin rolls her shoulders, and her expression smooths into calm. “We may have needed positions filled quickly, but don’t underestimate the Cosmic Council. This is a dangerous group to taunt. Once the full group is here, I’d be very wary of that kind of negative speech.”
“Then, it’s a good thing I got it off my chest now while it’s only you.” The witch winks.
My lips twitch. Like the cyclops, I’m thankful for the minor entertainment while I wait in this extremely anxious situation. Just a small barrier separates me from beings that would happily tear me apart if given the chance.
I find myself almost liking this witch. Of course, I know better. She may act like she’s not happy about the idea of the games themselves, but she still accepted a spot on the council, knowing full well what they are about.
She’s not much different than Bea.
I tap my knee nervously. I’m uncertain if I can fully trust her.
Just then, something shifts in a distant recess of my mind. Rushing, rush, rushing forward. I gasp as Jarron’s thoughts rush into mine, and I don’t even have time to create a distraction.
My own vision blinks out, and I see a different world clear as day.
It’s a dark stone beach, surrounded by stone cliffs, with two massive orange moons in the sky.
Down below them is a gathering of many beings, shifting like shadows together. Jarron must be on one of the cliffs up high, overlooking the crowd.
