Page 58 of Tower of Tempest
“It’s an interesting theory,” I said slowly. “But it can’t be right.”
Emory crossed her arms, a challenge in her stare. “Then what do you think?”
I shrugged helplessly. “I’m clearly not as well versed as you are. I’m not a historian or a scholar, but I do read a lot, and I know the leading theory is that those of the Old World became disobedient, used their powers to engage in conflict and war, and it displeased the spirits. So they destroyed the Old World and then disappeared to Galaysia, where they still reside today waiting to greet those who come there in death.”
She snorted. “You think the spirits would just stay away in the spirit world? They’d miss the opportunity to be worshipped and adored by thousands and thousands of people?” She shook her head. “No, not likely.”
Curiosity got the better of me. “So did you actually see the bolt before you got arrested for trespassing?”
She frowned. “No, I didn’t.”
“Did this mysterious rival of yours get it?”
Her lips flattened into a thin line. “No. He’s the one who baited me into doing something stupid. He’s the reason I got caught.”
She spoke of him with so much hatred I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Who is he? This rival of yours?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve never seen his face, but he’s known as the bone collector.”
A shiver ran down my spine at that name.
“He’s gone after a lot of the same objects as me. It’s become somewhat of a game between us, a game I have no interest in playing. As if my life isn’t hard enough, I don’t need someone to—” She stopped herself. “Anyway, like I said, I’ll be out of here soon enough and then hopefully I can try again, this time without any distractions.”
This woman was such a wonder. I found myself fascinated by her, by her life. “How do you even begin to find these objects? It sounds like they’re hidden, not easy to locate.”
At that she smiled. “I’m a bit of a history aficionado. I love digging into thepast, reading about legends and lore, finding clues. It’s a passion of mine. I’m good at finding things that are hard to find.”
Curiouser and curiouser.
“Well, I’m glad to have met you, Emory, and to have gotten to hear your theories on the Seven Spirits. It’s very interesting. You’ve helped distract me from the horrors of my night.” For a short time, at least. “How do you sleep up here?” I asked.
Her smile turned grim. “You don’t, really. You attempt to. You might drift off when you’re tired enough, but something will wake you soon enough: the wind, the cold, the screams, the moans.”
I shuddered. “Perfect.”
“You’re not meant to survive up here,” she said. “The king and queen will hear your story, and they’ll decide if you’re to be punished with community work, servitude in the castle, more time spent here, in these cages, or...” Once again, she tipped her head toward the iron stakes. “It’s a fun lottery to win.”
“You’re really not afraid?” I said. “You think you’ll just be able to waltz out of here?”
She waved her hand. “Oh, I know I will. It’s just a matter of time.”
She didn’t expand on that, and just then, the black door to the tower opened, a guard marching across the glass walkway, his wings wide open behind him as the fierce gales fought against him. A heavy chain linked his belt to a bar on the side of the walkway, scraping along as he walked, keeping him safe should he fall.
Prisoners from all the cages called out to him, rattling the bars, yelling for help, but he marched with a single focus, eyes locked on me. He unlocked the door and it swung open with a creak.
I swallowed, mouth going dry. It was already time to see the king and queen? I looked up at the moon. At this time of night? Surely I wasn’t that important.
Emory turned her wide eyes on me. “Who, exactly, are you, Poppy?” she asked as the guard yanked me from the cell and started marching me toward my fate.
It was a good question. One I wished I had an answer to.
Chapter Twenty-Four
POPPY
The wind barreled into me, the guard holding my arm tight as I shook in his grasp, distinctly aware of the thin glass walkway that separated me from those iron spikes below. All it would take was one misstep, and I’d fall right onto those sharp points.
