Page 9 of Lies That Bleed
Anika tipped her head over to front of the bus, where seven people were huddled and talking. “We want to keep our alliance small, but we have room fortwo more people. We plan to sleep in shifts and watch each others’ back during creature fights.”
I stared at the group she had indicated. Five of them looked to be in Kohen’s gang, six including Anika, but two of them I recognized as top students at the Imperial Fleet Academy where I went to school. Roc and Alek had the power and skills of ten men combined. I sat a little straighter then, seriously considering this. But then my gaze locked with Kohen and he tipped his head as if telling me he agreed with Anika’s choice to invite me.
I snort-laughed then. “You realize I’m the heir to the emperor’s throne, right?”
She looked at me like I was an idiot. “Yeah, that’s why we want you.”
I crossed my arms and sighed. “I can’t be in an alliance with Kohen Badshah.”
It was bad enough the group was made up of mostly Imbrians. Though they were lethal and respected fighters, they could not be trusted not to slit my throat in my sleep for the retaliation my father had inflicted on their land after the Great Blackout.
Was she insane? Was Kohen insane? My fatherkilledhis father in the Blackout War. He was probably planning to poison me in my sleep.
She scrunched up her face at that. “We don’t care about politics, princess. We just want to survive the night.”
I peered at Tetra, who was picking the skin of her fingernails. Right now on this bus with heat and sunlight, everything seemed great, but when we entered The Wilds and the sun dipped over the horizon, all manner of hell would unleash and an alliance would be smart. The right alliance.
“I can’t, I’m sorry. I’m not an idiot. I know Kohen probably wants me dead,” I told her. I’d be better off tucking tail and begging Jace’s group to form an alliance.
She glared at me, teeth clenched as she leaned forward and got right in my face. “You don’t know shit about Kohen Badshah.”
Then she pushed off the seat and went back to the group, shaking her head.
Whoa.Possessive much? Maybe they were dating.
Tetra peered at me. “That was the right choice. You wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing Kohen and his gang were watching your back. It sounds like a trap.”
I sighed in relief that she agreed with me. “Maybe I should go back over and talk to Jace?—”
“Stars no! That bastard doesn’t deserve to be in an alliance with you. It’s taking every ounce of self-control I have not to shove this cane up his ass.” She shook the giant pearlescent ball of her cane in my face and I grinned.
“I love you. Please tell me you’ve started a revenge plot for when we survive this.”
She nodded. “I have. It all starts with hair remover cream in his shampoo bottle.”
I barked out in laughter, so loud that several people looked my way, including Kohen and his friends. I narrowed my gaze at him but he kept his face calm, betraying nothing. I hated when a guy was hard to read.
He broke away from his group and walked towards us, causing the breath to hitch in my throat. I grasped the hilt of my dagger and swallowed hard as he walked right over to me, looming over both Tetra and I.
“Can I speak to you privately, Aisling?” he asked.
I glanced at Tetra and she shrugged, as if saying,You’re in charge.
I sighed, curious as to what he might say.
Standing, I met him face to face, or more like face to chest because he was so tall, but he didn’t back up as one might expect and so we were inches from each other. I could feel his warm breath splash over me and inhaled the scent of cardamom and ginger.Spiced tea.The Imbrians were known for it.
After an agonizing few seconds he stepped to the side and walked over to a few empty seats. He sat first, against the window, and gestured that I sit next to him in the aisle seat.
I looked left and right, knowing this would start rumors I didn’t need. Instead of sitting, I knelt on one knee so that I was still visible to everyone. I didn’tneed anyone saying something happened between Aisling Everhart and Kohen Badshah that didn’t.
“What?” I asked in low tones.
He looked up at me with a vulnerable expression, the first time he’d let any of his cards show. “If I leave the alliance, will you join? I know you have to be careful with your image.”
I frowned. Was he serious? “Why would you do that?”
He swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple was covered by part of a snake tattoo which moved when he swallowed, and gave off some seriousI’ve been to prisonvibes.
