Page 8 of Barbi and the Villain

“Ready, PomPom?” I murmur to my cute little baby. She lets out a small yap as she nestles closer to me.

I open the book to the first page, a map of the continent of Akkaya, followed by another map of the capital city, Kiya.

In the last book, the Five Mages had entered the Kiya Tournament, the most prestigious competition for mages in the entire continent. It had been their chance to prove themselves to the citizens who were still doubting them. Unfortunately, the book had ended with them entering their first battle as a group. Ever since then, I’ve been a nervous wreck thinking something might happen to them. But they’re the protagonists. The author wouldn’t be so heartless as to kill anyone off, right?

Although…

I bite my lip as anxiety ricochets through me.

There have been instances in which beloved side characters have been killed off. The fandom had been in uproar, with two camps coming out of it: one defending the author’s decision and the other blaming it. The latter camp had taken to writing fan fictions in which the characters were still alive and well. But that shows the author doesn’t shy away from drastic decisions.

“They’ll be fine, right, PomPom? The author wouldn’t kill a main character,” I scoff aloud.

PomPom doesn’t reply, which only makes my pulse thrum in my veins harder.

The urge to slip the book to the end to make sure all my babies are safe and sound is overwhelming. But I can’t.

A deep breath.

I can do this. I can read in order, as intended.

Clammy fingers fight to turn the page. My breathing grows quick and shallow as I read the heading and the first lines.

Chapter One

The Continent of Akkaya is on the brink of extinction. A plague has ravaged the lands, killing almost half of the population. The disease presents as a red rash followed by bleeding from all orifices that ends with the death of the infected within hours. The rate of transmission is frightening, with only one scratch necessary for the infection to be passed from person to person.

Cities have been abandoned, looted, destroyed.

There is only one sanctuary left—Kiya. The capital city has become a fortress against the disease, and the last true mages its defenders.

They are the last hope Akkaya has for a cure.

If the disease doesn’t get to them first.

I stop for a moment, my eyes wide with disbelief.

Wait, what?

Where is the continuation from the Kiya Tournament? How did we get from the middle of a competition to a plague that killed half of the population? Is there a time jump?

“This isn’t right, PomPom.” I frown. “It doesn’t say anywhere that it’s a time jump.”

She shakes her head, agreeing.

Before I can stop myself, I flip through the book in search of answers.

PomPom suddenly becomes alert, barking at me.

“Down, PomPom. I need to figure this out,” I tell her, trying to shush her with one hand while flipping the pages with the other.

PomPom becomes increasingly more distressed, her barks intensifying.

“Shh, baby girl. It’s okay. What got into you?” I murmur with a frown.

But just as I press my palm on top of a page to keep the book from closing, an odd feeling envelops me. There’s a deafening sound in my ears. The ground quakes, the walls of the house trembling. My eyes widen in shock.

An earthquake? Here? Now?

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