Page 28 of Obsidian Dream

KHALIDA

“Do you think this isa good idea?”Meraki asked as she settled into her chair opposite Khalida.

The room was tucked into a corner of the Arx and had been forgotten by most inhabitants.From the outside, it resembled a small sewing space.The pale pink walls, once a vibrant red, had been left to the ravages of time.It held only a small dark wooden table that wobbled if they placed anything bigger than an empty glass on it and four rickety chairs.Bright blue crystals lined the sandstone-colored ceiling like twinkling stars.In the corner, the remnants of burned incense, myrrh, lingered in the air.

“And you are asking as...”

Meraki didn’t hesitate.“As your friend.”

Khalida sighed.She really didn’t want to get into the details with herself, let alone Meraki, but she owed the younger Atlantean an explanation.“We need a representative to go from House Azaes.”

Meraki shook her head.The copper curls bounced in the air.“I am not arguing with that.My question is, does it need to be you?”

Khalida opened her mouth and shut it.Suddenly, the room felt tiny and dark despite the oversized window that overlooked the desert.The bet with Talik was one aspect, but it wasn’t the only reason she wanted to go.Somewhere deep inside her, a minuscule, forgotten part knew that this presented an opportunity to say farewell.And to move on.A smaller part, whimsical in nature, wonderedwhat if.“No.But it should be me.”

“Why?”

Khalida should have known that Meraki would demand an actual explanation.Out of all the immortals, Meraki was considered an outsider.She hadn’t grown up wanting to serve as an immortal, instead she had fallen into it because she had no choice.Despite her general dislike for aristocrats and the Atlantean elite, she was Khalida’s most trusted member and confidante.The immortal had no qualms telling Khalida exactly what she thought.It was simultaneously annoying and refreshing.

“Your history will influence your decisions.Even if you don’t mean it to.”

Meraki was right, but it wouldn’t sway Khalida.She had made up her mind.

“Mer,” Khalida softly said.“I need to go.”

Understanding dawned in Meraki’s copper eyes.“Give me the word and even Dante’s elite guards won’t be able to locate Talik’s body.I am sure Lord Azaes will not object.”

Khalida laughed, the sound energized her.This was her family.“I have a task for you while I am gone.”

She leaned forward.

“I need you to find a way into the vault.”

“The vault that is only opened once every five hundred years and is otherwise sealed shut?”Meraki whistled.“And on top of that has guards watching it every single second of the day and CCTV.”

“You don’t think you are up to it?"

Meraki smiled.“Sealed doors never stopped me before.”