Page 105 of Interion

“You,” he murmured. I immediately shrank back in the armchair. “You finally came to me.”

My attention kept being pulled to his eyes, and my heart raced in my chest. I swallowed hard again, trying to keep my body still. What the hell, I scolded myself. This was the sonar, and I should show respect. I forced myself to grip the tea firmly, keeping my hands from trembling.

“Should I know what that means?” I asked, worry creeping in. No one had told me about the blood eyes. “I'm sorry, but I only came to test my level.”

He was petrified, then his expression began to change. His horrified look gave way to a wide, yellowed smile.

“You've arrived,” he said in wonder. Tears of blood streamed from his eyes.

Although he was smiling and his gestures projected calm, there was something unsettling about his presence that didn't match the facade he'd created for himself. Something frightening, ancient, and sharp—a presence that demanded fear.

“Granddaughter of the apocalypse,” he hissed. The hairs on my arm stood on end. “The angels await your ascension.”

I stood up from the armchair and set the tea on the side table—this couldn't be normal. There was no way this was the same sonar who had started the conversation seconds ago.

“No, no, don't be afraid, little scarlet. I wouldn't hurt you. Killing you would be like snuffing out the only light in a world of darkness.”

A cold breeze touched my face, and my heart would have dropped to my feet if not for the rib cage holding it in place.

No one besides my mother had ever called me that.

“How do you know that?”

I was in shock, so he stood and touched my shoulders, gently guiding me back to the armchair before sitting down himself.

“I know many things, girl. I have no eyes, but I see.” He took another sip of his tea. “And my non-eyes have told me the secrets of your existence.”

“Secrets?”

There was no way he could know about the nickname unless he'd known my mother, but that would be insane.

“Secrets of a song forgotten in your blood, but one that must be remembered. He hid you from the angels, but it's time to awaken, my little one. The world needs your strength.”

“Who hid what? I don't understand,” I said, struggling to make sense of it. His cold hands sought mine, and I shrank back, but he took them anyway, tracing a circular pattern on my palm.

“The wheels of destiny are turning. Soon the worlds will collide. Are you prepared?”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you must prepare,” he grumbled, as if it were obvious.

“For the final tests?” I asked, confused, my stomach churning at his closeness.

“For life, death, and everything in between.”

I took a deep breath and tried to calm my heart, which was pounding wildly in my chest. I inhaled and exhaled until my mind broke free from fear's grip.

“I came here to find out my power level, not to play guessing games.” The man's madness seemed to seep into my skin, sticky and treacherous.

“Your body is already prepared, but your mind is not. Perhaps I should help you with that.” He seemed lost in thought.

“What's my level?” I asked, wanting to get out of there immediately.

“Foolish questions.” He clicked his tongue in disapproval. “You should be asking about more important things. You're behind in your quest.”

“What quest?”

“For the eyes, isn't it obvious? Five of them, each from a different god, each more terrible than the last.”