Revenant Read Online Free Page A

curtains draped down against
a few of the rock walls. At the front of the room sat a large wooden chair, elaborately
carved on the arms and back. The figures were creatures and human bodies
intertwined as if in battle. Some of the creatures had horns, and some, wings.
    Every time I saw Gage, I
was shocked by how good-looking he was, despite the long scar slanting across his forehead, which stopped
just above his right eye and marred his
perfect features. He wore an expensive suit, his white tie matching the shock
of white that streaked through his dark hair.
    Caleb bowed as soon as
he was in Gage’s presence. “My liege.” I almost laughed, only just stopping
myself at the last moment—I didn’t need to antagonize Gage. I satisfied myself
by rolling my eyes at the ridiculous formality.
    Gage ignored Caleb and
addressed me. “Things are not working out as I’d hoped.”
    “I’m doing what you
asked,” I spat.
    “True, you have been a
model prisoner.” Gage rubbed his hands together. “But we have a problem.”
    He stood there, staring
at me.
    I stayed silent.
    “You’re not a curious
creature, are you?” He leaned over and grabbed a grape from a bowl on a nearby
table. “ Gage, what is the problem ?”
he asked himself, mimicking a female voice. “Well, Colina, since you ask, the
creatures you created are starting to fall apart.” He popped the grape into his mouth and watched me for a
reaction. “You don’t seem surprised by this information. That makes me wonder if the reason you have happily
gone along with my wishes is because you knew the zombies would eventually start to fall apart. Come, come, what kind
of friends are we if we can’t tell each other such things? You don’t trust me —I can see it in your eyes. I want you to trust me. We need to build a
bridge of understanding between us if we are going to work together.”
    I bristled at his tone,
but kept my face stony. Truthfully, I wasn’t surprised that the zombies were
falling apart—Wanda, the spirit who entered the first zombie I’d made,
told me she’d been freed when the body decomposed. I wasn’t sure why Gage was
surprised—the bodies were dead and decaying, and forcing spirits into
them wouldn’t change that. I wanted to scream at him, What do you expect when you create an army of the dead? But what good
would it do?
    He leaned forward,
studying my stoic expression. “What’s wrong? Devil got your tongue? I will tell you —since you won’t ask —that your friend Wendy is not doing
so well. She tried to harm herself.” He raised his hands. “But don’t be
concerned. As primitive as this place looks, we do have access to healers. She
is recovering nicely.” He popped another grape into his mouth and when he was
done chewing, he gave me a disapproving look. “Your boyfriend has not been
cooperating. I suggested, out of the goodness of my heart, that Luke join us. He should work for me. It only makes
sense—your boyfriend has gifts that make him truly suited to this type of work, but he has been resistant to
joining our ranks.”
    He turned away from me
for a moment, pausing before turning back. “So, with all that in mind, I was
thinking this arrangement we have has not been working as well as it should. I
mean, look at you. How many days has it been since you’ve had a proper bath? You
look pale.” He motioned with his hands, and a girl a few years older than me
came out from behind one of the curtains. She was stunning, with flawless
makeup, flowing red hair, and a predatory glint in her eyes. She looked me up
and down with disdain.
    Gage gave me a wide
smile. “I think we can find better quarters for you. Get you some decent
clothes to wear, a bath, and some food to bring the color back into those
cheeks.” He turned to the girl. “Sonja will take care of your needs.”
    The girl motioned for me
to follow her, but I stood my ground. Gage was never kind or charitable. I’d
watched the grin spread across his face