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But Jamus thinks he needs me. He’s not going to kill me until he has to… or he has my money.
Because that is what this is all about.
He’s days away from bankruptcy.
Not so powerful after all.
Maybe if he sold those vases instead of breaking them….
The lift opens as soon as I press the button and no one stops me from stepping inside. I ignore the way my hand shakes as I press the button for the garage.
“Where are you gonna go, Lily?” Jamus asks as I turn to face him. “Who in the Valley would take you in?”
And who in this valley would let me leave.
Jamus has never hit me. Before tonight, he’s never even raised his hand in a moment of anger…. But he has never hesitated to remind me how many people here owe him.
How many he owns.
I watch him as the lift doors close, hating the smirk that forms on his lips.
He wont keep me from leaving the tower.
Jamus wants me to come crawling back to him. He wants that submission.
It’s a reminder that he controls us all.
But he doesn’t own me.
And there is one last option I haven’t exhausted.
One last door I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to open.
Jamus’ people mill in the shadows of the parking garage. I recognise a few who’ve seemingly wanted to help before. But that wasn’t real.
No one’s coming to save me.
My car is still in its spot. The lights flash when I click the fob, and the engine turns over when I press the ignition.
Hubris is one of Jamus’ many downfalls.
Of course, the tank has been drained to just under a quarter.
The little red needle on the gauge feels like it’s mocking me.
He’ll let me go, but he won’t let me go far.
And I’d bet every cent I own, no one will sell me even a litre of gas.
But I don’t need to leave the Valley to get out.
There’s one place where even Jamus is afraid to go.
One place where the old gods play with us mere mortals. And making a bargain with the woman in residence… may be my only option.
I drive out of the garage and into the night. Whether I’ll escape my problems, or find worse ones ahead… only time will tell.
Never make deals with the Devil, or the old gods.
