Page 87 of Pet: Torment
Ezra makes a face.
“You’re talking like this is the end. It’s just a party,” he says.
I laugh, looking back at the rings.
“It just felt like a good time,” I say.
Ezra doesn’t know that Remus visited me last night and threatened to kill me. He doesn’t know that beneath my dress is a bruise from his anger. This may be the last time I see Remus. Only time will tell whether it’s him or his mother who ends up killing me.
Once again, I am left in complete awe of the Leviathan celebrations onXyrannis. I can’t believe I ever compared this to the ones on Earth. This one is something out of a fairytale I read as a child as we approach the venue from overhead. It’s onthe edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. And right at the edge, looking as if it’s dipping into the water itself, isLlora.
The celebration is being held in what could double as a Roman-themed museum. The columns look to be marble as they stretch as high as any building, drapes forming the walls around the celebration. The walkway entrance is filled with Leviathan dressed as extravagantly as usual, making me wonder what this celebration is for. Even the rings look dazzlingly otherworldly as they stretch over the sky in a streak of light that complementsLlora.
My stomach dips as the ship begins its descent. I slowly bring my hand up to clutch my necklace as I try to fight the nerves threatening to overtake me. I’m sure Ezra suspects that I’ve been speaking to Remus on my own, and Xion is at her wits end. I have no idea the mood Remus will be in once we land. Will he even tolerate my presence among the Leviathan? Or will he transport me to crush my bones within seconds of seeing me?
It takes us five minutes to land and another three to reach the celebration, and the entire time I am a bundle of nerves. I am glad when Sky finally places her hand in mine as a source of comfort, noticing my distress. And as I look at her, she gives me a small smile as if to say everything is going to be fine.
But once we reach the celebration, Leviathan quickly approach, bowing to greet Ezra. He speaks to them briefly before turning to Sky and me, his attention drifting between us before focusing on Sky.
“Remember our talk,” he says. He then steps closer to her, his lips hovering near her ears as he murmurs something to her that makes her grip on my hand tighten. And as he steps back, his expression is as serious as I’ve ever seen it as she nods in understanding.
He then turns his attention to me.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” he says before gesturing to the Leviathan standing near.
He quips to them in their language, but I understand what he says.“Take them.”
The Leviathan moves to the side, holding his hand out for us as he leads us through a different entrance to the celebration.
No one notices our entrance as we move among the throngs of aliens. The interior of the tent is more extravagant than the exterior, the drapes inside looking like clouds surrounding us. And through the large opening,Llorais centered near the ocean.
The Leviathan moves us to an area with a thinner crowd, giving us the universal gesture for “stay” before moving on with whatever his job is for the rest of the night. Sky’s and my grips haven’t loosened since setting foot in here, and I note she is as nervous as I am. So, I slowly pull my hand from her grip.
“You look lovely,” I say, hoping to add some comforting normalcy to her night. I’m sure it is terrifying for her being among the aliens who invaded for the first time. And in such an extravagant way.
“Thank you,” Sky says. “So do you.”
Before we can make any more conversation, a bell sounds followed by the bustle of the Leviathan as a voice comes overhead. It’s an announcement. I can’t make out all of it, but the little that I can translate makes my heart beat slightly faster as I look in the direction of the grand entrance. Applause erupts as Remus steps through ahead of his siblings.
He’s a clear leader dressed in his pristine white. Jewels native to this world adorns his attire as he moves with the grace he always has. His ethereal gaze remains straight ahead, his expression blank. His hair is pulled away from his face with the pendant he gave me on Earth holding it in place. It was the one he gave me the night Xion arrived, right before I betrayed him.
He looks so cold and yet so beautiful as his people erupt in applause.
Ezra at least smiles, and Xion waves, giving them a small bit of humanity. Remus, however, looks terrifying. They truly are a picture of divinity.
Remus stops at the head of the room and begins speaking. My ears ring from the sound of his voice, even in his own language. He sounds confident and charismatic; unlike the way he’s been speaking to me every time he’s seen me—with disgust and irritation. He doesn’t even smile anymore. And I hate his mother for taking that from him.
He finishes his speech, signifying the beginning of the celebration as applause erupts once again. This time, however, he glances over the crowd, dipping his chin in acknowledgment. My heart continues to beat faster as I am reminded of who Remus is—who he was before he met me. He rulesXyrannisand the entire Leviathan empire. In their eyes, he is a god. Of course, he doesn’t believe me.
I hold fast to my determination as I am forced to see just how out of my depth I truly am in this setting. But I won’t let it deter me. This Remus may be intimidating, but he is far from who he had grown to be. My Remus needs me, and I won’t give up on him.
I won’t stop fighting for him.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Iris
The celebration is livelier than the original one I attended. The Leviathan here are more relaxed as they celebrate in the presence of their gods. For most of the evening, Sky and I have remained on the outskirts of the party, content to enjoy the company of humans. But I see we’re the only ones, as Noah hasmade it his mission to remain by Xion’s side. Even now, worlds apart, humans have chosen a side.