Page 136 of The Amber Sunburst

“Let me come with you,” he says, and every head in the room turns to him.

“What?” Alexander says. Lazarus cuts him off before he can deny anything.

“I know you’re leaving the Academy. The city, maybe. I want to come with you.”

All eyes turn to Kallias and Eudoxos then, and Lazarus can sense it. They’re the power players in the room. He’s got to get one of them on his side; then the others will follow.

So he unleashes the most powerful piece of leverage he has left.

“I know, Kallias.”

39

ZENO

“Know what?” Kallias asks, eyes narrowed in confusion.

Lazarus asking to come along is unexpected, but honestly, Zeno was going to suggest it himself. He would’ve stood up for him had someone said ‘no’.

But now Lazarus is dragging Kallias into it and Zeno knows it’s out of his hands. He just really hopes Lazarus isn’t about to do what he thinks he is.

Lazarus pushes himself up onto his feet and leans against the door, a picture of determination. “I hear them talk. About you. I know.”

Heartbreaking betrayal flashes across Kallias’ face for just a second, before it’s replaced by his usual calm.

“Are you blackmailing me?” he asks, slipping off Alexander’s bed and stalking over to Lazarus. He says it so casually he could be asking about the weather.

Lazarus looks affronted at the accusation, like he hadn’t even considered it, then he winces and says, “Yeah, I am.”

“So, let me get this straight. You’re going to tell them what you know, assuming what you think you know is even true, unless I convince them to bring you along.”

Lazarus crosses his arms. “Yes.”

Kallias bites his lip, studying Lazarus’ face. Then he smirks. “So, do it,” he says.

Lazarus’ eyes widen. “Wh—What?”

“Tell them. What’s the point of blackmail if you can’t use it?”

“Kallias is—” Lazarus starts, addressing the group. Then he stops himself and winces. “He’s…”

“Not gonna go through with it?”

“No,” Lazarus admits, then shouts, “Forms!”

Kallias inches closer, arms crossed.

“You’re not cruel enough to tell them, but you do have the gall to threaten me with it. That’s not a very favorable combination, you know. And there goes your leverage. So what’s the plan now, Lazarus?”

Lazarus’ facade of confidence drops completely. “The Priestesses will kill me. You know they will.”

“Not my problem.”

“I’ll tell the Council your plan, then. You won’t even make it to the First Arc.”

Kallias’ head tilts predatorily. “You’re gonna tell?”

“Yes,” Lazarus says, reaching a hand back for the door handle. Everyone rushes forward to stop him, but Kallias gets there first. He grabs Lazarus’ throat in one hand and pushes him against the door hard enough that the sound reverberates through the room.