Page 23 of Exquisite Monster
“Then teach me those too. Surely something will work.”
“It won’t.” Gleym stood and made to pour herself another drink.
My hands curled into fists in the fabric of the robe. “Why not? Why create something so deadly to your own kind?”
“Because what good is a gesture of goodwill if it can be overcome?” She turned so quickly, eyes gold, I’d nearly forgotten the ancient beast inside her. “You are intelligent, Katalena. You can see the imbalance between our species. Unless there is a defense that is both permanent and unbreakable, there could never be any chance of equal standing. Not when dragons can kill you with half a thought.” Smoke puffed toward the ceiling. “And even if there was a way to combat it, there isn’t enough time. Scalefire binds to the dragon and tears through it. You would have mere moments to take action.”
Itboundto the dragon. That was likely more than she wanted to tell me. But it wouldn’t help me solve the problem. I was not arrogant enough to think I could create something she couldn’t. “Then I’ll learn the other healing spells. If I have a chance at saving a life, I want to take it.”
Violet eyes focused harshly on mine. “Why has your attitude changed so quickly?”
“Because you told me the truth,” I said.
Gleym laughed like it was the funniest joke she’d ever heard.
“Because you told me the truth, and now I’m telling you the truth. I had no idea whether you were merely teaching me to bide your time until you decided to end my life. Or if you were trying to drag things out until the Heirs were killed. You warned me you could be worse than the Elders—why would I assume you were trying to help me? I didn’t go searching to find thesheyten. I went searching for any way I could use to get out if you decided not to let me go.”
I placed my palm on my chest. “I am running out of time. There is no way to explain it, because I can’t feel them at this distance, but Iknowit. We are halfway across the world from where they are. I am willing to learn, and now that I know the truth, I will do whatever I can to learn it quickly. But I can’t simply stay here until I know everything you know.”
Laughing again, she relaxed. “Don’t worry, girl. Learning everything I know would likely take longer than you will be alive. But I do understand.” She paused before standing and setting her now full cup down on the table. “Rest. I must summon things and think aboutwhat knowledge is most important. When you wake, I will not take it easy on you.”
“This has been easy?”
She raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.Varíand I looked at each other after she left, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt good to hold on to lightness, even for a moment.
I was still angry and still dreading everything, but I would do this. I would learn what I needed and find them. For the first time since Andaros threw me over the edge, I felt true determination.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
________
ENDRE
Iwinced away from the ear-splitting sound of my cell door opening. The aftermath of the potion they gave us seemed to make every sense more potent. At least it did for me. Possibly because my power was still bound.
Every time I spewed out fire, it pressed against the limits of myself, aching. Now it felt like I was being ripped apart at the seams each time.
All I could do was bear it and think of Lena. She was still safe. Still alive. Though we had no idea how.
Had Idroal followed her and gone down into the falls of Evrítha to save her? Had she gotten lucky and managed to catch a rock on the way down?
Whatever it was, we were grateful.
A sharp point pressed against my throat, and I opened my eyes. I hadn’t bothered to do so. Andaros stood in front of me, watching closely. “One wrong move, dragon, and I will cut your head from your body. Don’t think about trying anything.”
It wasn’t until I felt hands undoing the chains at my wrists that I understood. They were freeing me for some reason.
Andaros is releasing me from the chains. I told my brothers.I don’t know why.
Z’s voice came back immediately, and stronger than it had been lately.Be careful.
They didn’t free me entirely, moving my hands behind my back and securing them there before they removed the mechanism they used to keep my mouth open, sealing something over it instead. They were taking no chances.
My legs barely worked as they walked me forward.
“If I had my way, I would keep all of you locked down here until we’re finished with the dragons entirely. Unfortunately, we know that doesn’t work with your kind. Have to keep you seeing the sky every once in a while or you go mad.”
That… wasn’t true.
