Page 81 of Godslayer
Perhaps I did begin this journey as nothing but a courtesan in the story. But that doesn’t mean I have to remain the courtesan. Stories change.
I could… simply… write a new story.
And my story begins with power.
Feeling rested, and slightly more myself, I walk over to the door, grab the handle, and pull—ready to go find Finn and demand that I be a part of whatever deal is being brokered.
Of course, it’s locked.
Because when you invade a god’s private space, get an up-front look at all his sinister secrets, and then, just as he’s about to convince your Godslayer that he’s part of some bigger plan, you rain on said god’s parade—of coursehe locks you away in a tower. Even if I am only on the second floor.
Old Jasina might’ve gotten upset about this.
But new Jasina finds it… predictable.
And I’m mad at myself for falling into the trap that the god so perfectly laid out for me.
To my dismay, the swarm of butterflies have followed me over to the door and begin to swirl around me in a sort of slow-moving cyclone.
I’m about to shoo them away, my hand raised in the air, when I notice that the tip of my pointer finger is glowing bright cyan-blue. In fact, there’s so much spark condensed into the tip of this finger, little bits of static are crackling off it, reaching into the air.
Power.
I look at the door. At the lock. Then at the tip of my finger.
Power.
On instinct only, I reach out and touch the brass plate of the door handle with the tip of my sparking finger. Instantly, the blue static transfers from my fingertip to the metal and I hear a small click.
My laugh comes quick with the realization of what’s just happened.
Well. Would you look at that.Power.
A knocking at the door startles me backwards and instantly, the spark that was all around me is gone. I blink at the door, confused.
“Miss Bell.” Immediately, I recognize the muffled voice from the other side of the door. Xi.
“Yes?” I say.
“I have a delivery for you as well as a message. May I come in.”
I open the door and find the god wearing a small smile and holding a large garment bag. I pull myself together, straightening my shoulders and tipping up my chin. “Hello. What can I do for you… Xi.” It feels weird to call him by his name, but he hasn’t told me to call him, ‘His Lordship,’ or anything like that, so first name it is.
His smile remains exactly in place while he holds the garment bag higher. “I have brought you a dress.”
I peek around the god. “Where’s Finn?”
“He’s busy at the moment, which is why I’m making this delivery in person.” He shakes the bag now, trying to lure my attention to it.
I don’t even nibble at that bait. How cheap does he think I am? “Do you have a time when he’ll be finished? I’d like to talk to him.”
“This is why I’m here,” Xi says. “I’ve arranged a date for the two of you.”
I cock a hip, cross my arms, and roll my eyes. “I’m sure you have.”
His response is a quizzical look. “Have I done something to annoy you?”
I nearly snort. “Stop playing with me like a mouse. You know perfectly well what you’re doing.”
