Page 231 of Barbi and the Villain

“I will call upon you in due time. That which you want will be yours once I am convinced you have fully played your part.” She inclines her head.

Nykander nods and turns to leave.

Shock reverberates within me. He… He was pretending? But why? For what?

Realization dawns on me, the treachery of his actions stabbing my very soul.

The artifact.

He was bargaining for the artifact.

“You might fight it, but you are drawn to her. And when you fall for her as I know you will, what will you do if she finds out about your deception?” The High Priestess continues.

“I will not fall for her. There is only one female for me, and she is gone. Anything I do now is to honor her as I have vowed.”

“And yet…” She clicks her tongue against her teeth. “You forget that I can see things invisible to the naked eye. You will fall, Nykander. I just pray when you do it will not be too late.”

Nykander strides out of the cave, not bothering to look back.

Yet her words affect him, echoing in his ears and blaring louder and louder despite the increasing distance.

A foul taste coats his mouth—my mouth—the result of all the lies he spewed. But he is ready to pay any price for his revenge.

But I don’t get to witness more as the scenery changes.

Nyk is in front of me, staring at me with an odd expression in his eyes while I fold our clothes to leave the Sanctuary.

“Stay here. I need to take care of something before we leave,” he says, though the words come out of my mouth.

I remember exactly what moment this was—when he’d claimed he went to patch things up with Jeya and Elijah.

My presence remains in his psyche, yet there is still a barrier that does not allow me to read his thoughts in their entirety. I can only see what he sees–a spectator, not an active participant.

He teleports himself out of our cabin and into the woods nearby.

“You are late,” a voice calls from behind.

Nyk turns.

Shock fills me to the brim when I see who the owner of that voice is.

Damien.

“She is Lispera’s daughter. I was correct,” he says in a tight voice. “Did you find what I asked you to?”

Damien walks around with his hands in his pockets.

“And if I did? What is in it for me?”

“I have already given you plenty of souls to consume, Damien. Cut the bullshit and tell me what you found.”

Damien chuckles.

“Sure, master,” he replies in a mocking tone as he half-bows.

Nykander scowls.

“The Seer confirmed that Mo’s essence will be able to take over Barbi’s body once she enters Lake Velor.”

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