Page 36 of The Souls Harvest
I open my eyes in shock, panting. My hands are sweaty, and something warm is trickling down from the corner of my mouth. I double over, spitting blood on the marble floor.
With my head between my hands, I pray for my brain to stop igniting memories like fireworks—the lift, the infinite hall, Roden tapping that damn walking stick. Memories play behind my eyes, like the scenes from Nistarei’s everyday life I witnessed on the screens.
Witnessed to their end.
All those faces. Who are we to decide?
Someone puts a hand on my back while I whisperGalenrepeatedly—my anchor. When I finally look up, I don’t see Galen’s eyes, but the swirling galaxies in Miss P’s irises. And for a moment, she’s again the sweet, wise creature I have loved and respected my whole life.
“It’s all right. The reset process can be confusing if done too many times, but you’ll be okay.” Popplewish brushes the top of myhead, and as much as I want to forget about everything and leave it all behind, a terrible presentiment weighs me down, gurgling from my guts now that she stands so close to me.
I wriggle free of her touch and put some space between us. My feet are unsteady, and my knees shake, but I can’t stand her presence. My stomach churns.
I need to open my mouth, whether to throw up or to spit accusations, and I don’t care who is watching me, about their role, or if they can harm me—too late for that anyway. “Too many times?” I blurt out. “How many times did you fuck with my brain?”
Fuck!I clench my stomach and jerk my head back up to look Evelyn straight in the eyes, digging my teeth in where my cheek split to stay alert and focused, “You are the recycling squad.”
Chapter 18 - Facing Wars
July
Ispeak again before anyone can stop me, “All these years, pretending it was all a myth and forbidding students to talk about it and research it. This is why. This is the reason. You were hiding in plain sight.”
I’m addressing every person in the room, studying their reaction, and taking a mental note of each face. A sudden need to laugh roars inside me, and my focus stops on Roden. His aura of authority quickly melts before my eyes.
“If you’ve dragged me here to end this—explain one thing to me. What do you really do with the soulsIbring back to you? Those poor Rogues,youdidn’t have time to save…What terrible power do the squads have that makes people scream in agony?” I clamp my mouth shut, but it’s too late.
“Careful with the accusations,” Nikrah Skell mutters without looking at me, distractedly observing his nails.
“What a bunch of nonsensical blabbering,” Amelia chimes in, starting to get up, her lilac eyes slicing over me.
But Nikrah places a hand over Amelia’s, his eyes fixed on me, “Stay, you’ll thank me later. I can’t wait to hear what else Miss Crimson thinks we do.” He interlaces his fingers behind his neck, leaning back in his chair as if watching a show. “Go ahead, July, tell us more.”
I ignore his arrogant comments. If I have to go, I may as well do it knowing what I’m risking my life for. I return my attention to Roden, “At least, swear you didn’t hurt Galen. He has no part in this; it was all my fault. I wanted to know—”
Before I can blurt out more details I’m not even sure they’re aware of, Nikrah sighs dramatically, “Galen, Galen, Galen. I thought you had this under control, Eve. But it sounds to me like you’ve completely let them loose this time. Great job.” He claps twice, patronisingly.
Popplewish glares at him. “Remember how and why you were allowed into the Chapter.”
Her words strike home, and Nikrah shrinks in his chair.
Ignoring more whispered comments in the background, Popplewish moves a few steps towards me, but I stretch an arm out to keep her away.
She sighs, “Oh, please, just stop being silly and listen, young lady.” She pinches the bridge of her nose.
My mouth opens, but Roden is quicker. “Not one curly hair on his head has been pulled. That much I can promise you.” He smiles, opening his arms as if to prove himself harmless. “Why don’t we start from what you think you know? I’ve heard you’ve been busy, scavenging for clues here and there, and I would like youto tell me about this video my friends here are so afraid of.”
In the background, Tydell squeals, causing Amelia to grin and Lily to grunt in exasperation. “Control yourself, Tydell. You sound like a pig ready for the butcher,” the latter hisses, giving him a sideways glare.
I stall, “How do you know about the video?”
“Ah, so there is one,” Roden clicks his tongue with satisfaction, and I silently curse my loose tongue.
“I don’t know very much,” I begin, keeping my voice steady, causing more whispering and mumbling from the Chapter.
Amelia snaps her head at Proja, her auburn bob slapping her right cheek, her lips forming a soundless word I can’t understand. But when Proja shakes his head slowly, Amelia drops the subject and returns to looking at me.
Popplewish runs a hand over the smooth side of the table, as if hoping to find the right thing to say carved on the polished wooden surface. “You can speak freely. Nobody is here to judge or harm you but to understand and rectify mistakes.”
