Page 77 of The Puppet Master
“Is the money really worth more than my life?” she asks. Too confident to be manipulative. Too soft to be bitter. “I mean, you’re a billionaire, right?”
Was a billionaire.
It’s been a year since I’ve seen that money.
“How many of us have to be sacrificed before you’re rich enough?”
“Careful, Luna. We’ve already bickered.”
“I’m not bickering.”
Her voice is so full that I turn to her. She blinks, big, red eyes peering up at me as if I have all the answers she needs. As if she genuinely wants to understand. If there’s an ulterior motive, I can’t see it.
“I haven’t sacrificed anyone for money.” My chest sinks with an exhale. “That isn’t what my island was about, and that was never my intention with you. The money the cult has isn’t for me. It’s for a promise I made someone, a long time ago. It has the potential to save millions of people and keep their families, their homes, and their minds… So yes, it’s worth more than your life. It’s worth more thanmylife.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m sacrificing either of us. It just means you’re not the reason I’m here.”
“But you can take me with you.”
“No.”
“Why?” she whines, the single syllable full of defeat.
She flinches as I lay my hand on hers, grasping it like it's delicate. My thumb smooths over the back of her hand as I bring it to her lap.
I open my mouth, intent on telling her the truth, but I can’t see what good it would do. It’d only hurt her more. It’d only reveal the extent of my selfishness.
I know the way out… But I can’t take Luna with me because she’s my key to the money. Or more accurately, her ceremony is. That’s the only time all of the Keepers are in one place.
When Luna shifts impatiently, I clear my throat and spit out the first half-truth that comes to my mind. “The money is hidden within the mines, and it’s too dangerous for you to come with me to get it… As soon as it’s in my possession, I have to go. There won’t be time to come back for you.”
I watch the disappointment sink her face. Her hand pulls away from mine, her arms crossing.
“What exactly are you planning to do with the money?” Her voice is small, cautiously curious. It loosens my chest and brings my focus to the tension in my shoulders. I roll them back before flexing my neck.
“Doesn’t matter,” I finally say, turning to her. I blow out a breath and frown. “All that matters is that I’m sorry… While I’m here, I’ll do everything for you that I can.”
She bites her bottom lip and just stares at me for several excruciating seconds while I await her judgment. What a pussy I am for wanting her understanding. What amonster.
When she lets go of her lip, her throat contracts. The nod she gives is one of pure resignation. “If you won’t take me with you, fine… But no more training. If you’re leaving soon anyway, what’s the point?”
The point…
Staring into Luna’s eyes, no less strong, fiery, determined than they were two weeks ago… I don’t know.
She’s a survivor, but she won’t survive here. Not like this. Not in three weeks. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I try to prepare her. Right now, it couldn’t be more clear.
Some women just weren’t meant to be broken.
“Okay.”
Luna pulls back, crystal eyes dancing over my face. “Okay?”
I nod.
“As in no more?—”
“No more training room… No more sex.” I force a smile as I tell myself I’m giving her a kindness instead of setting the clock on her execution.
