Page 16 of Riftborne
CHAPTER 6
The news hitme like a shockwave.
They were alive.
I slid down the wooden beam, my arms instinctively wrapping around my knees. The General’s presence became an afterthought.
I breathed in deep, feeling my body melt into the floor. Tension evaporated with my exhale and my face fell into my palms.
The brink of death—those words echoed in my mind. Not dead. The subtle distinction gnawed through me like a dull knife.
The girls had tormented me for nearly my entire life, and there were countless times I wished for their death, but I didn’t want to be the one to commit the act. Perhaps I didn’t really want them dead at all.
Sitting in silence for a few seconds longer, I let myself adjust to the relief. It felt foreign.
The General's laugh billowed through my thoughts, dragging me back to reality. “And don’t worry. No one knows what you did. It’s our little secret. Well, except for my little resurrectionist team. They know, obviously, but they won’t be mentioning that to anyone.”
“What? Why–” I stammered, confusion blasting through my short-lived peace. I found my balance as I stood. My head shot in his direction. A callous smirk returned to his face, but his eyes remained sharp, calculating. Like he was searching for some silent answer in my expression.
“Why would you do that?” I repeated in a low tone. I felt a sinking feeling in my gut as the realization settled over me.
Someone like him only helped people like me when they wanted something.
“I’m happy you asked.” He moved his hands behind his back as he sauntered towards me. “When I saw what you did. What you were capable of. I knew you were different. Special even. It's not something one comes across often, a gift such as yours. It could be useful to me…”
Gift?
Had this man not heard anything I’d said?
“Useful to the Isle,” the General continued. “I preside over a Faction of our Guard that is trained in special combat. I’d like to train you to use your focus properly. And I’d like you to join the Guard. Faction Venom.” He turned to look at me, eyes gleaming with something terrifying.
Seriously?
Tension filled the air, and it needed a release.
A laugh escaped me in almost desperate waves. I couldn’t help it. He had to be joking. Was he a fucking madman? It was perhaps the most preposterous thing I’d ever heard.
“I fail to see the humor, Riftborne. Enlighten me.” His voice took on a new edge.
I paused. He was serious.
My head began to shake as I shot him a confused look, an exhausted kind of exasperation still pulling at the corners of my eyes.
“Why? So everyone in your little platoon can get their brains juiced the second I lose my temper?” I asked, my voice likequicksilver. In what world would I want to be a part of the Sídhe Guard? Did he forget I was aRiftborne? For all I knew, his father could have killed my own. Not that I had any way of finding out. The Guard was thorough in their burning of records from that time.
He glared at me before clicking his teeth.
“How fast you forget the favor I so graciously afforded you. Covering up your attempted murder was no easy task.”
The arrogant smirk had returned to his lips.
The idea was so ridiculous that logic or reason completely evaded me. I opened my mouth, then closed it
“It’s your choice.” He paused, cracking his knuckles. “I mean… I can’t force you. If you’d rather face the consequences of your actions, then that can certainly be arranged. It would be unfortunate, of course. A waste of potential.” He shrugged.
As tempting as it might have been to finally control this curse inside me, being blackmailed into doing so made my mind want to release itself on his. Perhaps he’d like to see myfocusmore intimately…
“I need your answer before the weekend is over. I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.” He winked.Winked.
