CHAPTER 36
I return to his shack after dark and find him sitting on the floor, reading a Star Wars book. I sigh. Of course he has some education and knows how to read. His face looks savage, covered in the ominous-looking paint. Not exactly approachable.
“What are you reading?” I ask softly, kneeling in front of him, curling my lips into my sweetest smile. I must be nice and gentle if I expect his help.
“Well, it’s just an old book… It’s about a chosen one who fights against evil and saves the world in the end.”
His voice sounds flat and he doesn’t look at me.
“I think you’re a chosen one as well,” I lie. “You were right. We were destined to meet. That must be why you saw me during your spirit journey.”
Wreck rolls his eyes, putting down the book. “I made it up, all right? I didn’t see a damn thing during my spirit journey.”
I lean in closer, maintaining a serious expression and making my voice sound sincere. “Just think about it, Kris. What were the chances of us meeting? We were brought together for a reason. We must travel back to Central Settlement and kill your uncle. You’ll take his place and free all the servants in our land. This is our path, Kris. That is our destiny.”
I pause, worried that he will laugh at me, but he remains silent.
“My spiritual guardian showed me the way,” I continue. “She said I must follow Jingfay’s legacy and that you’ll help me.”
He shakes his head. “Spirits aren’t real, all right? You were just high. It was just a hallucination.”
“What’s real and what’s not?” I smile again. “If you believe in something strongly enough, it becomes real. I believe in what I saw. And I believe in you, Kris. I know we can do this together.”
He smirks. “You just want me to help you rescue your boyfriend, don’t you? I don’t like being manipulated, Kora.”
“You’re the true high master, Kris.” I squeeze his hand tightly. “Do you realize that Central Settlement and all our land… it all belongs to you. You must take back what’s yours. Please, come with me, Kris. Please, let me help you.”
He pulls his hand away. “I was never supposed to become the high master. And I never wanted to. It’s not much fun. Violet would have become one. She was a perfect fit for that role, not me. Smart, fearless, kind… just like our mother. So I won’t be going back. I like my life here and don’t want to change anything.”
“How can you say that?” I feel anger boiling inside me. “How can you let the killer of your parents go on living? Don’t you want to take revenge?”
“Nope. That’s all in the past. I’m not Prince Christopher any longer. He died that night. Samuel murdered him. I’m Kris, a roamer.”
“Why did you spare my life then? What was that all about?”
“Because you did what I couldn’t. You killed my enemy’s son and took revenge for your friend. I couldn’t let Ace hurt you. I just wanted to keep you around.”
For a moment I feel guilty, because what I did was more an act of fear and desperation than vengeance. Wreck isn’t the only one who’s been lying.
“Are you afraid of Samuel?” I ask. “Are you still that same scared little boy?”
His eyes darken. “I’m not scared of anybody.”
“Why don’t you want to help me then?”
“Why should I?” he grins. “I have no desire to change the way I live. I don’t want revenge. So why should I risk my life rescuing your boyfriend? Where is the benefit? You tell me.”
I frown in confusion. There’s something nasty in his eyes, and it’s making me nervous. What is he talking about? I take a long look at him and all I can see is the guy who captured me and held the knife to my throat. The skin on the back of my neck begins to crawl. I remember his trying to kiss me back in the woods, his dirty little hints and the way he kept staring, almost drooling. The meaning of his words dawns on me. I understand what he wants in return for his help.
I bite my lip, my hands shaking. I can’t do it. But once again it doesn’t matter what I can or can’t do. The only thing that matters is what I must do.
Wreck continues looking at me expectantly, a wicked grin spread across his painted face. For a moment I envision myself lying beneath him, letting him do whatever he pleases. I imagine him grabbing my wrists, viciously pinning my arms to the floor, his mouth over mine. My heart sinks and I feel nauseated. I know it will be horrific. But the lives of my friends depend on me. You do what you have to.
“Kora, are you all right?” he asks. “You look kinda strange.”
I overcome my doubts. I’m going to save my friends and take revenge for my mother’s death, no matter the cost. I’ve already survived so many terrible things that one more assault won’t kill me.
“Kris,” I mutter quietly. “I’ll do anything you want, if you agree to help me.” I glance into his eyes. “And I do mean… anything.”
His grin vanishes. He remains silent for a long moment, just gazing at me, then says slowly, “Kora, let me get this straight. Are you offering yourself in exchange for my services?”
I nod, and his eyes flicker.
“You must really want to rescue your friends,” he says.
“Yes, I have to save them,” I say flatly. “So let’s make a deal. I’ll do whatever you
