Page 61 of Empire of Death
Hawk stepped into the room in his full battle armor, like he’d been with the commanders down at the military barracks. “Didn’t sleep last night?” He pulled out the chair across from me and took a seat, his enormous blade visible over one shoulder.
My eyes flicked to him when I came back to reality. “I did.”
“Then why do you look like shit?”
Because one night of sleep wasn’t enough to recover from my trip to the world of darkness. My body was as tired as I’d been after my three-day trek across the sea in that little sailboat. I felt like I’d survived a battle when the time spent with Hawk in this world was practically leisurely. “I guess it wasn’t enough.”
He glanced down at my chili then back at me again. “Are you going to eat it?”
I didn’t look at the plate before I slid it across the table toward him. “Went cold a long time ago. I’m sure they could make you a fresh batch.”
With his elbows on the table, he started to eat. “Rather not waste it.”
My father always told us tales about the deep frosts of his childhood, when food became scarce. It hadn’t happened often in my lifetime, but we knew food wasn’t always in abundance, so we never wasted what was given to us.
“We’re enlisting new soldiers. The ships and cannons are being prepared for battle. Everyone in the village knows war is coming, so they’re making their preparations as well. Some are choosing to flee to the valley.”
“That’s their right.”
“I think it’s treasonous.”
“They’re just trying to do what’s right for their families.”
“It’s dishonorable.”
“I don’t want someone who lacks heart in this battle. They’re just going to surrender or get cut down anyway.”
“Anyone who refuses to fight in the Empire Colonies is executed.”
“And King Ithaca is an asshole, so there you go.”
Hawk ripped off more pieces of bread and dragged them through his soup before he devoured it. “If I were king, I’d do things differently. But I respect that you’re in charge, so if that’s what you want, so be it.”
“Thank you.”
He examined me across the table as he ate his soup. “Anything else on your mind?”
“I know the element that will heal Father. But I have no idea where to find it.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Platinum. It’s like steel but brilliant like a diamond.”
“And how did you figure that out?” he asked, his voice a little more aggressive.
Any lie wouldn’t be a suitable explanation, so I told the truth. “He told me.” It was getting harder to pretend my heart wasn’t committed to his. That I didn’t fantasize about a life with him that I would never have.
Hawk remained stiff as his eyes locked on my face, absorbing that information with distinct displeasure. “He told you what, but not where?”
“He doesn’t know the location of where it can be found.”
“And you believe him?”
It was hard to keep a straight face, not to let my offense turn my face red. “Yes. Why would he choose to be helpful, but only partially?”
“I don’t know…maybe because he’s the god of the underworld? Because he’s a demon who takes the souls of innocent people?—”
“Hawk.”
