Page 81 of Immortal Sun

Suddenly he’s in front of me, grabbing me by the hair and shoving me against the tree. “Every night, you’ll be mine. That’s the cost. Your blood. Your life. Your body. Your soul. And maybe, I’ll dive down into the depths of this tree and save him.”

Tears burn my eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“Daggon could tell you, maybe even Enki, but really it’s best that it comes from me.” His mouth finds my neck, lips inch up my skin until they caress my ear. “Everything must be sacrificed. I still feel him, his presence, his pulse, but if you don’t give yourself over, then it might disappear.”

I try to shove him.

He doesn’t move.

“What the hell!” I yell. “I’m a person! This is illegal, and you belong in prison!”

He grins, forcefully gripping my chin with his right hand. “It’s good to get reminded of why I do this, of all the reasons I hate it and am going to see it through. You’ll be the last. Count yourself blessed, lucky, whatever you want to call it. The end is coming, and it’s going to be because of you. Don’t worry, though, it’s more fun in the dark. The light is full of lies, after all.” He shoves away from me. “Go read. And remember that it’s a kindness I’m letting you learn so much before the end, think of it as a thank you, I can’t wait to hear ‘Thank You’ fall from those swollen lips. Maybe I’ll reward you again for being so thankful for my kindness.”

I want to kick him.

He winks at me and then looks away again like he feels guilty, the sea roars behind him like it’s pissed.

I feel the same.

Wild. Angry. Unsettled.

“Run along,” Cyrus says.

Rat throws one of his nuts at Cyrus’s shoe.

Cyrus picks it up, looks at Rat, and pops it in his mouth. “Generous.”

Rat squeals and runs off, leaving me on my own.

Staring at a man I know I can’t escape. He was right. Where would I go? And who would believe me anyway?

Ra was one of the most powerful gods in Egyptian mythology.

Impossible.

I don’t have any choice. I can run, but I bet he’d find me.

I have next to no money, thanks to school and how expensive life is. And the police department seems to be the type that’s most likely owned by Cyrus in the first place.

And now Cyrus is claiming to know where Jake is.

I need to think.

I turn on my heels, hating the sound of the bell as it rings with each step I take back toward the warehouse.

“They always sound different,” he calls after me. “Depending on who wears them. Yours screams of sadness and a fate you can’t escape.”

“Bells don’t talk.” I take another step.

His chuckle is infuriating. “I beg to differ. Enjoy your research, Cleo.”

I say nothing and walk off, the sound of my damn bell my only company as I make my way through the dark hallways.

CHAPTER 19

CYRUS

“He with a short knife must try, try again.” —Vapnfiroinga, ch.7

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