What was this place?
Looking up, a low cement ceiling met his gaze, and groggily, he tried to focus. The taste of blood filled his mouth, and by the feel of his right eye, it was tightly swollen shut. His breath was labored, and since his body felt as if it had been chewed through a mill, he guessed he had been there a while. His hands were tightly bound behind his back, and he rested his head against the cold wall when he registered what had happened.
So many questions screamed through his mind. He was Roque’s son. Why had he never told him? And Emory...she was his half sister. Disbelief made his thoughts fuzzy as he tried to process the information.
“He’s awake.” A high-pitched voice echoed in the small room, snapping him back to reality.
“Who’s there?” Brokk asked.
A giggle was the only response.
Fear paralyzed him, goosebumps erupting over his skin. Her laugh was an uncanny match to his dream. Peyton suddenly materialized in front of him, making him slam back into the wall.
She cackled. “Hello, dear. I was wondering when you would come around. Our tactics last time must have drained you.” She smiled back at him, ruthlessly, not waiting for a reply.
“I will let you in on a little secret. I can imagine you must have so many questions. But unfortunately, those will have to wait. You see, I do think it’s a little unfair that the most powerful person in Kiero only uses his abilities to save one girl. What you did, it changed everything.”
“What I did! The monarchy was built to ensure peace to protect this land. It’s Adair that changed everything!” He gritted his teeth.
Peyton didn’t hesitate; her hand was cold and strong as it struck across his face. His blood pounded up to his skin.
“You stupid boy! Haven’t you realized by now that what is happening is because of mistakes made from the past? Roque was never destined to have access to the power he did, and it is the same with Adair. Emory was never supposed to leave, and you were never supposed to be born. But alas, the world is a fickle place. The fates have been changed. The entire balance of Kiero is about to tip over, and it is entirely based on you.”
She sucked in a breath before continuing. “You see, when your father stole the Book of Old from me, he had no idea the consequences of that. It was never mine to keep but only to be delivered back to its rightful owner. Morgan and I were promised a life of riches, and she tossed that away for love. I am now bound to a lifetime of servitude until the wrongs have been set right. You are not the only group fighting for the power to rule Kiero, and you will not succeed without our help.”
Another giggle erupted behind Brokk.
Peyton dipped her head and, locking eyes with him, said, “Adair has the Book of Old which contains dark magic that would make your head spin. He made a deal with my masters’. You see, they enjoy these games. For taking the Faes lives, he would have access to its knowledge for a limited time. But he didn’t listen to them and stashed himself away, trying to build his strength, justifying to himself that by being high of birth, it was his to keep. That it was his right to become King. And so, they waited for someone to help them achieve what they wanted. And, here we are. “
“I won’t be your pawn.”
“Would you rather die?”
The question hung heavily in the air, and Brokk stalled, reflecting on it.
“Brokk Foster, you are the most influential person in this game right now, and upon agreeing, I can answer any question you have. All I need is for you to say yes. Otherwise, I will torture you, and eventually, you will break anyway.”
Peyton was inches away from his face, her rancid breath filling his senses. He didn’t trust a single word, but what were his options? Say no and be tortured and tested on?
He stared into her eyes, searching for his answer. “If I say yes, will my friends... If they aren’t already ...” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
Peyton’s mouth quirked, finding his pain funny. She sighed dramatically. “If you say yes, we will ensure you rule, and yes, your friends, if they are alive, will be safe. “
“Who do you serve?”
Peyton clucked her tongue disapprovingly. “Is that a yes?”
Brokk was numb as he nodded once.
Peyton shrieked in response, and a dark green flame erupted from the eight stones, dancing around their edges. Before his eyes, four ghostly figures emerged from the flames, jet black hair clinging to their shoulders, and where the eyes should have been, two gaping holes replaced them. They all wore the same simple white dress, their lips peeled back from their teeth, frozen in a permanent grimace. Their bare feet slapped the floor as they stalked toward him in unison.
It was as if he had entered his nightmare. Heart pounding against his rib cage, Brokk was helpless as they advanced on him.
What had he done?
The one closest to his left giggled again as they formed a semi-circle around him. Their voices were like scraping nails, and he cringed.
One spoke, “Brokk Foster, it is our pleasure to finally meet you. As our lovely Peyton has already explained, we have wanted you on our side for some time. Despite Peyton’s certain...vengeances plotted against you, we are not involved in such trivialities. We have one ambition, and we grow
