Victoria Moschou's Blog, page 95
June 6, 2019
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally… 
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
BOOK REVIEW: To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo ~ What the HELL was that? *SPOILER FREE* (Mostly…)
~ To Kill A Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
[image error]
This was one of the most misleading opening lines I have ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE!
Hello awesome nerds and welcome to the first book review for the month of June.
I really wish things would’ve been different, but boy, that book was not good! Despite the EPIC opening line, despite the main idea (a darker version of The Little Mermaid’s tale), despite all that, it was just… not good!
You’ll see what I mean in a little while. But, for the time being, let’s see the synopsis of this book.
“Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?”
I mean, come on! Who would’ve thought that this was going to be a bad book? It had a fierce, female anti-heroine, a pirate prince, sirens, adventure… It’s like it was practically begging me to read it!
[image error]
And yet…
Oh gosh… Where do I even begin with this novel?
There was too much telling, rather than showing, from a certain point onwards it was repetitive the least and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, at least in my opinion. That’s probably the main reason why I didn’t enjoy the book, aside from it being way too slow-paced for my liking.
Elian kept saying what a villain and a vigilante he was, and yet he’s actions proved that he was simply… boring.
As for Lira, I honestly expected more from her, being the main character of this book. I was hoping for an anti-heroine that I would love, and yet she put me to sleep multiple times. Literally…
June 3, 2019
PROJECT GEEK ~ CHAPTER 9
Hello awesome nerds and welcome back to another Project Geek chapter!
It’s been a while since I shared a rough chapter with you but, long story short, I was dealing with a huge writer’s block and only recently I started writing on a daily basis again.
Don’t get me wrong, I was still working on my WIPs, but I was simply editing and redrafting stories that have already taken form. This is new territory to me and I hope that I will manage to work more on this new project, as well as on The Auras’ Chest sequel during the upcoming months.
I have already ranted a lot and you probably want to read the new chapter. Sit back comfortably, dearies, get something to drink (or eat) and enjoy (I hope)!
[image error]
Chapter 9
IVY
“You don’t look like someone whose earth is her father’s ceiling,” Zachariah Hudson says the moment I come to stand right across him. “I mean, I know it’s been, what… Four years now? But I guess losing a parent leaves a mark, a scar deep inside your soul. I couldn’t know it for myself, but they say that this scar is eternal.”
I swear my heart skips a beat the moment his words sink in, the moment I realise that he knows.
Holy shit, he knows!
His smirk is all the answer I need. I take a few steps back, hitting on the cool wall behind me. The narrow alley next to Mummy’s is empty, except for the patisserie’s parked van. I’m so thankful for that. I can only imagine how my not-so-perfect face looks right now. Pale skin. Eyes wide with terror. That guilty look. Lips pressed together, forming a thin line. In a nutshell, the face of a criminal, a rebel, at least according to our society’s standards. Because every non-Phi person is a potential criminal, a potential rebel in the government’s mind.
And I am indeed one of the ultimate rebel.
“So, the way I see it right now, miss Belcher, you have two options here,” he goes on, as I remain cowardly, pathetically silent. “Either you come and work with me,” he purrs and his smirk only grows wider, “or I go to the police right now and tell them that you are the one behind all this disturbing public unrest. Imagine what will happen to daddy dearest when the federal secret organisations find out that, though they caught the leader of the riots, his second-in-command has been working tirelessly all these years to make sure that his vision will actually become a reality.”
I don’t know what you’re talking about. Which federal secret organisation? Which riot? Second-in-command? Are you referring to me?
Every single one of these questions, these excuses, seems more pathetic than the previous one. Because, despite what I say next, I can’t change the facts. Zachariah Hudson knows. He knows Dad is alive. He knows he never died in that car crash four years ago. He knows I’m the person behind the riots. The only true question is…
“How?” I manage to utter, my voice nothing more than a whisper.
“You’re family isn’t the only one with money and connections,”he says, the joy almost palpable in his tone. “I can only imagine how important prestige and fame are to you, if your mother was willing to pay that much money to ensure that you three ladies would be seen as those who want to stick to the status quo, while your father was the one who was dreaming of a better, more just world.”
It’s those last words that hurt the most. A better, more just world. A world that will never take its true form, now that my secret, our secret, has been revealed. Then again, it’s always been a matter of time, considering how many people know about it. Mum, Marissa, Stella, Alex and I. Five individuals. People use to say that two can keep a secret if one of them is dead. I should turn into a mass murderer if I wanted to keep mine hidden, buried under the seemingly perfect front Mum and Marissa have managed to maintain all those years.
I look straight into Zachariah Hudson’s eyes and all I can see is satisfaction. Somehow he knows he has won. He knows I won’t be able to deny his proposal. He knows I’ll do anything to protect my father, to protect our cause.
“Aren’t you going to say anything, dear Ivy?” he asks, his grin permanent on his face.
“I am,” I reply.
He wants to see me tremble. He wants to silence me.
I want to see him trying.
“So?” he chuckles.
“You’re right,” I say. “Everything you said is true. And though it’ll hurt me when I will abandon my cause, it hurts more when I think of what these monsters are capable of doing to my father.”
Well, at least that part is true , I think.
“I need an answer, miss Belcher,” Zachariah Hudson says. “And I need it now.”
“Do you have somewhere else to be?” I ask and I am struck by my boldness.
It seems Zachariah Hudson is, too, because the next moment he walks closer, leaning in, his face, his entire body only inches away from mine.
