They claimed this was a punishment for my offenses against them, but there was much more to the story. The Seers, too, had played a part.
Luckily for them, I do not give a fuck. I was the man who could find anything or anyone, and my focus was on finding a way to achieve my goal. Death.
Until then, I would play along, and ending Ten Club before I died had to be done regardless. I’d made a promise to Mia. Too little, too late, but I would keep it.
“I didn’t see a struggle,” Jeni finally replied, “but I passed out for a few minutes.”
“Passed out? In the middle of being attacked?” Appalling. How would she protect herself after I was gone? Seers needed to be on their guard. Always.
“You weren’t answering me, so I went for help.”
Ah. Now I understood. “Did you see my daughter?” I sensed Ariadna’s presence at all hours of the day, but she had not shown herself since the night I learned the truth about my inability to die.
“Yes. She asked about you,” Jeni said.
I nodded. “Next time you see her, ask when these games will be over.”
“Games?”
“I want a plan. Tell me what must be done and by when so I can be free.” I did not plan to wait for anyone, but it was important the Seers believed they were in control.
Jeni raised a brow.
“Got something to say, Seer?”
“You can read my mind. So read it.”
I did not have the energy at the moment. It had taken all of my power to summon my soul to kill Victor. To my surprise, I’d felt it fully return to me for a brief moment, and that was when my plans changed. I could not forgo the opportunity.
But could I hang onto my soul long enough to depart? I’d had to try. So I’d hopped aboard Victor’s boat and sought out one of his security guards, who did not hesitate to put a bullet in my head.
“You tried to cheat?” Jeni gasped.
“I saw an opportunity to die, and I took it.”
“Now I know why you or your shadow didn’t answer my cries for help. Thanks a lot.”
Jeni knew by now who and what I was. Why did it still surprise her when I acted in a self-serving manner?
I shook my head. She’s never going to learn.
“Says the man who’s in this situation because he cheated his way through life,” Jeni quipped.
“I cheated death. That is not the same as cheating one’s way through life.” I fought hard for everything I had, for every breath I took, waiting for my life to intersect with Mia’s. She had been from this time, but we’d met when I was still just a man. A king. Unfortunately, an injury inflicted upon her by Hagne, a Seer who was once my betrothed, forced Mia to go home and seek medical attention. In her injured state, Mia needed help to make the leap, and the Seers gave it. For a sacrifice. She could never return to my time, and I had to stay behind. If I ever wished to see Mia again, I would have to stay alive and endure thousands of years without her. None of that had been easy. I’d almost given up several times.
“Now that Victor’s dead,” said Jeni, “and your plan to skip living-town didn’t work, what’s next?”
“We rest and tomorrow fly to Heathrow.”
“Why?” Her brown eyes lit up.
“Sage, the next Ten Club member, lives north of London. She, too, will be expecting us.”
“You. She’ll be expecting you. Because I don’t have a passport.”
Good. Jeni was a liability anyway.
“Thanks,” she grumbled.
It is the truth. “Did you not just end up abducted by Victor only to be saved by a mysterious stranger?”
“Only because you veered from the plan. You were supposed to go in and kill Victor, not try to kill yourself.”
I sometimes found Jeni’s innocence and naiveté to be charming. This was not such an occasion. “I am an opportunist. You might try it sometime. I also recommend you rest.” The tussle with Victor had rattled her. She looked exhausted, and the Seer light around her felt weak, as if she were being drained.
“I’m fine, King. And can’t you just mindfuck the immigration agent or something so I can go with you?”
“I could. But I won’t.” Drop it, Seer. I mean it.
“No. I won’t drop it. We discussed this already. I’m supposed to be with you and—”
“I do not require a babysitter, and the only reason I allowed you to come to Miami was because you begged for a front-row seat to Victor’s death. It was a moment of weakness I regret.” Keep pushing me, Jeni, and I will throw you from this car.
You don’t scare me, she replied silently.
Yes, I noticed. Which made me question her sanity.
“So this is it?” she said. “We’re going our separate ways now?”