The Gender Game 2 by Bella Forrest (audio ebook reader .TXT) 📕

Mr. Croft,” he said. “But if you succeed and return the egg, you will be reinstated to your full position of Chief Coordinator of wardens, with pay intact—that will be the least the kingdom can do for your continued loyal service.”

As if any of that even mattered to me anymore.

I didn’t know what did matter right now—all I could think about was the immediate task ahead of me.

After watching the king leave the room, I glanced at the mirrored glass on the opposite side of the conference table, at the man who might soon have to kill a woman for her crimes.

In spite of all Violet’s wrongdoings, somehow I couldn’t quite meet my own gaze.

2

Violet

I shivered as the cool air blew past and drew my dress tighter around me. The motorcycle had been traveling steadily north for the past few hours, and I had been afraid to fiddle with any of the instruments for fear of plummeting to my death. The sickening splat of Lee impacting with Queen Rina’s garden path still echoed in my mind.

It had been a while since I had fled the palace, and I was still undecided on what to do. I had to make a decision, but each option seemed equally hopeless. I had no idea where the coal mines were, so trying to set a path in my brother’s direction was risky, especially in a hang-gliding motorcycle that I was clueless how to operate. On the other hand, returning to Patrus to search out Viggo would only result in my death.

My chest constricted at the thought of the warden. I had betrayed him, and I didn’t even know if he had survived the explosion. If he had, it was possible that he was either being blamed by Patrus, or that he knew about my involvement in it. All three possibilities tore me apart.

The words I’m sorry hovered on my lips, but I bit them back. What was the point of saying them now? It was too late—Viggo wasn’t here, and I was.

I needed to survive.

I was frustrated, cold, and likely had been in shock for the past couple of hours. Lee’s betrayal, the egg, the murders… I was drained, both physically and mentally. I needed to sleep, but I couldn’t land, nor did I dare to sleep on this thing.

I reached down to the basket between my legs where I’d placed the egg and picked it up, staring at it for the umpteenth time. What could be so important about the tiny embryo encased within it (assuming that’s really what it was)? What was so unique about this that people were willing to kill for it? Why had Lee done what he had done?

I had been chasing these questions around in my head for hours with no answers. Letting out a breath, I maneuvered myself on the seat and clicked the button that opened it up. Standing on the motorcycle was one of the most nerve-racking experiences I’d ever had, but I needed to put the egg somewhere safe while I figured out how to operate the machine. Careful not to knock any dials or levers, I placed the egg gently into the backpack that contained some supplies and Lee’s letter. I’d already zipped the key to the egg in there—it was so small and delicate, and I’d had several terrifying moments when I was sure it was going to slip from my fingers into the foliage below.

Once the egg was secure, I closed the compartment with a click and sat down quickly. The motorcycle swung from side to side at my movements, and I clenched my hands on the seat to remain as still as possible while it stabilized. For a second, I was convinced it was going to pitch too far to the left or the right and I was going to slip off, but thankfully, it leveled out. Though that didn’t stop me from feeling dizzy. I definitely did not like flying. My stomach did one final flip before calming down.

I settled back onto the seat, turning my mind to the future. I needed a plan, and I needed it now. I was torn between going after Viggo and explaining, or going to find my brother. After some quick thinking, I decided my brother took priority. Matrian agents would likely be after me already, and they might try to use him as leverage. I needed to find the mines and rescue him before they got to him first. After I retrieved him, I would figure out the next step.

The expanse of The Green stretched out beneath me, shafts of moonlight that escaped through the clouds illuminating the canopy. The Green looked peaceful from up here, but I knew that the whole area beneath the treetops seethed with danger. My defense teacher, Ms. Dale, had shown me that in the three days of training I had received from her before I set out on my mission to Patrus. It was certainly not a place I was excited to return to, but at least it was secluded and Lee had packed survival gear in his backpack.

I mentally went through the items within the seat compartment: There was a flashlight, four knives, five cans of the aerosol spray that seemed to repel the wildlife in The Green, a mask to keep the noxious fumes out, several cans of food, a canteen of water, a letter from Lee that was apparently addressed to himself, and photographs of the messages Lee had etched on King Maxen’s vehicle and Queen Rina’s library table.

My stomach took that moment to growl at me, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten anything for ages. I was starving.

I looked down at the seat, biting my lip. I could open the compartment and go for a can of food, but given how shaky the aircraft had gotten last time I stood, I’d better wait.

Just then, something caught my eye—a flash of white beneath the canopy. Holding my breath and frowning, I leaned