Page 32 of A Sword of Shadow and Deceit

This particular mission is a rarity. I have to wonder if it’s even real, or if it’s something else entirely—perhaps a test set about by Ophelia. Yes, that would make the most sense. Why else would she even consider sending me into the lion’s den? She knows me. She knows what I’m capable of. Still, there’s a small ember of hope that swells within my breast, reminding me of all I could have if this job is, in fact, real. If it is, and I do manage to get that four million denza, then I can walk away from this life. I can leave assassination behind and be myself again. I can leave people entirely and live in peace in the Hinterlands.

The yearning for freedom is poignant. It’s irresistible to someone like me. I grit my teeth and shake my head as I rid myself of those worldly desires. What I need to do now is focus on the men in front of me. I’ve already let my mouth take control. It’s pointless now to act the part of the subservient worshiper. Besides, I’ve learned from experience that keeping one’s mouth shut is only for certain occasions. I can’t let these men think I’ll be easy to get rid of, not if I’m going to find my target—if there is one—and buy back my freedom.

“Then feel free to consider me unusual,” I say with a polite smile.

“What is your name, Terra?”

I stiffen, but return my attention to Theos at his question. “Are you usually forgetful, Master Theos?” I ask. “Should I make a note to remind you of your schedule as well?” There’s a fine line between careless words and subversive insults and I walk it with confidence.

A puckered V develops between his brows as if he’s confused by my question. If I had to guess, I expect it isn’t so much that he’s forgotten, but more so that none of them had been paying attention in the first place.

I sigh. “My name is Kiera Nezerac,” I repeat.

“Nezerac?” Ruen repeats the surname. “A nomad?”

I look back at him. “Yes. I was.” It’s a simple answer, one that offers no other explanation and no apology. His brow furrows further.

“You wish to take part in the bet, little human?” The green-eyed Mortal God moves forward, bypassing his golden-haired brother who stiffens and sways forward as if he means to stop him. Interesting. Is it concern for me or for his brother? A beat passes before Theos grits his teeth and falls back on the soles of his feet once more without stopping him, though his eyes continue to track his brother across the room as Kalix approaches me.

For some reason, as I stare into the glowing mossy color of his irises, I have the distinct feeling that I’m meeting the same eyes of a vicious and deceptive snake. The outside may appear human, his face may be cut into a beauty that is purely Divine, but his pupils are narrow, shaped almost like slits. Inside this man, there lies, with cunning patience, a venomous creature ready to swallow me whole, and I have to be very careful not to become his prey.

Kalix towers over me in height, covering me in his shadow. He smiles, his upper lip pulling back to reveal sharp canines. I blink, swearing for a moment that they seem longer than normal, but when I look again, they don’t appear any different from anyone else’s. There’s an air of tension in the room. Ruen and Theos say nothing, but I can sense their rapt attention on their brother.

I can be contentious as a person. I know that, but have I made a mistake in assuming these three would walk all over someone with a more submissive personality? My heart beats wildly in my chest and I swear they can hear it—that he, Kalix, can hear it and he’s pleased by the sudden shift in the room.

“If I’m the reason for the bet, then why not?” I offer and my mouth tastes of dust as I force the words to sound calm.

The answer must incite him if his growing smile is anything to judge by. “I think we should let her,” he says, directing his words to the others, though his gaze never leaves my face. “It’s been so long since I’ve been this intrigued.”

The rapid pulse of my heart slows until it nearly stops. My blood rushes through my ears. Too late, I realize that intriguing this man is probably a bad idea. Appearing weak, though, doesn’t seem like a better option. To the three of them, I am a mouse caught in a lion’s trap and the only way to get out without being eaten or scarred by their claws is to do that very thing—heighten their intrigue.

Theos groans. “The last time you were intrigued, you made a Terra go insane.”

My eyes cut to Theos. That comment would scare me—it would if I didn’t already know that sometimes being insane is the only way you can survive. I do not pity the deranged. I understand them. “If you order me not to, I wouldn’t dare take part in your bet, Masters,” I say.

“If we order you not to?” Bright golden eyes settle on me. Theos looks as if he’s swallowed a lemon whole and the damn fruit has peeled itself open in his gut, scouring his insides with its acidity.

I offer a smile in response. “Of course.” I nod. “I understand that it would be disgraceful for a Terra such as myself to challenge her Mortal God Masters. It was inconsiderate and presumptuous of me to insert myself. I beg for your forgiveness.”

Eyebrows raise all around. Kalix’s expression turns to one of absolute glee. “You think yourself a challenge?” he asks. “So sure you’ll win?”

I blink, feigning innocence. “Master, it would be disrespectful of me not to consider all of the options. While I do say you three have much higher chances than I of winning this game as you are its creators, it would be the height of arrogance to assume that anyone—Mortal God or mortal alike—has absolutely zero chance of winning.” Like dancing on a fucking tightrope, I scan their faces, waiting for their response. Ruen’s face is all shadow and darkness. A telltale twitch pulses in Theos’ forehead. “I wouldn’t want to tread on that territory if making bets with mortals is too risky,” I finish in my feigned polite tone.

Three sets of eyes, one gold, one green, and one blue, settle on me. It takes considerable effort not to smirk. I honestly don’t know how I manage to withhold it. Regis has always warned me that my mouth will get me into trouble someday. That day just might be today.

Apparently, using that Divine pride of theirs proves to be the perfect tactic, though. “Fine then,” Theos growls. “Let the little Terra play. Perhaps once she’s lost we can borrow a Terra or two from the others to clean our rooms. It’ll be far more amusing to watch this one break.”

“Enough that I can do as I please?” Kalix asks, excitement clear in his tone as the corners of his lips turn up further. Were I truly mortal, fear would no doubt be skittering through me. That smile of his is unsettling. What pleases others no doubt has little effect on him, and something tells me the grotesque is what he enjoys. It is, after all, a good thing for a mortal to have their fight-or-flight reflexes. Right now, that half of me is screaming to run.

As much as I don’t want to ignore it, I do. There’s no leaving now. I’ve already passed the point of no return. Already they must sense the difference in me. I resist the urge to cup the back of my neck where the shard of brimstone rests beneath my skin. The spot there tingles as if in response to my thoughts, an illusion likely. Whenever I think about it, I feel as if the stone comes alive, a creature shrouding me from all prying eyes as much as it ties me to one person in particular. Another reason Ophelia had forced it upon me—it mutes Divinity not just in strength but in the eyes of those who would figure out what I am just by looking at me.

“Within reason,” Ruen snaps before Theos can respond, shaking me from my internal thoughts. “No killing.”

I look at Kalix at that statement. I grind my teeth to keep myself from reacting. No doubt, Ruen isn’t telling me that. He likely believes me incapable of such an act, but it also makes me wonder. I doubt they truly care about the lives of those they deem beneath them. So, why the no killing rule then? It’s a curiosity that might just stay a mystery.

Kalix doesn’t seem too put out by Ruen’s demand. In fact, his eyes flick back to me and sharpen, glittering with intensity. “That’s fine,” he replies. “Killing her would mean this game ends far too soon.”

“Are there any other stipulations?” I inquire, keeping my tone even and unbothered. Theos stares at me. There’s a bubble of something in my stomach that lights up when I think of how easy and amusing it’ll be to prove these bastards wrong. It’s been a long damn time since I’ve let myself have a little fun. Deep down, I know I should retract my interest in this game of theirs and take several steps back, but I find that I can’t. They aren’t the only ones intrigued, and perhaps this will reveal the real Academy rules more so than the Terra orientation ever could. There’s bound to be a difference between what’s written into law and what is actually enforced.

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