Page 16 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
My small measure of confidence cracked. By some miracle, I maintained a firm clasp on a sliver of hope. What he offered sounded good on the surface, but it also struck me as a trap. I wouldn’t face the maddened, but I would face him on a daily basis.
“I’m sure I don’t want to be your assistant.” If the worst happened and I did, in fact, get killed, I’d rather have a quick end. A trap was just a slow way to die.
“Very well. A foolish choice, but a choice all the same.” He gave me another of those negligent shrugs, as if he hadn’t cared one way or the other, and returned the file to the cart. “The night will chew you up and spit out your bones. I would’ve kept you around.” With a cool smile, he headed for the exit, adding, “At least until you lost your flavor.”
Chapter Five
Every lie you believe is a blade at your throat, soon to strike.
—The Book of Soal1.28.4.6
I was still reeling an hour later when Dr. Korey and her assistant returned to finish my exam and administer another injection. The high prince might be long gone, but his words stayed with me.
Killed before your first excursion.
Bubble Gum.
Chew you up and spit out your bones.
My hands curled into fists.
“Did we give her aidem?” the doctor asked, looking over the vials on the medical cart and frowning.
“What’s aidem?” The question slipped out before I could run it through an Is This Smart to Say filter.
“It’s a serum that prevents glowers from—”
“Quiet,” Dr. Korey snapped, and the assistant went silent. “I told you to check something, so check it.”
Shamefaced, he swiped up the file and poked at the screen. “We did. Right before the HP entered.”
“Then we’re done here.” She removed and trashed her gloves, then headed for the curtain, only to pause and glance my way. “Did you truly decline the HP’s offer?”
Her tone said what she didn’t: Are you a fool? I licked my lips. “I did, yes.”
“Not even a month,” she muttered before striding off, her disgust clear.
“I would’ve said yes in six languages.” The assistant pulled a stack of folded clothes from a cabinet. He tossed the garments my way. “Put these on and wait in the hall. Your bag and schedule are on the counter.” With that, he too was gone.
Alone at last.My arms throbbed from the shots, and my brain had yet to recover from the encounter with High Prince Dolion. Trying to control my breathing, I studied the clothes. Green fatigues with gold stitching, similar to my old school uniform.
I dressed in the world’s scratchiest clothing and glanced over my schedule.
LadyA.R.
Monday–Wednesday
0500–0530: Wake up / Breakfast
0530–0730: Warm up / Work out (Gym C)
0800–1000: Realms and Travel (Room 2)
1010–1230: Weapons (Room 6)
1230–1300: Lunch
1300–1500: Self-Defense (Gym C)
