I run a brush through my hair and pull it back into the side, twisting it up and around the back of my head, pinning it gently to my scalp. My fingers move over a thin frail tiara made of fragile black metals, shaped and twisted into the vines. I have yet to wear anything that marks my betrothal to Death, but if I am to be here, in this place, part of whatever Kane is masterminding, I need to play the part to a tee.
I place the tiara on top of my head and pick up the stick of charcoal laid atop a satin handkerchief. I have never done my own makeup before, but it's time I become self-reliant. No matter how much I want Kane to be the soul that led me through the island, I must remember that I am the only one I can rely on during this transitional period of confusion. The only way that I can do that is by relying on my own self strength and confidence. I darken my eyes, thinking of the women, the goddesses, and the royalty that danced at the party for Kane's mother.
When I am done with that, I set it down and pick up a small jar of red stain, dipping my pinky in and spreading it across my full lips. It is blood red, and the color turns my stomach for a moment. Flashes of piled bodies and pools of blood echo through my mind. I know it's not the last time I will see a carnage of that measure, and I need to start taking it in stride. I press my lips firmly together and give myself one last look before standing and walking toward the door.
As I swing open the chamber door, a servant, the same one that had led me from the gardens stood up tall, his eyes shifting away from me. "Shall I escort you?"
I stand in front of him, staring at his strange features, and unnatural smoothness to his skin. But then again, his body is nothing but a manifestation within the confines of the Underworld. He is a soul, one with a job, but today that job is not going to be me. "No thank you. I will return later."
I head through the castle, and as usual, no one pays me much attention. I am learning to not care. I glance around the castle grounds as I skip down the staircase and hurry toward the tall hedges at the back. As I come closer, seeing no way to enter, the hedges begin to shake. The long thin branches covered in deep green leaves twist and move outward, creating a hidden doorway inside.
I don't hesitate. I walk straight through, keeping my nervousness tucked in the back of my mind. Two steps through the moving archway, a hand reaches outward and grabs my arm, yanking me to the right. My feet catch and I stumble, falling straight into Willem. I put my hands up, catching myself on his broad chest, feeling his muscles tense. His hands grip me around the waist and steady me.
For a split second, there is a flutter in my chest, the feeling I get when I am close to Kane. Willem chuckles. "Mortals. You are all clumsy as hell."
I clear my throat and get my footing, pushing away from him. My eyes shift up to his and back down as I smooth the front of my dress. "Are we free to talk openly here?"
I follow Willem's eyes back toward the archway but it is closed. "Yes. This area was originally created to give privacy to the gods and goddesses when they wished to speak without being heard by everyone else. Even Kane's magic is not strong enough to remove that enchantment."
Clearing my throat, my eyes glance up, realizing that the hedges have completely enclosed the area. I turn from Willem and walk slowly toward the bench in the center, running my fingers across the warm iron back. "I know you've seen that Kane is not the same."
"I have," he says sternly.
I turn my head toward him, my eyes beating into his. "What do you think is happening? He has some sort of plan."
Willem's chin clamps down and I can see him gritting his teeth through the square drawl. He moves toward me, his speed so fast I barely see him coming. He stops just inches from me and I lean slightly back, stopping myself from gasping. His hand goes to my elbow and he holds it tightly. "You need to be careful. You are no longer the center of Kane's focus. In fact, I feel as if we may all be just pawns in some sort of larger game. I don't know what's happening, but I do know that a little mortal like yourself is in even more danger than you originally were."
My lips quiver, and I can feel the pressure of Willem's fingers digging into my skin. His eyes flutter over my face and I can feel his breath cascade across my skin. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and divert my eyes breaking whatever connection is happening. He releases my elbow and takes a step back. "What can you sense from Kane?"
My eyes shoot up toward him. "What would make you think that I can read Kane?"
Willem keeps a stern look on his face. "There is no need to lie to me. This is not a time for games. I know that you can read Kane because I was there when that connection was made. When the Nephilim attacked you, and Kane didn't reach you until you were just inches from death, Kane did something. He did something without thought of the repercussions."
My brow furls and I step toward him, my fingers
