Firstlife by Showalter Gena

Author:Showalter, Gena [Showalter, Gena]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-03-10T08:00:00+00:00

chapter thirteen

“Reality exists within the scope of your senses. If you feel it, it’s real.”

—Myriad

We’re in the air fifteen short minutes later. The aircraft is small and the flight is bumpy, and I’m laid bare by a certainty I’d rather not face: I’m afraid of heights. Well, afraid of falling.

The way Clay fell...

I shudder.

“Cold?” Killian asks. He’s perched in the seat next to mine, toying with the ends of my hair. “Or frightened?”

“Screw you,” I mutter. Why can’t I be like Sloan? She’s as happy as a boss in the copilot seat.

Fear hinders, never helps. Look past it.

“I can distract you,” he says. “Or we can sit in silence.”

“I pick silence.”

“Very well.”

True to his word, he says nothing for hours. Despite my annoyance, I manage to nap for several more. But, after I wake up, another hour slips by as I shift uncomfortably and visualize the many ways to die in a plane, I finally admit the cold-shoulder treatment is only hurting myself.

I give up, saying, “Earn your keep. Do something to distract me.”

His chuckle is warm, not the cold thing I expect. “Dance, monkey, dance?”

“Good. You understand.”

“How about we negotiate terms for your covenant?”

Why not? I’m a little curious and a lot desperate. “All right. Tell me what, exactly, Myriad is willing to offer me.”

He goes still. “You’re serious?”

I swallow a snort. “Yes. I’m serious.”

As if he’s afraid I’ll change my mind, he rushes to say, “Your contract will last your Second-death. We will ensure your Firstlife is filled with fame and riches that far surpass anything your parents ever achieved, and in your Everlife, you’ll be given a place of honor inside the palace, as well as any other home you desire. If you want it, you get it, even if it’s occupied. You will never lack for anything. You will have servants, and you will answer only to our King.”

“I have no desire for fame and riches.” I’ve already experienced the heavy cost of each. “And I don’t want to steal someone’s home.”

I think I’ve surprised him again. He regards me quizzically. “Name your desire then. Your wish is my command.”

No way I’ll tell him about the beach house. I want to buy it with my inheritance and owe no one. “What about a job?”

“As an Abrogate, you’ll need to train for other positions. Messenger. Laborer. Scout. Leader. The more you know about each, the better Abrogate you’ll be.”

“But...how do you even know I’m an Abrogate?”

“For starters, you’re Fused with a General.”

He drops the news as if I’m supposed to coo with excitement. Thing is, I’m not even slightly startled. I should have guessed this was always about the spirit I’m supposedly Fused with, not me.

“Again I ask how you know—beyond any doubt.”

A slight pause. “We...don’t. We can only guess, but all our Generals were wiped out at once, and their Second-death coincided with your birth.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure my birth coincides with a lot of Second-deaths.”

“Yes, but your spirit glowed through your skin. That only happens when a soul is Fused with one of the more powerful positions.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.