Page 115 of Lies of the Wicked
Thessa grimaced, knocking her knee into his.What’s your problem?
Soren’s jaw was working.I’m not sharing you, Thessa.
Her cheeks burned.
Christof interrupted their voiceless conversation, his eyes darting back and forth between them. “Are you two, together?”
They’d never talked about what they were, so that answer was ano.
“Yes,” Soren said. The word had come out crisp and clean.
Thessa swallowed.We need to talk.
Later.
Lips smashed, she held her tongue. This was the last place she wanted to discuss the matter anyway.
She was no mood-reader but the shift in Christof’s expressionwas undeniable. His ocean eyes were muddied with discontent. After an indiscernible noise, he looked to Jussal. “Let’s begin, shall we?”
“Son.” Jussal gestured to Soren.
Exhaling something other than pure air, Soren began, “Tomorrow can go one of two ways. The Supremes can take an overdue stance against their own brutality, or we can continue the hundred-year cycle and fight for our freedom. It’s their choice to make.”
“Choice?” Christof questioned him.
Thessa eyed Soren before addressing the table. “The general and I have gone back and forth on the matter, but we’re in agreement. I’ll be speaking with the Supremes first.”
A sharp, intimidating laugh escaped Christof. “Do you wish to die?”
Soren had warned her the council would consider her mad for trying, but she’d made up her mind. He let out a low growl in her defense and said, “If we need to remind them of what wicked, dark things are waiting in the woods, Christof, we’ll do just that.”
Thessa cut in, “Eiliana’s Astral Projection Spell will help menotdie, actually.” She’d perform the spell while Soren watched over her body.
Christof went still, his eyes bouncing to Soren. “So you finally found her grimoire?”
“It was Thessa who found it.”
“It’s a long story,” Thessa said, “but your daughter was brilliant.”
Christof grumbled, “Sometimes. Other times, foolish enough to get herself killed.”
Soren’s nostrils flared as wide as his eyes.
Thessa pressed a reassuring palm onto his thigh beforespeaking. “Fear isn’t something I’ll let trap me anymore.” She eyed Soren before continuing. “I say it’s worth a try.”
His hand drifted atop hers and squeezed.
Jussal spoke. “She’s right.” His tone was bright. “It’s a chance worth taking. Thessa, when will you depart?”
“Tomorrow, at sunrise.”
Christof shook his head. “This will only give them time to prepare.”
“They’ve had decades to prepare,” Soren said coldly. “And so have we.”
“So what’s your plan, general?” The disrespect in Christof’s tone was not lost on Thessa.
“We’ll be ready if Thessa’s discussion goes awry. Hiding is what we do best, so we’ll show them how well we do it. He took his finger to the map before him—an outline of the capital. Thessa recognized every corner. “All of our soldiers will make their way toward the gates and wait in these alleyways while Thessa performs the spell.”
