Page 29 of The Secrets of Jane: Reborn

“Now hold on,” I begin with more confidence, even if she freaks me out. “You knew about him wantingme, then. You clearly know aboutso muchand yet only tell everyone crumbs.”

She weaves her bony fingers through the air. “A starving man won’t seek food if I give him more than crumbs.”

I scoff, loathing that she isn’t fucking wrong. Which means there’s a really good chance she knows exactly how all of this will go, and won’t tell any of us.

She threads her fingers together and places them on a crossed knee. “Jane, you have incredibly high odds of encountering Misery. I want to protect you from his powers if that is to happen.”

The recent rush of fear once again rescinds… wait, she wants to help me take on Misery? Petty vengeance is loud in my heart,telling me that if there’s a way to fuck with this god, I should at least hear her out.I cross my arms, shivering as some of my clothes are still soaked. “I don’t believe you aren’t about to send me to my deathbed.”

She slowly smiles, something about the humor unnerving. “It amuses me that when I’m finally being forthcoming, you refuse to trust an inch of it.”

I look down as if it can give me a sense of privacy, and when I glance back up, her eyes are already boring into me with that inky stare. “What are you going to do, or with, me?”

“What I have planned will be extremely minimal.”

That somehow doesnothingto comfort me.

I glare at Cypress, and something hits me in the chest that tells me she will do whatever she wants with me, whether I like it or not. “Do the others know you’re in here?”

“I’m the one that made these tunnels possible. It makes it rather easy to slip in and out.”

I hesitate, almost wanting to scream at the idea, because I’m so damn tired of everything not making sense. “Why can’t another god help, or something? I mean, why me?”

Her face contorts with frustration, as if the mere idea of involving anyone other than her god is the first and only thing to offend her. “Only three gods have any strength out here that are worth anything. The ocean god,mine, and Misery.Weare the first line of defeating him, and seeing as how we’re on land, it’s rather up tome, then.”

“And I seriously cannot run from this?”

Fuck it. It’s worth one last shot of trying to avoid this.

Cypress looks around, cracking her neck before flashing that haunting gaze back at me. “The truth is, Jane, when I look at you… I see Misery’s burning eyesrightbehind you.”

My shoulders immediately pull upward, as if to cover my neck from chills that threaten to wash over. I even glance slightlyto the side as if I might see something terrifying, but it’s just more of the same floor.

My arms come out from the fold, holding my hands to the side. “Then what thefuckwas the last ten years for?”

“The last ten years were necessary to reachthispoint in time. If my intention was to push you off a bridge onto a passing boat, it would be nonsensical to do it before the boat is even in sight. Metaphorically, the boat is currentlyrightunderneath us.”

“Indulge me,” I suggest with a weak laugh. The sound is dry and humorless. “You claim it’s important I avoid Misery, and yet you’re more than confident that I’ll cross his path. You’re clearly powerful. Why don’tyouprotect me, then? You said I’m a catalyst, but I bet you won’t even tell me whatthatmeans.”

“Oh, I have protected you, Jane. Ido. Which means if he is likely to take you, then I will equip you with what you need.”

My lips tightly press together, not fully realizing that while I loathe her mystery, I also can’t deny shehasn’thelped, even if I barely understand just who she is.

“If you know the future, then why does any of this matter?” I quip.

“Free will ensures the future is in constant flux.” Her smile is uncanny, as if pulled up by another. “I’ve become adept at reading human behavior and guessing what their next actions will be. Otherwise, I can’t read the future as if it’s been written in a book. No one can. Not even Misery… and to answer… no, I will not reveal what he wants with you. Not right now. It won’t help anything in the immediate, and some rest could do you good.”

I nearlychortleat her acting like she cares. Do I need her sympathy, though? Temptation tugs at me to go along with whatever she schemes, just wanting to get her out of this room. As I look away, I feel like I can’t think without her eavesdropping in onthat. “What does your god want? What is hereallyafter?”

“The gods are greedy. Morvock, or Misery as the rest call him, is perpetually parched for an army of devout followers. It’s said that to be in his inner circle is the opposite of what everyone else is subjected to—he provides utter luxury to those most loyal. Once he has a grip on society, everyone will be willing to kill whoever they have to in order to evenwitnessa second of it, lest they return to their miserable lives.” Her sigh is heavy, like it’s weighed down by a thousand considerations. “Mygod,” she continues, quieter now,“wants these Balar Coasts free of Morvock, or elseheloses power. It’s that simple.”

The suggestion of someone having such a hold on society makes me shiver, and also feels so fictitious. “If these gods are so powerful, then why don’t they just take care of this themselves? Why be so convoluted?”

“Have you ever wondered what a fish would think of a jar of rum?”

I—what?

My breathing halts as if any movement will only add to the confusion. “Come again?” I ask slowly.