“I can’t believe I missed this one. Gianna’s helped Adair before.”
“It’s like I said last night, Myla. With seven hours to plan, we’ll miss some things. Even big things. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that at this point, it’s your decision what to do next. Do you want to move forward or call this off?”
I rub my neck, considering. Adair’s a sneaky type of evil, which isn’t necessarily my strong suit. I’m more of a straightforward fight-maim-kill kind of girl. I run through the implications of each decision, moving forward or calling it off. Both seem pretty sucky. Either I wait for Adair to show me up, or I retreat and look like a cursed liar. Either way, my people could still lose their freaking minds. Ghost Riots part two.
The crowd on the risers lets out a collective gasp, interrupting my thoughts. I scan the warehouse, finding that our tin bird has finally stopped flitting from box to box. Now, it’s landed on a large crate marked Maxon Bane. There, it hops back and forth, stopping every so often to peck at the wood.
All eyes turn to me. The bird’s stopped flying around. The Orb may have been discovered. I’m supposed to make a decision and do something. As in, right now. My heart pumps so hard, I hear blood whoosh in my ears.
The energy level in the room goes through the roof. Lucifer’s Orb has been hidden for two millennia; seeing it unveiled is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. The crowd’s excitement pulses through me and suddenly, I’m back in the Arena, facing down my first demon at twelve years old. The sensations of that moment return to me, fierce and exciting. The dusty scent of the Arena air. Electric fear jangling my nerves. The crowd’s energy, pulling me onward. My warrior sense, roaring through my brain.
This press event is the same thing. It has to be.
I didn’t have any battle training when I was twelve, any more than I’ve done damage control in a press conference now. Still, I’m the kind of girl who runs into the Arena, kills now, asks questions later, and it all works out fine in the long run. A small voice in the back of my head says I’m far from the Arena these days, but I decide that voice is being a mega-wimp.
Time to turn off my brain and go into warrior mode. Forget Adair and her schemes. Screw whatever Gianna’s going to do. I’m moving forward with our plan and, somehow, I’ll make it work.
After taking a deep breath, I step in front of the risers and address the audience. Rapid-fire flash bulbs go off in my face. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today at the Grand Unveiling of Lucifer’s Orb.” The risers shake as reporters wave their arms, anxious to ask questions. I raise my hands to shoulder height, palms forward, which is the international sign for chill out. “Everyone, quiet down, now. I’ll get to your questions after we show you the Orb.” The press retake their seats.
With a dramatic flourish, I point to the final crate of the tin bird’s journey. “As you know, the enchanted bird behind me has been following a series of linked magical objects. It’s a treasure hunt, if you will. At the end of this search—the last link in the chain—is Lucifer’s Orb.” The crowd lets out a gratifying chorus of oohs and ahs. “Let’s take a look.”
I step halfway across the warehouse floor and pause. Something about this isn’t right.
Then I realize what isn’t right. Me.
I’m not in the Arena anymore. I’m the Great Scala. I can’t fight first and think later. Turning around, I scan the faces of my friends and family. Mom, Dad, Lincoln, Walker, Cissy, and the Alchemists. All of them trust my call on this Grand Unveiling. I can’t take that lightly. Turning on my heel, I walk back to the risers and press.
Barf. As much as I hate to do this, I’m calling it off.
I slap on my most confident demi-goddess face. “I appreciate your coming out today, and I’m sincerely sorry to have wasted your time. However—”
Adair rushes forward, pointing her arm at me while yelling to the risers. “See, I told you all. She’s a liar. She doesn’t have the Orb. All she has is the Bloodstone Curse. I’m the True Scala. I’m the only one who’ll save you. Show them, Myla. Show them the Orb!”
“I was just about to say that we aren’t showing anyone anything today.”
“You promised. The box is right there.” Her eyes flare red. “Show them the Orb. We’ll go together.”
I eye her carefully. She’s pushing me too hard, and getting too emotional, too quickly. It’s all quite fishy. “No, Adair.”
Moving with almost supernatural speed, Adair races over to the crate and whips off the top. A huge puff of purple smoke rises from inside. Adair waves it away with her hands.
I call to Walker. “Have the Guards clear out the area. Starting with her.”