Page 62 of Chasing Eternity
Arthur’s gaze, as deep and dark as a moonless night, pins me in place. “With the Sun and the Moon now in my possession, the Star remains the last essential item. The rest is merely decoration—a sort of window dressing, if you will.”
The revelation slams into me like a physical blow, forcing the air from my lungs and rendering my knees barely able to hold me.
No.
No-no-no-no-no!
“I probably should’ve mentioned it before,” he says, a hint of apology in his tone. “But seeing how much you enjoy the challenge, I didn’t want to deprive you of the pleasure of the hunt.”
Pleasure of the hunt?
This game has stakes far beyond what I ever imagined.
“So, it seems the time has come,” he says, hands rubbing together. “Time for you to deliver the Star, which will, in turn, allow me to fulfill my intention.”
“And that intention,” I echo, an icy shiver snaking its way down my spine, “is to remake the world?”
“Precisely,” he confirms.
30
I stand before Arthur, my body trembling, my mouth as dry as bone, grappling with the horrifying truth of his words.
I thought I had time—a year, maybe two. But Arthur has discovered a shortcut, and now there’s not enough time to devise a plan to stop him!
“I can see your disappointment,” he says, gaze sharp and unwavering. “Though you’ve greatly enjoyed these little excursions through time, I presumed you’d feel some sense of achievement on my behalf. After all, I never could’ve done this without you.”
With glazed eyes, I nod dutifully, my mind spinning with everything he’s said and all it implies. Arthur is ten steps ahead of me in this game, and I fear I may never catch up.
“Before you came to Gray Wolf, I was at a bit of a loss,” he continues. “My dream was stalled. But now, thanks to you, eternity is well within my grasp. And once you’ve secured the Star, you’ll be free of those damn misguided Timekeepers.”
I search Arthur’s face for any hint of recognition that I’m one of thosedamn Timekeepers, but his expression remains impassive, unreadable—a facade I’ve never been able to penetrate.
And yet, clearly, he knows what I am. It’s the sole reason he brought me here. Still, the question remains:Does he realize I’ve discovered my destiny? That I’m no longer the same clueless girl who first arrived on this rock?
The three golden circles beneath my sleeve begin to throb in an unbearable itch, and it’s all I can do to maintain my composure, to stand steady and firm, despite the turmoil brewing within.
Arthur stands before me, exuding the aura of a man on the cusp of achieving a long-cherished dream. For him, this moment is triumphant, but for me the revelation lands with a daunting gravity. Time is slipping through my grasp faster than I ever imagined, and I have no idea how to stop it.
“Natasha, are you all right?” Arthur’s tone softens, a hint of concern threading through his words.
Drawing in a deep breath, I try to wade through the storm of my thoughts. “I’m just surprised,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “I though you wanted to fully restore the Antikythera Mechanism—see it in its entirety, with all its original pieces and components intact, including the original box it was encased in. There are still so many pieces left to be found, but now it seems—”
Arthur, his patience evidently worn thin, sharply interrupts. “You’ve been aware of my true intentions from the start,” he says, his intense gaze locking onto mine.
I swallow past the bile rising in my throat, silently urging my stomach not to betray me. The air between us is charged with a palpable tension, but I know I can’t afford to let Arthur see my uncertainty.
“And exactly how do you plan to remake the world, once I bring you the Star?” I ask, meeting the challenge in his gaze. I remind myself that I have every right to ask. He can achieve his dream only if I’m willing to cooperate.
After an agonizingly long stretch of silence, he says, “It will be a place of great beauty.” As though that were somehow enough. As though his version of beauty is one-size-fits-all.
Though, having caught a glimpse of his remade world, I can at least confirm he’s telling his version of the truth.
“Now,” he says, directing me back to the task at hand. “Once you’ve made your selection, you may leave. But a word of advice: Use your time wisely, study the engraving, and ensure you’re well-rested. Your next Trip will demand your best.”
“You mean my next Trip to locate the Star?” I ask, needing confirmation.
Arthur gives a sharp, decisive nod.