Page 30 of I Am the Storm

Maybe there is no answer. Maybe the whole point is to question, and to keep questioning as we strive to find our way in this messy world.

After spending too much time studying the brothers and thinking about Cole, I turn my attention to the window and watch as the landscape changes. Where before we crossed through either wide expanses of open land or crowded but comfortably situated populated areas, now we move into the type of area I haven't seen in this world before, though I'm familiar enough with it from my own. Ruined buildings scatter the landscape, climbing with ivy and covered in moss as nature takes back its own. The roads are dirt and full of holes and rocks, making the journey dangerous and painful. As we come closer to the town, the poverty and unsuitable living conditions become more glaring. Malnourished children of various races run around naked, covered in dirt and slime. Entire families live in shelters constructed with bits of stick propping up palm branches as makeshift roofs. Insects buzz everywhere, more well fed than any of the people living here. What little clothing exists consists of torn rags hanging off emaciated bodies.

Though there's plenty of wilderness, there's little in the way of farmland or food sources. It's clear no Enforcer has been here in ages, if ever. Nothing has been done to create suitable living arrangements for the people here. The world has forgotten them.

We reach the end of the road and have to disembark and make our way on foot from there. The smell hits me first. Rot and bodily waste mix with the smell of cooking grains and unwashed children. I stifle the urge to gag and take shallow breaths. Cole steps up next to me, leading the way down a small alley.

"This is what coloring within the lines gets you,mon cher," he says. His eyes are full of pain as he looks around at those suffering. "Playing by the rules, following those in command…it only serves those in power. These are the people who pay the price."

We reach the end of the alley where two basilisks guard one of the only standing structures in this village. They’re both dressed in dirty white robes, their large serpentine bodies framing a double door made of ashen wood. They are more snake than human, and like the guard who died at the nest, they wear blindfolds over their eyes. Their reptilian tongues flick out of their mouths, tasting the air.

"It hassss been sssssome time, Cole," one says, his words coming out as a hiss.

"It's good to see you, Raz. How are the kids?"

Raz nods his head. "Sssstrong, like their mother. And you? What do you sssssseek?"

"We request an audience with Lyx, if she is able to see us," Cole says with respect in his voice.

The second basilisk hisses and turns her face to the other Night brothers. "I know you," she says. "Traitorsssss to our causssse. You are not welcome here." Then she turns to me, testing the air with her tongue. "You, I do not know."

"Bron," Cole says to the female, "this is Eve Oliver. She's with me."

"Eve Oliver," Bron says, testing my name aloud.

The basilisks pause, and the two of them touch their heads together, whispering through hisses.

Raz raises his head to speak. "Cole and the woman may enter. The resssst musssst remain."

Sebastian steps forward and I cringe, knowing this is not going to go well.

"I'm not leaving her alone with Cole. He's dangerous," Sebastian says.

"It's my life on the line," Liam says. "I should be the one to go."

"Guys, I'll be okay. No good will come from making a scene. This is our one chance to talk to her. Trust me, okay? I can take care of myself," I say, giving both of them a reassuring hand squeeze.

Then Cole, not helping matters in the least, throws an arm over my shoulder. "And I'll be sure to look out for her, too. She'll be well cared for in my very capable hands."

The earth tremors slightly as Sebastian clenches his jaw and fists, ready to strike out at his brother.

I slip away from Cole and glare at him, then shoot a look at Sebastian. "Wait for us at the carriage," I say.

He nods, then turns sharply away. Derek and Elijah give me half-hearted smiles but say nothing.

Liam grabs my arm. "Be careful. With all of them."

I nod, then follow Cole, leaving the others behind.

We enter through the double doors into a large room. Intricate rugs are intermittently spread over the dirt-packed floors and pewter lamps with colored glass hang on the walls. The air is perfumed with burning herbs and scented oils, and at the end of the room several people are lounging on purple and red pillows. In the center of the group is the Beggar Queen—Lyx. Though she, too, sits on a pillow, a goblet of wine at her side, she stands out amongst them all. Her gown is pure white. Her hair is long and silver—the same color as her eyes. She glows like a star against the night sky. Like a diamond.

"I recognize her," I whisper to Cole. "Her likeness was carved into the ruins in England."

He nods as we approach.

The queen stands and opens her arms to greet us. Cole walks into them, giving the woman an affectionate hug. She pats his face, studying him, then tilts her head and kisses his forehead. "Watch yourself, my son. You are teetering close to the abyss."

"That's the only way to truly find balance," Cole says, with a charming grin.