Page 34 of Villain
On the other side of Tulniri where he’d grown up, Nix was so far removed from the political happenings that he hadn’t realized things were this extreme. His only life goals had been to graduate top of his class and gain employment. He’d wanted to apply to Trav Developments, the number one gaming company in the Dual galaxy, and that had been his main focus. He’d still like to achieve that goal, but that dream had taken a backseat in lieu of getting answers for Branwen.
“It’s easy to lie in person,” Lake continued, “but much easier to do through the safety of a computer screen, don’t you agree?”
“Sure.” That was most likely what had happened to his cousin. Whoever she’d been speaking with through the app had lied and tricked her into trusting them. Then, once she’d been on the hook, they’d done something to shatter that trust.
But what?
And why?
Lake moved faster than Nix could have anticipated even if he hadn’t been caught up in his own musing, but one second they were walking, and the next, he had Nix backed up against the side of a silver hovercar. His arm was up by his shoulder, blocking him in, and his green eyes darkened as he stared Nix down as though in anger.
Though…anger for what?
He hadn’t done anything…
“This isn’t a game,” Lake said and Nix bristled.
“West is the one who called it that,” he pointed out. “So if you’re pissed because of phrasing, take it up with him.”
“Have you always been this bold?” He searched his face. “You weren’t like this on the app. You were timid there. Sensual almost. Obedient. Is this the real you, Phoenix?”
Nix shoved his arm away, pretending not to know that Lake allowed him to do so. “Regular people aren’t computers. They’re multifaceted. I can be like this with you now and still have been the same person who was with you in those chatrooms.”
“Regular people?” His eyes narrowed. “You’re insulting me.”
“You think I’m the one who’s acting different?” He jabbed a finger at the center of Lake’s chest. “Take a look in the mirror. You weren’t exactly kind there, but you were nicer than this. More understanding.”
“Understanding? Me?”
“Yes, you!” Nix faltered. “Unless…it was someone else using your username?”
“No one else is allowed to access any username but their own. Especially not at the King level. I’d hand you my multi-slate and let you try to open my account to prove it, but we’re already behind schedule.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“Yours for confusing me.”
He pulled back. “How have I confused you?” Why did it suddenly feel like Lake kept stealing his lines?
“Get in the car, Songbird.”
The door behind him beeped, and he spun around, watching as Lake rounded the car and yanked open the driver's side door. When he made no move to do the same, the Demon gave him a harsh look.
“Get in the car,” he repeated.
Nix weighed his options. They were far enough away from the cafeteria that there was little threat of Lake using an audience against him now, but what would happen if he did refuse and walk away? What then?
He’d been on campus for half a week, had been working on building an account on Enigma for a month, and what did he have to show for it?
Nothing.
Nothing but a fake crown atop a black and white image of him in a mask.
“How many Kings are there?” the question was out before he could second guess himself.
If Lake found it odd, however, he didn’t show it. “Seven, including you.”
“That’s all?”