Page 56 of Kingdom of Chaos
“Really?” she asks, coming closer.
I nod, and point out different land masses and what they’re called on our world. Their Europe is our Eshya, Australia is Osmain, and their United States is the same as our Unified Colonies of Eldora.
“It’s so odd. Our technology seems to mirror one another, we live on the same land masses, we even speak the same language.”
Violet’s gaze drifts from the globe up to me. “I always thought of our worlds as two different places, but perhaps that’s not exactly right. It’s more like different realities or dimensions on the same world.”
I nod, telling her that’s what I was thinking as well. I ask Violet to show me where we are and where New York City is, relieved to see they’re both on the same coastline.
“Your home seems large,” I say. “Is it just the three of you in your unit?”
“Oh no. There are fifteen members total that live here in our headquarters. They’re going to be really excited. Well . . .” She pauses, then gives a small, nervous laugh. “Maybe notexcitedto meet you, but it’ll definitely be a moment they won’t forget.”
I open my mouth to ask what she means, but Tobias’ voice cuts in from the next room.
“Dinner’s ready.”
Violet flashes me a quick smile, but there’s something guarded in her eyes now, something she doesn’t say.
I don’t press. Not yet. But I make a note not to let my guard down.
Sixteen
Dinner feels oddly strained,though I can’t tell if it’s just me. We trade small talk, careful not to touch on the questions we’re all really thinking. Talon and Imogen speak just enough to avoid suspicion, but I catch them sizing up Tobias and the others throughout the meal. I’m not sure if it’s warranted or just their natural suspicion kicking in. Iwantto believe they are truly allies, but the way Tobias watches us when he thinks no one’s looking makes the fine hairs on the back of my neck rise.
By the end of dinner, my body is flagging. The aches and pains from our fight with the swamp beast are catching up with me. My joints are stiff and my eyelids heavy. It takes more effort than it should to follow the light banter floating around the table. At one point, my eyes drift shut and I pitch forward, nearly faceplanting into my half-eaten burger and fries. I jerk upright so fast my chair screeches across the linoleum floor. Everyone turns to look. Ensley, sitting across from me, barely covers a snort and grin with her hand.
Tobias takes the hint and suggests getting us settled for the night. He assures us he’ll contact the New York chapter tonight and that we’ll set off in the morning. If I weren’t so exhausted,I might argue for a delay, but right now, rest is the only thing I care about.
Before bed, we put on fresh clothes from our packs and clean up in the upstairs bathrooms, which is a welcome relief after spending all day in swamp-soaked gear. When I come back downstairs, air mattresses, blankets, and pillows are waiting for us.
We spread out around the great room, each claiming a spot. I take the couch; it’s too short for anyone but me or maybe Imogen, but she snags a twin air mattress near one of the windows. Titus and Ensley set up their beds side by side, and Talon picks a spot close to the front door.
I don’t wait for everyone to settle in. The second I lie down on the couch, I’m out, slipping into a heavy, dreamless sleep.
Until I’m ripped awake by a hand clamped over my mouth.
I lash out without even identifying my target, but someone snatches my fist mid-swing.
“Shh. It’s just me.” Talon’s breath tickles my ear and I immediately go limp with relief when I see his face hovering above me. “Follow me,” he says, and then removes his hand.
Sitting up, I find the room dark and shadowed. Only a sliver of moonlight streaming in from the open windows provides any light. My human eyes take a second to adjust, and when they do, it’s to see Talon slip from the room.
As quietly as possible, I slide off the couch and tiptoe after him. I grab my shoes from where I left them in the foyer, and together we slip out the front door into the thick, humid night. He closes the door carefully behind us, then presses a finger to his lips, signaling me to stay silent, and gestures for me to follow.
My mind is still hazy with sleep, so I don’t question anything as I fall into step beside him. The stillness is broken only by the chirps and buzz of swamp insects as we slip past the house.Overhead, the night sky stretches wide and clear, stars scattered across it just like back home.
Talon leads me into a forested area off to the side of the house, away from the main drive and hidden from view. We weave through white-barked trees until the house disappears completely behind us. Only then does he stop and turn to face me.
“What’s going on?” I finally ask, the short walk helping me shake off the remnants of sleep.
“We need to talk,” he says, and I quirk a brow as if to say “clearly.”
Folding my arms overs my chest, I wait for him to go on.
“How do you think I made it to the gate?”
I tilt my head. “I don’t understand.”