“My time is precious,” he murmurs and his mint-scented breath makes me prickle. “And frankly, if you don’t accept right now, I know there are others who will kill to get what I’m offering. They will kill you. And your father.”
“You’re threatening me, Mr. Hudson,” I say, no sign of doubt in my tone.
“I’m simply warning you, miss,” he whispers, his eyes flying from my eyes to my lips and then back again.
Is he trying to mock me? I wonder.
“So… what’s it gonna be, then?” Zachariah Hudson asks and only then he walks away.
Only then I realise how short, shallow my breath has become. I take a deep one and now it is I that walk closer to him.
“I will accept your offer…”
“Splendid!” Zachariah Hudson exclaims.
“If,” I cut in, “you vouch for my father’s safety. And I’m talking about a signed statement of assurance.”
“You are in no position to haggle,” he snarls and that gloating smile finally faints.
“On the contrary, Mr. Hudson,” I chirp, trying to mimic Marissa’s snarky tone. “I believe I have every right to bargain, considering that you’re the one who will make the biggest profit out of this deal. I will still be a non-Phi person, while you on the other hand will practically save the world from those who want to reform it.”
He cringes as if I managed to hit a nerve. I hope I have. Then again, what does he know about the injustice people like me have to face every day? He is a Golden-Ratio-following man, a pretty wealthy man, that is, and I’m just… me. A smart, yet unpleasing to the eye, girl.
I’m sure that’s what Zachariah Hudson thinks as he keeps measuring me from head to toe, and for a moment I think that he will leave, ready no doubt to go and fulfil his threat. And yet…
“We have a deal,” he says, reaching out to shake my hand. With the other one, he fumbles for something inside his linen pants’ pocket.
I shake his outstretched hand and only then he pulls his other one out of his pocket, an elegant business card lying inside his palm.
“Here’s my email,” he says, offering the card to me.
I reach out to take it. Our fingers barely touch but the static electricity forces me to grab it faster, not to mention clumsier than I wanted to.
“Send your resume by midnight or whatever oral contract we just made ceases to exist,” is all he says before he walks away, away from the narrow alley and in to the bustling street once again.
I don’t even have the chance to protest. Frankly, I don’t want to. I know better than throw away a good deal. Especially now that my plan, Dad’s plan, is going to be put into motion.
***
“I’m gonna kill that son of a bitch!” Alex growls when I finish telling him everything that happened while he was still in the kitchen baking, and Stella was making sure Marissa wouldn’t appear out of nowhere to eavesdrop, or worse find out that I have managed to keep my secret identity hidden from her for the past four years.
“No, you won’t,” I say, though I can’t help but smile.
I may not be the first person someone will invite to a fancy party, but those few friends I have worth a thousand times more than all those show-off Golden-Ratio-following people I come across every day. My friends are even willing to put up a fight with beasts like Zachariah Hudson and his lot. Or at least Alex is. I would never force Stella to do something like that, and that is the reason why she only knows the basics of our extra-curricular activities outside of Mummy’s. She has a life. She has a future. And she will still have a future, despite the outcome of our cause. I cannot take that future away from her. I won’t.
“You know this will put all of us in grave danger, Ivy,” Alex says. “Not just you and Ethan. All of us!”
“Relax,” I say.
The kitchen’s door cracks open and we both flinch.
“Everything all right, pumpkins?” Stella asks as she stands at the threshold, her forehead glowing with sweat.
Just another typical day that Marissa pretends to be the boss and does nothing, I think.
“Sure, everything’s fine, Stella,” I reply, a genuine smile spreading on my face. Because that’s the effect Stella has on people. And if things were different, I would be honoured to have her fight for our cause, too. But the riots are growing more dangerous by the day, and something tells me they may become lethal soon.
“Good,” she chirps. “I wanna hear everything the Hudson boy and you talked about. Later.”
And with those words she goes back to the buzzing front are of our patisserie.
“Great. Just great,” Alex murmurs. “She’ll have to pick a side. Soon!”
“No, she won’t,” I protest. “I will simply tell her that he offered to take me to this internship program, that’s all.”
“This is Stella we’re talking about, Ivy,” Alex objects. “She will ask for details.”
“Then I will give her as few as possible,” I say.
Alex sighs. I can see it in his eyes that he has many things to say, many possible scenarios that he can contradict me with, still he remains silent. Either because he’s tired of our little debate or because he knows I’ve made my decision, I cannot tell.
I walk closer to him, reaching out to hug him. His brawny hands lock around me as he takes me in his embrace.
“Don’t worry, Alex,” I whisper close to his ear.
“I’m not worried,” he whispers back. “It’s just…”
“I know,” I say. “But it’s been quite long now that the government and almost all the Golden ones try to suffocate us, to make us break. It’s been quite long now that they keep underestimating us. I will prove to that beast, and to everyone like him, that they shouldn’t have done so.”
“But he knows who you are,” Alex protests and his grip loosens. He pushes me back to look straight into my eyes. “To him, you’re not Ivy Belcher. You’re the Witty Liberal.”
“Indeed I am,” I say. “But don’t forget, my friend, that everyone has a secret they don’t even want to tell themselves. I will make Zachariah Hudson confess his.”
© Victoria Moschou. All Rights Reserved 2019.
What do you guys think? What’s Zac’s secret? Will Ivy manage to find out what he is hiding?
I hope you guys enjoying reading this chapter, just as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you all for coming here once again. It means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.
Have a lovely week, dearies!
Till next time… Toodles!
