Truth by Megan Linski

Author:Megan Linski
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Megan Linski

Cassia is limp and frail in Cairo’s arms. He shakes her and yells so she’ll regain consciousness, but she doesn’t waken.

She’s running out of time.

The gorgon is snickering. That’s it. I’m done playing around.

I stomp over to her and grab a fistful of snakes, then haul her up by her hair.

“You,” I snarl. “Tell me how to save my sister!”

I let her go as the snakes lunge for my hand. Persis laughs again and says, “The cure for Jikininki venom cannot be found on this earth. It can be only located in one place— Purgatory.”

“Purgatory,” I breathe. The in-between for souls ferried from earth to heaven.

It is a place meant for mortals— not for angels, nor demons.

“Beware,” Persis breathes. “A Nephilim may only enter Purgatory once, and never again. If you fail to find the cure before you leave, you will not be able to go back.”

“Okay. Easy,” Thames says, though it doesn’t sound easy at all.

Persis laughs. “Not so. Purgatory has a time limit. A living soul will only be able to visit there for a period lasting no longer than three days. Any longer will cause the soul to become trapped there, forever.”

Cairo gently lies Cassia onto the ground, then stands. “We don’t have three days.”

“There’s a major issue. If we enter Purgatory, there’s no way out,” I say, and the gorgon remains silent. “None that I know of, anyway.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Cairo says firmly. “I will go.”

“Bro, hold on,” Thames starts. “Let’s think about this.”

“There’s nothing to think about,” Cairo says viciously. “I’m not letting Cassia die.”

He looks to the gorgon. “How do we get there?”

The gorgon twists her body, like a swaying serpent. “There are portals. I may open a portal to Purgatory, but I cannot help you get back. I will do this in exchange for my freedom.”

The gorgon spits, and the snakes hiss again. “I want immunity against the Immortal Legion, and a promise they will never hunt me again.”

“No deal,” Lavonne says instantly. “We’re not giving you a free pass to maim and murder.”

“Lavonne, please,” I plead. “It’s Cass.”

Lavonne’s face is tight, but she glances at Cassia, then nods.

“How can we trust you?” Thames snarls. “You could open a portal to hell, or God knows where else. You could trick us.”

Cairo steps in front of his brother. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what it takes.”

He stares at the gorgon. “Do it.”

The gorgon nods. She bends, whispering some arcane chant. Beside her blossoms a large silver portal, glowing and swirling. You can’t see anything that lies beyond— only white feathers floating in the ether between. A harmonious sound emits from the other side, but it’s not comforting. It’s chilling, beckoning.

Cairo steps toward the portal.

“Cairo, wait.” Thames grabs his brother’s arm. “If you go in there, there’s no guarantee you’ll come back.”

Cairo yanks his arm away. His expression is colder than stone. “If I don’t go, it’s a guarantee that my girlfriend will die, and I’m not letting that happen, Thames. I’ll find a cure, and I’ll find a way back.

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