Page 70 of Pet: Torment
I pull in a trembling breath as I turn away from the scenery beyond the glass of the building to face the large portrait of Remus’s mother that hangs overhead. Remus called a council meeting regarding Iriel’s sudden demise. Ever since the day he attacked me, both of his siblings have been reluctant to leave me alone. Remus used his last bit of consciousness to save my life, and his siblings have taken that sacrifice to heart.
Xion rarely lets me out of her sight, and Ezra visits every day with Sky. His usual carefree charm has been replaced with silence, and he seems content to be in the presence of each of us without taunting. It’s a strange change to see him, but I partially understand, seeing as his world is now crumbling to reveal bits and pieces that have been lies.
It’s jarring to me to see how little they know of their own lives. They don’t know which aspects are real and which have been manipulated into existence by her. She’s a terrifying threat,that’s for sure. But Remus must have been just as well, which is why we need him back.
I look away from the portrait of his mother to make my way outside, where Sky is waiting for me. We’ve become much closer in this time of uncertainty. Honestly, she’s been a calming presence to have around. Not only for me, but I can see how she is for Ezra, as well, making me curious about the dynamic between them. She seems accepting of the fate of our world but holds resentment that she’s put aside for his sake. She’s much more mature than I would have been in this situation, and I have a feeling it’s from living within the resistance for so long.
Even though there is a council meeting happening a few floors up, there are still other Leviathan roaming about the building, going about their lives. None of them bothers glancing in my direction. I’m curious if any of them remember that I arrived with Remus, or if his mother has somehow manipulated this society as well. Ever since coming up with my ring theory, my anxiety has gone through the roof.
I knew the rings were unnatural when I saw them for the first time, but what are they capable of? What has she done to this planet and its people? As the thought crosses my mind, a chill ripples up my spine as I recall the story of her origins. Remus and his siblings speak so casually about her being “locked away” by the people of this world. But what could have happened for an entire planet to turn against a woman they saw as their god?
I pause in front of the door that leads outside, looking around at the signs. This is a building featuring massive portraits and statues dedicated to this woman. It is also a building used for council meetings among the Divine Three. There has to be an archive somewhere in here—some historical monument, at least, that’s been dedicated to the origins of theCelestivinethe Leviathan allow to run their society.
I slowly move away from the door as I focus on the signs. My ability to read the Leviathan language is proficient enough that I can read signs with ease. I had moved on to understanding the language when Remus was ripped away from me so suddenly. I quickly push down the memory of our last day together that threatens to surface as I think of his smile from my comprehension of the language.
It takes me a few tries, but I finally find the signs that direct me to what I assume is an archive. The words don’t translate exactly into the English language. “Archive” specifically doesn’t exist. But the sign does mention something about records. So, I look around briefly before following the arrows to a more secluded part of the building.
Xion told me before we arrived not to roam on my own. It isn’t safe. I could run into Remus or his mother, and that would be the end of my life. But they couldn’t risk leaving me alone at any of their homes, because she could show up there as well while they were gone if she’s skeptical about me being alive.
I release an irritated breath at how hard my heart is beating in my chest. I’ve never been so cautious before when it comes to Remus. Everything I’ve ever done was on impulse. But it was because at the time he was toying with me. In the same way, he toyed with the resistance. He never let his true ability show, allowing us to reveal our hand to him in desperation. I slowly reach for my locket, gripping it tightly as I think of the last time I encountered Remus.
Being crushed alive is not a way I want to die.
I look behind me briefly, making sure no one is watching me as I come to a decision. Remus is in a meeting thathecalled, several floors away. And according to Ezra, their mother is nowhere to be found for the moment. I doubt I’ll run into either of them, especially so far away from people.
It takes me much longer than I would like to reach the records, especially since my heat signature isn’t high enough to be recognized immediately for some doors to open. But I finally reach the records room, and I am grateful that it is empty. My stomach dips slightly as I look it over. It’s a massive room with rows of shelves filled with information onXyrannis.
However, as I examine the labels, I notice that these aren’t historical records. They’re local records, such as when new buildings were constructed or ordinances for building were established. I release a huff of irritation. It’s just a records room of their society. No history. But I won’t give up so easily.
I know a lot of time has passed as I make my way up and down the rows, searching for the information I seek. I chuckle bitterly to myself as I pull out another law book that doesn’t make entire sense to me.
What would I even do with the information if I found it? Remus’s siblings have no idea how to approach their mother. But maybe it would even the playing field. Remus briefly mentioned that day in his library that the Leviathan had an entire culture before his mother. They had to have written down something that led them to betray her.
I’m focused on a specific law when I suddenly feel a light touch on my hair. I whip around, my back crashing into the shelf as my heart explodes in my chest from the sudden sensation. I choke on my scream as I take in my assailant.
It’s Remus.
He’s here, with me,alone. The day we first met, I had adrenaline and grief to fuel me, snapping me out of my terror at seeing him. But now, as I stand before him, his ethereal gaze, which had grown on me, makes me shiver as he looks at the hairpin between his fingers. His expression is so emotionless, so blank as he studies it. It’s the hairpin he gave me on our last day together. I never knew the significance behind it because henever explained it to me. And honestly, it’s all I have left of our time together, so I never take it off.
I see now that was a stupid thing to do, as he obviously recognizes it.
His gaze narrows slightly as he finally shifts his attention to me. My legs give out. He’s going to kill me for having something of his. He’s going to crush me, painfully forcing me to die alone in this stuffy records room with no one to remember me.
His eyes follow the motion of me sliding slowly to the floor, my breath trembling as I try to be brave, but Remus kneels with me, holding the pin out between us.
“Where did you get this?”
Chapter Thirty-One
Iris
I don’t know what it is this time around, but I can’t bring myself to speak. My words have lodged themselves in my throat as I look Remus in the eyes—as I watch his patience grow thinner by the second. Maybe it’s because in the past, I didn’t know what he was capable of. But I am intimately aware of what Remus iscapable of now. I’ve seen it. And recently, the most brutal parts of it were used on me. I still have nightmares that wake me up in a cold sweat from the feeling of having my bones crushed inside of me—from seeing the lack of recognition in that gaze as he decided I wasn’t worth the breath.
Remus narrows his gaze, shifting his attention back to the pin in his hands.
“Did you take this when my brother brought you to my home?” he asks.
My cheeks burn as I recall the interaction in his home. I’ve been so busy with my own feelings that I’ve been able to ignore the truth that Remus is probably keeping himself occupied with others. I can’t be angry at him. He doesn’t even remember me. But I can still be hurt by it, as I reveal by the tears that slowly form.