It feels as if the weight of the whole world is on my shoulders.
I know I must do it. There’s no other way.
Before, it used to be about me and revenge. Giving King Francis what he deserved for murdering my family in cold blood. But now…
Vera’s life depends on me.
Jax’s future is bound to mine.
The Caligos shadow threatens to pull millions of innocent people under their iron fist.
And I’m the only one who can do something about it.
So, I bite the inside of my cheek hard enough I taste blood, close my eyes, and repeat the process all over again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
VERA
Once again, Reizei keeps me isolated for days, or maybe weeks, on end. I’ve got no clue.
It’s on purpose, I know.
It keeps me stuck in the nervous loop, always vigilant about when the next round is coming. Wondering about what other methods of breaking me he has in his toolbox.
I’m sure the next round will be worse than my imagination can conjure.
It takes me ages to dry after the waterboarding. In my cell, I’ve got no blankets, so I tremble uncontrollably until cold becomes part of me. It settles in my bones. In the very heart of my soul.
By now, I know my cell by heart. I know exactly how many stones are on each wall. How many cracks. I am well familiar with every inch of cold, damn floor under me.
With my hands tucked under my cheek, I lie on my side. Kitajo’s face is inches away from mine. His breath tickles mycheeks. He feels so real. I’m dying with longing to touch him, but I don’t dare. I don’t want him evaporating.
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.
Kitajo frowns. “What for, my love?”
“For talking you out of the idea to execute any and all Ezkai and Dzuni families associated with Caligos,” I say with a sigh. “If I hadn’t been on my moral high horse, you may still be alive. Maybe I wouldn’t be here either.”
Kitajo chuckles. “Don’t. We are where we are because the spirits of the gods will it that way.”
I frown. What sort of bullshit is that?
He never spoke like this before.MyKitajo never left anything up to the spirits of the gods, or fate.
“Besides, what sort of legacy would I leave if I started executing my people? You were right.”
I smile to myself. That’s more like it.
“Fighting violence with violence only breeds more violence,” he says.
“Violence is the only language they understand,” I croak. “The new Ezkai General is chosen through violence. Our society is built on it.”
Kitajo smiles. “The Order of Ezkai is about controlled violence used at the right moment, for the right reasons. We’re not cruel. We’re not barbaric.”
“Maybe Phoenix is right. She doesn’t hesitate. You should have seen the way she slit Daegel’s throat. If she hadn’t, things would be looking so much worse right about now.”
Kitajo considers my words. “She’s ruthless.”
