Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
As for the trolls, they’re creepy little fuckers the size of a grain of rice, who carry tiny machetes. They hunt by overwhelming their prey with sheer numbers, like fire ants. Then they hack their victim to pieces.
I turn, and there’s a jagged gray boulder next to me that wasn’t there before.
“Jesus.” I jump back. It’s one of Mato’s fucking pets. They look like rocks, but inside is some sort of animal. Kind of like a really messed-up turtle that can grab you and wrap you up in stone.
“Do not be alarmed,” says Mato. “I take him everywhere. One can never be too careful.”
If I were still human, I’d be red-faced right now for showing fear in front of this king. “Well, as I was about to say, I don’t see a big problem. Trolls and Dusts don’t take up much room.” I’m punting. I don’t know what else to say.
Mato shakes his head. “We cannot live on infested land, my queen. You must move them.”
I can’t afford to piss off the Dusts. They’re the last line of defense for my world. Then there’s the issue of their size. How does one negotiate with microbes? As for the trolls, I have no clue how to make them move. They’re supposedly millions of them. I can’t wave a magic wand and make Mato happy. I have other priorities that involve saving my world and letting this one eat itself up. It may sound cruel, but I see no point in letting them destroy two worlds.
“Like I said, I’ll get you your land back when the time is right.”
“Not good enough.”
I have nothing else to offer, and he knows it. So why’s he pressing me? “For the time being, it has to be.”
“I want more than words.”
I wait for the punchline. I know it’s coming.
“I want your hand.”
Since he’s not a troll or a Skin, I know he’s not asking to snack on me—he means hand in marriage. No way.
“You’re out of luck,” I say, “because I only have two hands, and my husband is partial to them.”
Mato laughs. “You are a witty one, Lake.” His smile drops. “Your husband has many enemies. He cannot live much longer. And when his death comes, I want you as my wife.”
I am about to ask what he thinks he’ll get out of marrying me, but I already know: power. Instead, I ask, “Why do you think Alwar’s going to die?”
He smiles. “Do not forget that the Mountain People have only vowed allegiance to you temporarily. Vampire or not, you promised to carry out changes.”
So he’s not going to answer my question. “I haven’t forgot about the plan, and I have no interest in staying on the throne any longer than necessary. But I’ll think about your proposal, anyway.” It does me no good to flat out turn him down, especially because he’s not telling me something. Does he think Alwar will die soon? Who’s planning to take him out?
“Do not think too long on the matter, my queen. While you’re in here feeding yourself nonstop, refusing to address the citizens and rulers, everyone else is scrambling to make alliances. You do not want to be left out in the cold.”
This is what I was talking about; Monsterland is a viper pit. If I were really, truly here to implement my peace plan, I wouldn’t stand a chance. Many are already scheming behind my back to stop me. They don’t want peace. They want power. And those who already have it just want more.
“A few short months ago, I was new to this world, and now I’m sitting on the throne.” I flash a smile. “I think I can handle myself.”
The question is, can I hold on long enough to protect my home?
Mato nods and turns to leave.
“So I can count on you to bend the knee when I call all the leaders here?” I say to test him.
He stops shy of the large wooden door. “I would not advise doing that. You leave yourself open to a coup if you do not have an established quorum.”
He’s the second person to say that. This time, though, I don’t go into the part about having the No One army at my side. Mato is probably my best bet for my real plan. He needs to trust me, and I won’t get that from him with threats.
“I actually agree. I just wanted to hear what you’d say. I will be traveling to each kingdom after giving my inaugural address.”
“Be careful, Lake. This world holds many dangerous, hungry creatures, and not all of them fear an army.”
I’ve traveled through the lands twice now. I still have nightmares. The Devil People, with their hungry howling and deep red skin, or the masterbeasts—rapist man on the bottom, wolf on the top. The stuff of horror films.