Reach for You by Pat Esden

Author:Pat Esden [Esden, Pat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-06-26T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

I am not Ophelia. And neither madness nor love shall take me there. I am determination. I am as a morning star, baptized in the dark waters of night, I rise again, wielding the strength of my own skin.

—Journal of Stephanie Freemont, 31 October 1795

Dad gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’m proud of you, kiddo,” he whispered.

“Back at you,” I said.

It was a few minutes before sunset and we were waiting in the dimly lit alcove by the widow’s walk staircase. Everyone was there to see us off—even Houdini, wriggling to get free from Zachary’s grip. The last thing we needed was to have him follow us into the realm.

I slid my fingers down the dagger hanging at my loosely belted waistline and then reached into my robe’s secret pockets, checking that I had my bags of salt and mini flashlight. This was so different than the last time when Lotli, Chase, and I had snuck into the realm behind the older generation’s backs. It was different, too, with all of us dressed in brown eunuch robes, our faces already sheltered by deep hoods. The flute in Lotli’s hand was a reminder of her power and the spell that bound me to keep my promise. But seeing her in the plain robe with charcoal striping her face bothered me far less than the belly dancer costume she’d worn on our previous trip.

I touched my throat, pausing when I reached the egg pendant mixed in with a conglomeration of other necklaces and chains. Genies loved their jewelry, so I’d figured a whole bunch tucked into my robe would draw attention away from the egg and look more normal than just one or two. Of course, the poison ring was totally invisible, hidden away in my bra.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed Lotli stealing a look at the pendant. Her gaze darted to my wrist, where a couple of my penned lines were barely noticeable. I narrowed my eyes and gave her a sly smile just to let her know she’d been caught, then pulled my hood closer around my face.

A searing pain knifed through my guts, sharp and unrelenting as if someone were raking my intestines with red-hot claws. I hunched forward as one excruciating contraction surged into the next. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to straighten up.

I sliced a look at Lotli. With a sly smile that mimicked the one I’d given her a second ago, she plucked at her flute, one fingernail jabbing at the section wrapped with my hair.

Another wave of pain knifed inside me, stopping as she lifted her finger. She might have sworn an oath to Zea that made it impossible for her to not do as he commanded, but clearly that didn’t prevent her from torturing me. Still, I wasn’t done yet. It was time to take my pretense at having abilities a bit further, and get more reassurance while I was at it.

Keeping my face expressionless, I casually drew my dagger and held it out toward Lotli, handle first.

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