Brothers. “They have brokered a deal with a Brother named Pike.”
“What kind of deal?”
“A claiming—my claiming. They want me paired to him.”
“And you don’t like Pike?”
“No.”
“What’s wrong with Pike?” I ask.
“You could ask Caramina, the last priestess they gave him, if she were still alive, but he strangled her to death . . . so I think you’ll just have to guess.”
“When?”
“When what?” she counters. “When did he strangle her?”
“No. When does he claim you?”
“At the end of the speck,” she replies, indicating that at the end of the month, she’s got a huge problem.
“And you want me to save you?”
“No. I want us to save each other. Kyon may love you, but you don’t love him.”
“How do you know?”
“Most of the time, I live in the shadow land that I’m able to create. I have to hide from these egos.” She indicates the people surrounding us. “I observe others. I know fear when I see it. Kyon scares you—as well he should—he’s the most frightening one in the room.”
My eyes don’t stray to Kyon because I know he’s watching us. I can see him in the reflection of the brass instrument resting idly in front of me. I don’t want him to suspect that we’re discussing anything besides the other priestesses. He’s aware of what’s happening in this room. I think he’s curious to see how it affects me and what I’ll do. I’m about to enlighten him, but not just yet.
“If we go, we’re going to need things,” I murmur.
Phlix stops breathing for a moment. Her normally pale face becomes rosy. Cold fingers reach over and cover mine for the breath it takes to squeeze my hand, and then they slip away. “I know how to get things.”
“Where do you stay?”
“Freming House.”
I remember it. Kyon pointed it out to me when we flew over it. “That’s not going to work out at all. We need you here.”
“They’ll never allow it.”
“Why not?”
“Well . . . I don’t know . . . it’s just not done. All priestesses reside at Freming House.”
“I won’t.”
“Are you sure?” she asks. “We’re here to persuade Kyon to release you to us.”
“He won’t let me out of his sight.”
“Then none of this will work.” It’s as if I just told her that her best friend died. She’s crushed. She holds back tears as her clenched hand with the onyx dragon hides her mouth. We listen to the strains of the mesmerizing music. I still feel nothing from the toxic melody, and the worry it causes the group of musicians in front of me is telling. Their faces show strain.
I glance at Phlix. Her eyes are shiny with unshed tears. I exhale a breath. “All is not lost,” I mutter. “Wait here.” I rise from my seat.
Phlix appears startled. “Where are you going?” She rises too.
“I’m going to try to arrange a sleepover,” I whisper.
“You’re going to go talk to the Brothers?” she asks. “Without being summoned?”
“Yeah.” I’m irritated that she thinks I need to ask them permission to speak.
I square my shoulders, feeling every eye in the room on me. As gracefully as possible, I cross the room to where Kyon is standing, leaning against the wall. I knew he was watching me, but the intensity of his stare is hard to ignore. Nearing him, I hear the Brother in front of him say, “We cannot leave here without her. He will kill us all. He won’t see your hasty claiming ceremony as legitimate.”
“The ceremony was legal; it was witnessed by a member of the Brotherhood. I have no intention of allowing Kricket to reside at Freming House—now or ever. She’s dear to me, Ainsley. I will not allow you to ruin her. If he wants to meet her, he’ll have to come to me.”
“It’s not about you or Excelsior, it’s about the prophecy—” Ainsley stops talking when he notices my approach. His scowl is all the indication that I need to understand that I have committed some huge faux pas in his eyes by approaching them in this manner. I can’t help the warmth that spreads inside me at the knowledge.
“My love,” I address Kyon with pouty lips. “I was just speaking to Phlix and I have figured out exactly what this room needs. I had to rush over and tell you.”
His eyes dance with amusement. “What does it need, my little savage?” He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear.
“A disco ball!” I smile, like it’s not the tackiest suggestion one