Hail to the Queen (Sage Trilogy, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

skin, her electric purple aura flaring up and lifting her hair towards the dome ceiling.
    When the captured man came into view, he looked nothing like she expected. He was wearing baby blue colored pants that were far too baggy, and a black suit jacket that covered up a plain white t-shirt underneath. His feet were hideously large and splashed in puke green slippers. His hair was straight and combed on the left but wild and dirty on the right, dyed a myriad of colors and hues. His eyes were normal at least, and were actually quite attractive, giving off a gorgeous hazel. But his smile…his smile was abnormally large, as if the ends of his mouth could stretch to the back of his neck if he desired. His teeth were unbelievably perfect in structure and color, and he wasn’t shy about showing them off to the world.
    “AH, NADIA!” he called out as soon as he saw her. “I was wondering when we would see each other again. I was beginning to think something horrible happened to you.”
    “How does he know my name?” Nadia demanded to the Quietus on the left. Both were in full Quietus form but still Catherine could see the fear in their eyes. Nadia was undoubtedly their leader.
    “Don’t scold,” the bound man replied. “They haven’t said a word. I just know these things.”
    “Is that so, Monster?” Nadia said, scowling down at him as they men stopped walking. They now stood only a few feet from their leader and Catherine.
    “Now, now,” he smiled. “Shouldn’t you be a little kinder to your captive? I mean, he might just start to feel unwanted, and when people feel unwanted…they do things to get attention.”
    “Let’s stop the games. I know full well you can break out of those ropes whenever you please.”
    “Then why the pretense? Why can’t we just go inside your lovely crawlspace and have some tea?”
    “I have questions.”
    “And there are answers. Doesn’t mean they are the right ones. Doesn’t mean they are the ones you want to hear. Seriously, how do I even know if you have the right questions?”
    “Where did you come from?”
    “You already asked that one. This is boring.”
    “You haven’t given me a straight answer yet.”
    “Because I see no reason to. Now, if you had the power…like say, your new friend here.”
    The man turned his gaze to Catherine and smiled wider. Catherine reeled her head back in di sgust but maintained her gaze.
    “My name is Jester,” the man replied. “And you must be Catherine. I’ve heard a lot about you. Tell me, what are you doing here in the middle of the Quietus village? Didn’t they slaughter your people? Rip their stomachs open, take the guts and –“
    “SHUT UP!” Catherine shouted in his face. Jester didn’t budge.
    “You’re cute when you’re angry. Can you make that face again?”
    “Who are you?” Catherine shouted, pointing a finger at him. “Tell me or I will use my power.”
    “Threatening is not your strong suit,” he laughed. “You should leave that to your Sages. They’re much better at this than you are. I mean, just look at what they did to Languor. They were a thriving, successful Kingdom that left yours alone even though you took their people on a regular basis for your sick games. And then you have to go and murder their King and Queen in cold blood! Really, you should be the one bound to this chair!”
    “You’re lying,” Catherine stammered, her heart pounding.
    “Oh, I always tell the truth. You’re the one fibbing right now. Don’t start blubbering and act like you didn’t know. Deep down, you knew. You knew what your mentors did. You know who the real monsters are. You Allayans. Taking the stones of each Kingdom for yourself while you say it’s all to remove an ether from the sky. What a joke. Even I don’t think that one’s funny. Tell me a different story.”
    “You are a monster,” Catherine said low as she took a step back.
    “Looking in the reflection of my eyes, Princess?” Jester laughed.