Exported [Book 3 in the Expiring Series]

48 Khaleedessa

Colton~~

Vienna rotates the map in front of her trying to get another view.

"They got to Andrew somehow." Erik rubs his forehead, massaging what I'm sure is an oncoming headache. I have one of my own already.

"What do you think of the symbol idea?" I ask Tobias.

"Amorians are symbolic creatures, but I don't see anything that even resembles Amorian symbols here." He studies the copies of maps on which he's been drawing lines between the murder sites like a connect-the-dots game, except the dots aren't numbered and this is far from a game. "Nothing's even emerging."

"Keep trying different paths."

He burrows his hands in his hair. "The only thing I've found is that I need glasses."

Jonas sends him a glare but says nothing.

"Beta. Undici." Sebastian sets his phone on the kitchen counter where he's been camping out. Since we realized Iris and Andrew were gone, he's been on the phone with the Society and French government.

Jonas doesn't glance up at us as Tobias and I stand, leaving our work. He dials a number and tucks his phone in the crook between his shoulder and ear, a map spread out in his hands. Erik passes Jonas a second a map to study, slipping it over the first.

Once we're in the kitchen, Sebastian says, "We have to keep the Preeminence occupied." He keeps his voice low. "He knows the Amorian alphabet and symbols better than any of us." He tips his head to Tobias. "Let's see if he can uncover anything, Undici."

"Yes, Theta." Their use of decorum makes them feel distant, professional. A move I understand well. It keeps us focused on what we have to do and stops us from only worrying about how things will turn out.

Sebastian continues, "I'm worried he'll use himself as bait." A chill runs through me. "He can't be left alone."

"He won't be," I say, locking eyes with my cousin.

He holds my stare. "Swear it, Beta."

I bristle at him ordering me but stop myself from biting his head off. This is about Jonas. Iris. "I swear he won't be left alone."

Sebastian nods. "Good."

I turn from him and toward Jonas who's setting his phone on the coffee table. "Khaleedi."

He drags his gaze from the maps and up to me. He raises an eyebrow.

"We'll find her," I tell him.

"Finding her isn't what I'm worried about." His head droops, and his shoulders heave forward. There were so many times I wished to see Iris's dead body. To be the one to take her life. Now I'm quite certain I'll puke my guts up if I find her dead.

My sister. My khaleedessa. 

This edit was made by dode_zengana, and the drawing was done by her sister.