Page 57 of The Stolen Throne
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Elimination
As if she knows I don’t need her anymore, the amulet goes cold again. The sensation is so abrupt, I almost drop my hands to check the glass. What does that mean? Is she abandoning me? Or is she like Reven, and using power drains her?
“No.” The Elimination’s voice suddenly echoes in my mind. “She is gone from me. Where is she? I have come for her.”
Come for her?
Does he know I can hear him? His voice is like sand over skin, rough and raw.
But I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on a memory of the Hollow. When that Devourer talked to me, he used similar words…sort of. Was he also there for the goddess around my neck? On that rickety ladder dangling between Wildernyss and Tyndra, when I thought it came for me, the words in my head were those of someone familiar with the person they were addressing.
“I felt her,” the Elimination says, starting to sound frantic. “I felt her and followed her to this place. She was here only moments afore. Only you are not her. You are a mere sand Hylorae.”
“You attacked to find her?” I force the words to be gentle. It probably helps that my voice is shaking, both with fear and effort.
Even though it’s held immobile, the Elimination seems to startle, strange sand eyes narrowing as it stares at me. “You can hear me?”
I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s surprised. As far as I know, humans—even Imperium—don’t normally hear them, let alone respond.
“I can.” Though at this point, goddess alone knows why.
I don’t have to look around to know the others are all glancing between me and the monster. They can’t hear it, I don’t think, but I don’t have time to explain.
The Elimination seems to search my face as if delving for answers, or the truth, or my sincerity. “I will form a pact with you, young Imperium.”
A pact?
“Release me from your hold. Answer three questions. Then I will depart this place and leave you in peace.”
Release it first? Does it think because I’m young, I’m easily duped? “How can I trust you not to attack before I can stop you again?”
“You cannot. But you have my solemn vow I will not attack.”
“What if you don’t like my answers?”
“Swear to me you shall only speak the truth. I will leave no matter what.”
“What if I don’t know the answers?” Is this going to be some kind of riddle? I’ve never been good at riddles. That’s Tabra’s strength.
“If you truly do not, that is an answer in and of itself.”
So not a riddle.
Except his answer was a bit of a riddle, so…I’m confused. Is it too naive to hope this Devourer won’t ask any problematic questions?
I make my decision.
“Do not attack unless it attacks first!” I shout over my shoulder.
“Meren?” The warning veiled as a question comes from Cain.
“It’s okay. I’m negotiating,” I try to assure him without looking.
“The hells you are.” His fear for me punches through every word.
Time to pull the queen card. “Stand down. That’s an order.”
