Page 21 of Expose Me

“Could you look for what I’m seeking now? While we walk? So I can be on my way.”

I guessed he decided I wasn’t so useless after all. Anger and frustration bubbled up my throat until I felt like I was choking on it.

“So, you’re gonna just drop into my life, completely destroy it, use me to get what you need, and then just disappear, leaving me to clean up the mess you made?” I’d unconsciously picked up my pace, power walking as I ranted. “No! Fuck you, Zey!”

“How have I destroyed your life?” he asked, infuriatingly calm.

“My own people arrested me right along with you! They think I’m helping you in some secret scheme to destabilize the system they have to rule this shitstain of a world. Because I didn’t report in as soon as I realized what you were. Because half of gods-damned Melbourne saw me fighting my own House members and running away with you! Twelve fucking years with the House of Spirit and Sapphire and my word means nothing. Because of you! I’m going to be excommunicated if not imprisoned. My life is ruined!” I screamed that last part so loudly that some birds shot out of a nearby tree.

“I didn’t know,” Zey said, irritated. That made two of us.

“Of course not. All you care about is finding your precious trinkets and ... I don’t know ... whatever.”

“I would like to propose a deal,” he said.

“What?” I shot him a look, confused by the sudden change in topic.

“A bargain. I did not intend to create so much difficulty, Sky. I’m simply trying to do the right thing for my people. But I cannot do that without regard for you ... for you andyourpeople.”

“Get to the point, Zey.” My patience was paper thin. Like, crepe-paper-dunked-in-water flimsy.

“Help me find what I’m looking for before the Lineg get to it or to me, and I’ll help you get your life back.”

“How?” I gave him a skeptical look.

“I will go to your people willingly and answer all their questions. I’ll tell them everything—that you were not involved, that I dragged you into my mess.”

“What makes you think they’ll believe you?”

“Once I have the items I need, they won’t have a choice.”

“Ominous, but OK, then. Why should I trust you? How do I know you won’t just use me and disappear as soon as you have what you want?”

“You have my word,” he said like it was the end of the matter.

“Your word?” I scoffed.

“My people do not lie or deceive,” he said, his voice intense. “At least not the worthy ones.”

I had no idea what the hell that meant, but I also had no other options. If he held up his end of the bargain, this nightmare would be over. If he didn’t ... well, I’d be pissed, but I’d be in the same position I was in now.

I had nothing left to lose.

“Fine.” I stopped to face him fully and held my hand out. “You have yourself a deal.”

He flashed me that grin again, but it was quickly replaced with a frown as he glanced down at my outstretched hand.

“Here, when two people strike a deal,” I reached out with my free hand and grabbed his wrist, bringing it up, “they shake hands to seal it. Sometimes there is a magical binding spell involved too, but I don’t have a witch handy to cast it, so this will have to do.”

His warm hand wrapped around mine and held it firmly but gently. I pumped our joined hands up and down a few times and stilled them. For a few weird moments we just stood there, staring at our clasped hands. I felt so much calmer than I had just moments ago. It must’ve been because I’d made a decision, had a plan. Still, it was such a sudden change.

I tugged my hand back, and Zey’s hold on it tightened for a split second before he released it.

“Now let’s go and find out if I have any friends left in this world,” I said as I resumed our trek towards Braemar Castle.

Chapter7

Braemar Castle was nestled in the Scottish countryside, tucked in among rolling green hills like it had stood there just as long as the terrain around it. Multiple towers jutted into the sky, and small windows were set into the heavy stone of the structure. A high stone wall surrounded the entire compound.

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