Page 116

She hasn’t said a word this entire time, a look of stubborn determination on her face. That’s not good. I have to find a way out of this.

“After all these years of my service to the council, this is how I’m repaid?” Kai says, his voice calm.

“You’ve done well for us, but that was a long time ago. At this point, I can’t help but feel like you’ve lost your purpose as to why you are here,” Gregor responds.

“I did what I was told, I found him. I was told to report when I had something to report. This book is the best lead I have.”

“No need to lie, Kai; that book isn’t the only lead you have, is it?” Gregor quirks a brow.

“What is he talking about, Kai?” Alok asks, stepping toward the both of them.

“Oh, he hasn’t told you. I would think that you were smart enough to put the pieces together,” Gregor responds sarcastically.

“I wasn’t sure,” Kai admits.

“Sure of what?” I ask.

“That you are variants,” Gregor says proudly. Then to Kai, “I think you’ve known for a long time. Have you been babysitting until one of them awoke?”

“No, I genuinely didn’t even know it was an actual possibility,” Kai says, putting his hands up.

“Can someone please provide some context?” My voice is filled with frustration.

“I would never sully myself speaking to something like you,” Gregor says.

“Variants are unstable creatures, beings of mixed heritage with great power. Usually the result of a titan and a human, variants are rare. And they don’t live long without transcending.” Kai has said something similar before.

He looks at me, his brows pulling together.

It’s true then; Calli can live.

“We’re done talking,” Gregor speaks up. “It ends now.”

This is not how it ends. There’s still one more thing I can do.

I turn to grab the dagger off the ground when I hear Kai scream.

“No!” I turn to see Gregor quickly pivoting to Calli.

Alok lunges at Gregor, channeling a surge of air that whirls around them. The wind gathers, twisting into a focused vortex as Alok locks Gregor in a hold and slams him to the ground.

The force of the air tunnels through the room, amplifying the impact and scattering loose papers and dust in its wake.

“Get her the fuck out of here!” Alok says, straining.

I quickly move, grabbing the grimoire then Calli.

“I can stand,” she says, slowly getting up.

“I love you, but now is not the time to be stubborn.” I pick her up in my arms.

I start for the door when Gregor twists out of the hold and elbows Alok in the face, freeing himself. Kai raises a hand, summoning the marble tiles from the floor around him. They rip free and hurtle toward Gregor in a barrage, shattering against his face and body. Gregor lets out a frustrated growl as he lifts his hands, and the flying tiles crumble into dust midair. Before Kai can react, Gregor is in front of him, punching the side of his head with such force that the blow sends Kai crashing to the ground.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Gregor says, as he grabs Calli by the hair and tears her out of my arms, pushing me back to the center of the room.

“Let me go, asshole!” Calli says, gritting her teeth.

He tangles his hand further into her hair and lifts her head up to face him as she screams out in pain.