Every Last Kiss, Final Copy, June 30, 2011 by Courtney Cole Read Free Book Online

and wrinkled with glittering black kohl-rimmed eyes.  Their heads were shaved and they both wore long black robes. They seemed to have been cast from the same mold. 
          “What do you think I am doing?” Annen countered calmly.  “I’m explaining to Charmian a few things that she deserves to know.  Did you think they could keep me imprisoned forever?”
          “You know nothing!” Ahmose spit angrily. “And you should not speak of that which you do not know!”  He turned to me.
          “Charmian, you have known me a very long time.  I would not lead you astray.  Do not listen to his lies.”
          His tone was almost pleading and it alarmed me.  He was all-knowing, always in control.  Why did he feel the need to appeal to me? I was just a Keeper.  He was an Aegis, an elevated priest who stood directly before the Fates on a regular basis. Before I could consider his motives further, though, Annen leaned toward me. 
          “Remember what I’ve told you, Charmian.  Every word is true.   We’ll speak more later,” he rasped, before he was suddenly gone. I spun around the room in a circle—but he had disappeared.  I turned warily back to Ahmose, who was standing in place, calmly assessing me. 
          “I don’t understand any of this,” I said softly.  “Was he telling the truth?”
          “I’m not certain what exactly he told you, Charmian, but I can assure you that I’ve never lied to you.”
          “Not that you know of,” I continued carefully.  “But maybe you’ve been lied to, as well.”
          “Do not go down that path, Charmian,” he cautioned.  “It is true that I am not always informed of the Moirae’s motives or intentions.  But I do know that we have a higher purpose and it has always been just.  Think about this- do you really think there is no plan to life?  That things are meant to simply fall where they may?  I think not. That would be utter chaos.”
          “But if Annen is lying, then what is his motive?” I pondered. “And who imprisoned him?”
          “I do not know his motive,” Ahmose admitted.  “And I don’t know many details of his imprisonment.  All I know is that he was captured by the Moirae here in Alexandria long ago.  I do not know their reason and I haven’t seen him since...until now.  But let us not waste any more time on it. He is clearly misguided.  Come now.  Take out your bloodstone- let us return you to where you belong.”
          Normally, I wouldn’t have let the matter rest, except one important thing distracted me now.  My bloodstone was no longer lying on the bed. 
          I whirled around, gazing at every corner of the room.  It wasn’t here.  My panicked eyes met Ahmose’s.
          “What?” he demanded.  “What is wrong?”
          “My bloodstone,” I whispered.  “It’s not here.  Annen must have taken it with him.  Which means..”
          “Which means that you are trapped here,” Ahmose confirmed, staring harshly at me.
          “I’m sorry,” I stammered.  “I had no idea that he would take it…”
          But Ahmose was already shaking his head. 
          “I cannot be angry with you for that, Charmian,” he muttered.  “Annen stole your bloodstone from my safe-keeping.  So how could I be angry with you for the same thing?”
          He turned and stared out the windows at the sparkling sea, his back rigid and ramrod straight.  He stayed silent and unmoving for so long that I was getting ready to prompt him when he turned to me again.
          “Charmian, whatever his motives are, he is trying to force your hand.  He has trapped you here for a reason.  Perhaps he wants you to change things to an outcome that better suits him.  I know not.  But you must not change anything.  Do you understand the seriousness of our situation?  We’re treading a very treacherous