Page 129

Two of the prisoners kept their gazes forward, eyes bright with excitement as they moved toward the fight that was starting. The third man had a round stomach and shaggy brown hair that stuck out in every direction. His gaze flitted in her direction.

Something in his stare made Khalani instinctively reach inside her pocket for a knife that wasn’t there. The man licked his lips suggestively, and she prepared for the worst, but he broke away and eventually followed his friends toward the fight.

She shivered, but Elise didn’t notice, still chatting about food. “These bastards are definitely going to pay for making me go this long without cake.”

“I haven’t had cake since I was a kid,” Khalani admitted, trying to shake her mind from the unsettling encounter.

Elise whipped her head so fast, Khalani was surprised she didn’t break her neck.

“What?! How is that possible? Every kid has cake on their birthday.”

Khalani’s eyes traveled to the floor. In Apollo, sugar was a luxury only the rich could afford. And Apollo didn’t waste any delicacies on orphans.

The truth was, she’d grown accustomed to the disgusting food served in Braderhelm more than anything else in her life.

Elise noticed the quiet shift and placed a hand on Khalani’s shoulder. “If…whenwe get out of here, I’ll make sure you get some.”

Khalani managed a small smile. “I’d like that.”

Suddenly, Elise’s father’s voice grew louder. “Key. Ring. Save. Key. Ring. Save.” He twirled the silver ring around his finger, repeating the same strange words as he stared off into the distance.

“Elise, why does your father keep saying that?”

Elise’s mouth twisted as she stared at her father. Her eyes grew forlorn. Like she was barely holding it together.

“My mom died a few years ago. Shortly after, my dad had a stroke. Ever since then, that’s the only phrase he utters. I don’t know why he’s so obsessed with the ring. It’s not even their wedding ring. It has some weird inscription on the bottom, but it’s not from any jeweler I know of in Hermes.”

“Really?” She frowned. “What does it say?”

“Hey, Dad, can I see your ring real quick?”

His eyes widened in panic. “Key. Ring. Save. Key. Ring. Save.”

“Yes.” Elise nodded reassuringly. “I’ll keep the ring safe. Can I hold it just for a moment?”

Her dad hesitated, like he’d rather run away than let anyone have it, but he glanced at Elise and his eyes softened, only now recognizing that it was his daughter. His hand shook as he pried the ring off his finger and gently placed it in his daughter’s palm.

Elise smiled warmly at him and showed Khalani the ring.

The silver stone on top was like nothing she’d ever seen. It was thin, rectangular, and had a metal sheen to it.

“The inscription is here.” Elise pointed to the underside of the ring, holding it up for Khalani to get a closer look.

She read the delicate cursive writing, and Khalani’s lungs ceased breathing as two words shone back at her.

…

Prometheus Inc.

25

Dispose of my body

and keep the truths buried with it.

Her breath stilled. The sounds around her became muted and she couldn’t hear Elise calling her name.

All Khalani could focus on were the words sprawled before her, summoned from a forgotten dream.