AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And what if I don’t do any of this, Luna?”
Her doubt amused me. Good thing a wise man once taught me that everyone had a weakness.
“Then I will tell the oracle that you have never been in control of your own darkness, and that’s why your ice powers are ruled by your emotions. That you sent me on a chase for Reaper because you were hoping to learn how to control them indirectly from him.”
I blew her a kiss. “First rule of the Fae: strongest always wins, right?”
* * *
“Areyou sure you want to do this?”
Melody peered at me over her glasses. Dark circles rimmed her eyes. She was tired. She should be. It was three in the morning. Final results were due to houses at 3:30. Bid cards would be opened at midnight sharp the next day. Plenty of time for the Houses to make their final selections and prepare their House for the celebration.
Her question asked to every freshman that came to her tonight carried the doubt and uncertainty that had plagued me for months. I saw Cordelia come in before me, trembling and scared. I didn’t have to worry about Hunter because, according to Gaksi, he was in the infirmary, too damaged to move. Any other men involved in the slaughter had been taken out by the gumiho, Ninetails. Reaper had broken so many bones he wouldn’t be able to walk again for at least another year. I decided it would be best not to visit or send flowers. The last thing I’d want is to set him off again. His recruitment guide had made him write down his answer on a piece of paper that was thrown into the machine earlier.
The clock ticked behind her in the dimly lit room, reminding me that the time had run out.
“Once I submit your final selection to the machine, it cannot be reversed.”
I clasped my fingers together. For the first time in months, they were free of any extra emotion, tingling, or threatening. My hands that only I could control.
“I’m sure.” And I was. For the first time since coming here. I was sure.
I handed her the slip of paper with my final selection.
My year’s worth of work.
My suicide bid.
All or nothing, for my one and only choice.
The machine behind her clicked and whirred, and I knew the Anitkythera had accepted my bid without complaint.
ChapterThirty-Seven
THE ORACLE MUSINGS
Enjoy bid day, everyone! No bloodthirsty demons will be returning to slaughter for several months: my starborn lovers (as predicted in the first column of this year, let me remind my doubters) will frighten away any future carnage.
Another successful reading delivered. Oracle love and all of mine!
I saton my lawn chair, unbothered, while girls around me wiggled and fidgeted. Our bid cards sat underneath our chairs, and Melody threatened to kill us if we dared open them prematurely.
Dad’s white gifted dress swayed gently with the wind. I was happy that I wore Dad's dress today as a reminder of home, even though every other girl wore a similar one. Each of us went through our own journey to get here, despite any appearance of conformity.
I swatted my hair out of my face. I skipped concealer today to focus on eyeliner and lip gloss—accentuating rather than covering up—and the wind blew my hair into my face, catching strands in my lip gloss.
Energy buzzed through the open space. There were fewer of us than I thought. Our numbers must have dwindled substantially because there were barely enough freshman spots to fill up half the Diamond. Even classes had plenty of leftover seats.
I made it, even when others didn’t.
The Diamond's center was reserved for freshmen, with each house claiming the closest corner. They waved massive signs made of magic, screaming chants for their Houses.
“3…2…1…open!”
Screams lit up the air.
When I opened my card, it transformed into a rose.
