Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 160578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 642(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 642(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
Gathering my hair into a high pony, she flings the necklace around my neck and clasps the locket. “Look, everything I know, I’ll tell you, but there’s one thing we must agree on right here and now.”
I turn back, my hand resting over the star that’s secured over my chest. “Okay. I can do that.”
“Don’t take any of this personally. This is unfamiliar territory for all of us.” Her lashes flutter, almost brushing the small beauty spot below her left eye. “I’m sorry for what is to come to both of us.”
A wave of fear creeps over my spine. “Why are you sorry?”
She smiles again, but it’s gone as quickly as it came. “Because it won’t be easy, and I may not see you often.”
The door opens, cutting off our conversation. Uncle Bishop leans in. “The jet is ready for you both.”
A strange sense of unease whistles through my blood like a gust of wind on a fine day.
River places her hand on my knee, sensing my discomfort. “Good. We’re done waiting.”
We are? Crap.
River slides out before me. When my foot lands on the tarmac, I pause, turning to face the strange man. This time, his eyes meet mine without the illusion of the mirror. He’s young, but maybe a lot younger than I thought. The same age as River’s brother and the rest of the boys.
With round eyes and skin as smooth as silk, the corners of his mouth stretch into a smile. “I’ll be seeing you soon, kiddo.”
“You’re not much older than me!” I tease, sliding out of the car. Before I close the door, I hear his chuckle.
“Oh, if only that were true…”
With weighted steps, my legs carry me across the tarmac. Whatever awaits on the other side, I’m sure I’ll be ready because I’ve always felt a sense of restlessness. I've often felt lost all my life through the gaps of the year when we weren’t in Aspen. Born into a circus family, yet I despised the thought of performing. The disconnect between me and my Kiznitch ancestors became clear then. Anything that involves being the center of attention only makes me want to run. I’ve never connected to anyone like I do with Uncle Bishop, Nate, and, hopefully, River.
Damnit. I should have befriended her a long time ago. What if deep down, they are all similar to her, and I have kept myself out of their reach all this time.
The cabin's warmth falls over us when we finally make it inside and out of the wind. Sugary baked goods fragrance the air, causing a growl from my stomach. When was the last time I ate?
My mouth dries at the thought of forcing food down.
“Come on, Lulu. Sit…” River calls me over to where she’s snugged tight near the front. I count the recliners on my way.
One.
Two.
Three.
Sixteen, and they’re all empty except mine and River’s. Some seats are arranged in groups of four facing each other, some in pairs, and those at the back encircle a dining table. Where did Uncle Bishop go? Is he not coming?
River unzips herself out of her jacket, revealing her clothes underneath. A simple white long-sleeve top and yoga pants.
A pair of fuzzy white socks land on my lap as I lower opposite her. “Put these on. The trip shouldn’t be long, but they’ve always helped me relax during flights.”
I play with the soft material. “You scared of flying?” I haven’t even kicked off my shoes and slid my feet into the new socks when Uncle Nate and Bishop take the double seats beside us but face each other.
“Hello, Luna.”
My smile is short-lived when I notice the tight lines in their expressions.
“What is it?” The change is noticeable. They glance at each other before returning to River and me.
She moves closer. “No, seriously, what is it?”
We’re both in the same boat, but she’s much better at keeping herself distracted than I am.
“Nothing. There’s not much I can say except sorry.” Nate reaches out and caresses her cheek.
“No,” she whispers, her disbelief weighing down her voice.
“What?” I blink between them both. River and I are the same age, but my absence in this world is obvious by how River and I both process information differently.
Bishop remains passive, assessing River's reaction. This is BVH, not Bishop, my uncle, or Bishop, the father. This is Bishop Vincent Hayes, the leader of the EKC.
“You’re going to be leaving us for seven years, Luna. In those seven years, you will be broken, shaped, folded, tested, trained, and pushed to your maximum potential. River’s taking a different direction, but I’m sure you will see her often…or not at all”—silence stretches between us—“Riverside Elite schools are the guise. The Malum-Riverside family lineage are the runners of the schools, yes, but this one in particular isn’t that. No one knew about it for generations unless they attended or were in the Malum line.”