Page 140 of Inception

“On the surface it appears that you are, yes, but your blood...” he trailed off, wiping the corner of his mouth as he searched his mind. “It speaks of different origins. An Ancient I have not encountered for many centuries.”

“An Ancient?” I flinched at the word. “I’m seventeen years old. There’s nothing ancient about me.”

His eyes thinned as he took that in. “Interesting.”

“Why is thatinteresting?”

A cunning smile formed on his mouth, tugging at the corners like a dirty secret. He knew something—something aboutme—and by the looks of it, it was something big.

I stepped in closer. “Tell me what you know. Right now.”

His expression darkened. “You stake me so callously yet you dare stand in my presence and make demands?”

“It was an accident—a knee jerk reaction,” I lied.

“One that you will pay for with your life!” shouted the man holding Taylor hostage. Cheers broke out around him. They were out for blood.My blood.

Engel held up his hand once again to silence them. “It appears the crowd desires restitution.”

I swallowed hard.

“Surely you didn’t expect to leave here with yourlife?” he said, kneading his palm over his puncture wound.

“Well I didn’t exactly think it through.”

“Clearly,” huffed Dominic.

I shot him a surly look. It was obvious he had no intention of helping me get out of this mess. Heck, he was probably enjoying every minute of my impending demise. I was in this alone and I had to think fast.

There was only one thing to do. I needed to make myself useful to him again. If he thought I was dispensable, he would dispose of me without question and I couldn’t let that happen.

I turned back to Engel, my eyes forged in remorse. “I’m no good to you dead,” I pointed out self-servingly. “I can make it up to you. I can make it worth your while.”

“I’m listening.”

“You came here for the Amulet, right? Well I know where it is. I can get it back for you.” I knew I was making a deal with the devil but I was desperate. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

“It is,” he nodded. “And to acquaint myself with you, of course.”

“Why?” I flinched back, disturbed by this unfortunate turn of events. “I’m nothing. I’m just a girl.”

“That is as far from the truth as one could get. A rare magical being is amongst us,” he crowed, turning to the men behind him now. “One whose blood can cease death.”

His men cheered in excitement.

“What makes you so certain it was because of her?” argued Dominic. “I’ve tasted her blood before. There was hardly anything exceptional about it.”

Liar, I thought. I clearly remembered him blissfully staggering around like a complete drunk.

“I’ve dethroned more than my share of Slayers,” said Engel, proud of his past conquests. “I know a Slayer’s blood, and that, old friend, is not one.”

“Then you know what she is?” asked Dominic.

He smiled secretively. “Time shall do the telling.”

“So you’re not even sure?” I jumped in, grasping at what little hope remained. “This could all be some random coincidence and have nothing to do with meormy blood. There’s a million possibilities—”

“All of which I intend to explore.”

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