Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
The others paused to sigh dreamily. “The Guardian.”
“He’s so, so great.”
“But also terrible.”
More dreamy sighs. “Beyond powerful. Deliciously handsome.”
Jasher had mentioned this infamous guardian, too. “If—” when “—I run from the Wests, will I acquire a crimen?” Best to be informed.
“That depends. Did you agree to be a substitute?” Buttercup asked.
I’m willing to pay her debt. But in return for my extreme generosity, she must agree to muck my stable.
Do you accept, Moriah Shaker?
Yes. I’ll work off those silvers, no problem.
“I did,” I croaked.
“Then yes.”
The queasiness returned to my stomach. “There must be a way to escape without dying.”
“There is,” Gladys offered. “If Mr. West or Henry release you from your verbal contract.”
It wasn’t the best news, but it wasn’t the worst, either. I turned the conversation back to the source of help. “Tell me more about this guardian guy.”
Sunny smiles broke out.
“Did I mention how handsome he is?” Elaine asked.
The others twittered their agreement.
“And he’s powerful. So brave!”
“Perfect even.”
“He’s the only one strong enough to survive the storms and escort otherworlders home,” Lulu added, “but he lives in the City of Lux.”
Finally! A rock-solid answer. “Where’s the City of Lux?”
“Over the river, through the woods, around the poppy glens and beyond the sands and minefields.”
I blinked. “Are you kidding?” The beauty was messing with me, right, quoting part of a nursery rhyme. Plus, poppy glens? Come on! Poison poppies were featured in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, too.
“We never kid,” Buttercup deadpanned. “Jokes can sometimes be considered lying, and lying is bad. But if you’re hoping to travel to Lux, don’t. Depart from these grounds without permission, and you won’t just acquire a crimen. Bounty hunters will give chase. If you evade them, you’ll have to deal with trappers. And if you can’t get around the poppy glens, well.” Color drained from her cheeks. “You’ll die badly.”
Hunters, trappers, and poppies, oh my. No matter the danger, I must, must, must get to the City of Lux. And I must do it as soon as possible with some of Patch’s serpens-rosa in hand. “This river. Where is it?”
“The river isn’t far from here. A mere ten miles due south. You have only to exit West’s office, turn left, left, right, left, and you’ll make it to the garden. Nobody but the stablekeeper will try to stop you.” Elaine met my gaze, as serious as a heart attack. “But you should stay put. The Wests are awful, but the journey is worse. Oh, the stories I’ve heard.”
Patch must’ve broken my ability to trust the citizens of Hakeldama. Because why had the ladies given me such explicit instructions if they truly expected me to stay put? Did they want to get rid of me for some reason, but couldn’t admit it? “Tandi stayed and died anyway,” I pointed out.
No one responded. They were too busy looking behind me with an eerie mix of apprehension and excitement. “Is that…?” Lulu’s voice trailed off.
My brow furrowed as I followed their gazes with my own. A large bubble rose from the bottom of the pool, breeched the water’s surface, and popped, revealing a pink-haired, pink-skinned beauty wearing an elaborate headdress and seaweed gown. Beads hung over her forehead, creating the illusion of bangs. Shark teeth dangled from her ears.
“Water maiden,” the bath babes squealed in one accord.
Water maiden? Hmm. There were no water maidens in Oz. Well, not to my knowledge.
Moving with unnatural grace, the stranger glided to the shallow end, reclined, and leveled a fathomless stare on me. “Welcome to Hakeldama, otherworlder.”
Her voice. Eerie and melodic and soul-curdling. “Who—” what “—are you?” What was a water maiden, exactly?
“I am Iris the Good, granter of your greatest desire, at your service.” The beauty dipped her head in acknowledgement.
The choir piped up. “She’s so pretty!” “A good friend to have!” “A terrible enemy to make!” “I’ve never seen one in person!”
Iris waved to them, an irritated swipe of her fingers. “Go.”
The choir members squealed and rushed from the water, then the chamber, never looking back.
“Some would call me a greedy mercenary,” Iris said, swirling a finger in the water, causing greater ripples to lap at me. “Others might compare me to a much needed savior. But either way, I’m here to aid in your return. I promise you, Moriah, you’ll never get home without me.”
Home, the magic word. “You’ve caught my interest, I admit it, but you’ve also raised my suspicions.” I’d taken a few business classes, and I knew a scarcity tactic when I heard it. Buy now or lose this opportunity forever. “You want something in return, I’m guessing.”
“Always.” Iris canted her head to the side, earrings swinging back and forth. “But if you’d like, I’ll go away and give you a few days to experience all the Wests have to offer. After you’ve experienced their…hospitality, you’ll attempt to escape and fail. Then you’ll be punished and in no condition to make the journey to Lux for weeks and weeks. Perhaps months and months. I’ll return then, when you’re eager to hear what I have to say.”