Call of the Colossus: An epic fantasy novel (The Mindstream Chronicles Book 2) by K.C. May Read Free Book Online Page B

government would fall. I’m as interested in self-preservation as anyone—perhaps more so. The very foundation of Serocia’s existence depends on maintaining order and trust in our leadership, wouldn’t you agree?”
    “Yes, of course,” she said. “But what about the smuggling? It has to stop. If someone is profiting by sending godfruit to our enemies, it’s only prolonging this war.”
    “I absolutely agree with you,” the king said. “If someone is undermining our efforts to defend the Tree and its fruit, then by the might of the challenger, I will stop him.” He struck the arms of his chair with the undersides of his fists to punctuate his words. She noticed a gleam of silver on his wrist inside his sleeve and concluded he wore a wrist cuff like the princess did. A symbol of leadership, perhaps. Or was it something more?
    Jora relaxed, feeling a measure of relief she hadn’t known in months. Finally, someone with the power and inclination to get to the bottom of this matter and stop it.
    “The nerve of him, whoever he is.” His face, so kindly when he’d first walked in, was now red with anger and indignation. “And on my word, he will be caught and punished.”
    “Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked.
    He cocked his head and regarded her pensively. “Yes,” he said, wagging one finger at her. “Yes, there is. I would like to strike a bargain with you, if you’ll hear me out.”
    A bargain? Jora nodded, intrigued, hoping he was about to ask for her help. She would gladly give it, but she hadn’t considered that he would offer something in exchange.
    “Despite your unassuming manner,” King Yaphet said with a gentle smile, “I’m not going to pretend you’re just another citizen. You’re the most powerful person in the kingdom, perhaps in the entire world. I’d dearly love to count you among my allies.”
    Jora flinched, but she recognized a moment later that the word allies meant something different to him than it did to her. She swallowed and nodded, returning his smile. She appreciated his honesty. Elder Sonnis had wanted to treat her like a silly girl whom he could order around and control. Though she wanted what was best for Serocia, she was the Gatekeeper, and she would use her powers to do what was right, whether they liked it or not.
    “To that end, I need your–”
    The door swung open. Jora and King Yaphet both flinched in surprise. Dominee Ibsa swept into the room with a wicked smile on her face. Jora groaned inwardly.
    “Dominee,” the king said, rising to his feet. “What is it?”
    Behrendt followed her in and gave the king an apologetic shrug, his lips pinched together in regret.
    “The topic of this conversation interests me. I am, after all, the Minister of Truth, and it’s the truth that we’re concerned with here, is it not?”
    King Yaphet pressed his lips together and nodded. His entire demeanor changed. No longer was he the relaxed, smiling man Jora had met moments earlier. Now he seemed tense and guarded. “I was just telling Miss Lanseri that I intend to get to the bottom of the smuggling.” He gestured to the sofa as an invitation for her to join them.
    “The alleged smuggling,” Dominee Ibsa said, her voice smoothly patronizing. She sat demurely, taking her time to arrange the length of her robe over her legs before turning her gray eyes to Jora. “Your investigators can handle that. The Gatekeeper’s extraordinary talents should be put to use otherwise.”
    “Investigators, yes,” the king said. “I’ll assign a team of them to the matter. People I trust. If—and when—my investigators find evidence of it and trace it to its roots, the perpetrators will face charges of treason.”
    Again, Jora nodded. He seemed sincere and honest as well as warm. She liked him. “I appreciate that, Your Majesty. It relieves me that you’re as upset as I am by the idea of someone smuggling godfruit to our enemies for profit. Thank you for believing me.