Read Online Invincible by Dawn Metcalf - Free Book Online Page B

voice crumbled her pride to dust. “If you are a descendant of Elementals, then you would thus qualify as the Destroyer of Worlds.”
    Joy stared at him, ice racing through her veins. “No,” she whispered. “No, that can’t be...” And yet the words echoed Maia’s. The implications sank in. “But I’m not!”
    â€œNot yet,” Graus Claude agreed. “And that is why it is imperative that we bring the King and Queen back to ensure that it shall not be.” His four hands slapped his long, banded thighs. “Your initial theory of how to best reverse the change is, in fact, our best option—to convince the King and Queen to Return and undo their proclamation and your state of being is our best hope. In fact, I would wager that you may be the only one who can do it, as there are few who possess the knowledge of what may be to come, and I cannot accompany you through the door. No one else save Maia and Master Ink know the extent of these implications as omens of a next Age, and they have both been neatly bound.” The Bailiwick ran a clawed hand across the length of his chin. “I admit I am greatly impressed by his ability to have accurately assessed the situation—another coup to my credit, I suppose.”
    â€œThe next Age?” Joy echoed. It sounded like something Aniseed’s clone might say in her thin, wretched voice.
    â€œTime is a long, winding river road,” he said. “The Folk have come to know its tides and swells, its tributaries, its swamps and switchback turns. Years have a shape to them, a pattern, an era, and each of our eras have been marked by an Age. Perhaps it is time for the Age of Man to finally be at an end. Perhaps the Golden Age that Aniseed promised has begun?” Joy froze at his words. His eye ridge quirked. “But not yet, I think. And I would not welcome it any more than you.”
    She exhaled in a rush, adrenaline skittering down her limbs. She shuffled back and forth on her heels, unable to pace, taking half steps and turning back, unsure where to go or what to do. She felt caged, trapped. Her fingers wrung nothing but air.
    â€œSo what now?” she squeaked.
    â€œIt would behoove us to consider that the best course of action may be to ‘lie low’ until Kurt or Maia or one of your other associates makes contact. It has not been long enough for us to accrue formal charges to speak before the Council—my preemptive freedom from incarceration notwithstanding—but they will no doubt be very interested to speak with you,” he said archly. “Your voluntary cooperation will likely be considered optional.”
    â€œGreat. So we’re just supposed to sit and wait, praying my father doesn’t bump into you in the meantime?”
    The Bailiwick squeezed the sponge over his head. Water coursed down his jowls and off the crest of his chin. “Indeed, that would be best for both of our sakes,” he said. “However, I suspect you and I both chafe at the idea of ‘doing nothing’ and, given the severity of our situation and the instability of our positions reminiscent of our preparations for your gala, I believe you already know what course of action I would advise.”
    Joy stopped pacing. “Yeah,” she said, remembering. A slow smile spread across her lips. “We cheat.”

FIVE
    JOY CHECKED THE peephole before opening the door and gratefully accepted a large latte from her best friend.
    â€œYou are a wonderful human being!” Joy said, and sipped the edge of drizzled foam.
    â€œIt’s true,” Monica agreed. “And I know for a fact that you can’t lie.”
    Joy grinned. “Thanks for coming.” She shut the door and locked it with the bolt, the chain and set the alarm.
    â€œAlways,” Monica said breezily. “Although perhaps four o’clock on Monday morning isn’t my finest hour. I’ll be expecting a