Page 29 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

I didn’t reply right away, giving the appearance that I had to think this through.

“What of the murderer?” I asked. “What if he attempts to kill Keanu again? Surely Keanu will use me as bait, as you suggested.” I frowned. “He doesn’t care for me, and I fear I must confront the truth.”

“Ae,” Kalani agreed, sounding almost sympathetic. “He has never cared for anyone. Just look at what happened to his family.”

I looked up. “What happened?”

The man laughed. “Ha, of course he wouldn’t tell you that! Don’t fall for his sweet talk, Oliana. I promise you he wines and dines those close to him, fattening them up before the slaughter.”

What was he talking about? I could not imagine Keanu doing such a thing, but then again, I didn’t know him.

Kalani suddenly looked alert, glancing around us, then leaning in to say, “I will ensure the murderer does not lay a hand on you.”

Aha! So Kalani had something to do with Keanu getting killed over and over.

“Do I have your word that you will convince your husband to join forces with me? In return, I will free you both from the curse and protect you in my kingdom.”

It sounded like a good bargain, considering I really didn’t know who to trust. But I would not agree to Keanu’s death. Or anyone’s death.

I’m not Keanu. I’m not Kalani.

Unlike those vipers who seemed to place a minimal value on existence, I was different. Keanu had willingly taken the rest of my days, and Kalani’s troops were on the borders of Keanu’s kingdom, ready to inflict death.

They don’t care about anyone but themselves.

The song ended, and the couples parted from one another. Kalani’s eyes filled with desperation as he awaited my reply. Then his expression turned to anger.

The crowd was thinning around us; the men lining up on one side and the women lining up on the other. The next song played, and Kalani had to step back.

I turned and fled into the crowd, trying to get as much distance between Kalani and me as possible. He was probably raging that I hadn’t agreed to his bargain, but that I had discovered much more.

Hurry, hurry Oli! Kalani didn’t want to make a scene, but he was still dangerous. After all, he pointed his dagger straight at me.

I comforted myself with the fact that I had gained some insight. Kalani knew more about Keanu than I did. This included Kalani's connection to the murderer and his knowledge of the riddle.

And I will not waste this information. I would leverage it against Kalani, and Keanu, if I had to.

I jumped, startled, as someone grabbed my arm. It was Keanu. His grip was firm, but he didn’t yank me the way Kalani had earlier. He pulled me into the hallway until we turned a corner, finding ourselves alone. He took both of my arms and looked me up and down, his eyes frantic.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his face too close to mine.

“What?”

“Did he hurt you? Did he touch you?”

“No. No.” I brushed his hands away, ready to lash out in anger. But Keanu looked down and breathed a sigh of relief.

Before I could ask where he was and why he didn’t protect me, he asked, “What did he tell you, Oliana?”

“Would you like to know?” Anger coated my voice.

Keanu pulled away in surprise. “Yes, of course. What did he say?”

“Where were you?” My fists clenched. “Did you know he was going to ask me to dance? Is that why you disappeared?”

The brief look of guilt told me he had indeed left me alone. “I suspected he would,” he said when I pushed him away.

“I have one month to live.” I wasn’t sure if this was the best move I should play at the moment, but the guilt on Keanu’s face made me think it might help… Maybe he’d feel so guilty about putting me in that situation, he’d tell me the truth about everything. Maybe I’d learn whether I should trust him, or turn around and take up Kalani on his offer.