Page 101 of Intolerable Bishop

I looked away from Liam and thought about that. I’d pictured tonight being full of rage and malice and what that would look like when Myles refused their task if it was what he suspected. Could there actually be a different outcome? It seemed too early to hope, and yet I was going to cling to it with both hands.

“Have you had your initiation,” I asked.

“No.”

“When is your birthday?”

“October thirteenth,” he said without any emotion. I couldn’t tell if he cared about it or not.

“Are you scared for your initiation?”

Liam turned his head and looked at me. “No.”

“Can I ask you another question?”

“Until I leave this spot, you can ask me whatever you want.”

I really wanted to say that a simple yes would’ve sufficed, but I kept it to myself. “Why aren’t you scared?”

He shrugged. “What’s the point in being scared? If I’m meant to die, then I’ll be dead. It’s that simple. I’m not afraid to die. I’m not even afraid of how I’ll die. I am afraid of not living my life with whatever time I have left. Could be a day, a month, ten years, fifty years.” He leaned back on his hands and looked up at the stars. “I’ll live each day fully until I stop breathing. However, it ends.”

Blinking, I stared at the side of his face. “Is that why you refused to acknowledge for so long that you and Theo were together?” Liam glanced over. “Theo told me a bit of what’s going on and why things are still rocky. I may have pestered him for the answer.”

“I bet you did,” Liam mumbled. “No, that’s not the reason, and no, I’m not answering any more questions on the topic.”

I sighed and mimicked his pose, letting my head fall back so I could stare up at the dark blanket of stars. “Thank you,” I said into the silence.

“For what?”

“For coming over here to check on me. I’m sorry that you feel like you’re losing Theo if he’s the person who keeps you grounded. But for the record, I’ll say it again. I have no intention of purposely driving you two apart. If things get ruined, it’s because the two of you are too stubborn, and one of you more than the other.” I glanced at him from the corner of my eye as he made a huffing sound.

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think Nash will let any of them kill Myles. Nash hides his love and loyalty, but he wouldn’t stand by and watch that happen. Theo mentioned that Nash had an idea. Whatever it is…I’d hold onto hope that it works.”

It felt impossible that I had any more tears to shed. I’d been crying since the moment Myles had to leave. But they slid silently down my cheeks as I whimpered. A small sob escaped my throat as Liam put his arm around my shoulders, and I leaned my head on him.

“Thank you,” I said, my throat constricted with emotion.

“You’re all good, Little Rabbit. Let it out. Let it all out.”

AUGUST 10 – WEDNESDAY 11:11 PM

Myles

The day had been long and grueling, and it wasn’t over yet. I’d been forced to compete in extreme obstacles and even shooting challenges. Then, it was time to face my deepest fears and revisit the things that kept me awake and staring at the ceiling all night. They’d ordered me to take some drug. I didn’t know which one, but I’d been tripping on it ever since. It started with seeing colors and hearing them speak to me. I really liked the color green.

After that, I was locked in a metal box with one breathing hole along the side. My nose was pressed firmly against the hole while my heart hammered out of control. The only thing that kept me calm was picturing Ren in the box with me, her arms wrapped around me while she whispered that I would be fine.

The bastards weren’t even close to being done with me when they switched off the lights and left me alone with nowhere to go and only my fears for company. Recordings of a woman crying and screaming—that I would’ve sworn were my Ma—started playing through the speakers. If I hadn’t watched her being lowered into the ground, I would’ve been yelling back.

I did see her body…didn’t I?

Sweat dripped into my eyes, making them sting and reminding me that they were open even though I couldn’t see anything but endless darkness.

“Help me, Myles. Please save me! Only you can save my life. Please help.” The words were a variation of the same thing over and over again, and they were the exact blow they were meant to be, making me feel weak and useless. Of course, my da would choose her. It was an evil weapon and one that drove a stake right through my heart with each terrified wail blasted around me.

Myles, you need to do what they say.

I jumped at the whispered words in my ear, and my head slammed against the top of the box.