VenatIO (Book I Of The IO Series)

XXXV

DAY EIGHT

1241 HOURS

LOCATION – EARTH, ATLANTIS, LEVARIA

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"Do you think it'll work," Jaz asked Michael. He met her gaze and then shook his head. I felt the same, I doubted it would work yet we did not really have other options.

"Repeat it once more," Ty asked just as Jaz was going to walk away. She turned back to him. Ty had been checking the clue scroll for any damage or change, if any chemical was on the paper that could hurt us.

"You remember Burke," she asked, and he nodded, "I'm going to pretend to be him and then try and get to the box again."

He was staring at her, almost unbelieving that was our idea. She put her hands and glared at him.

"Do you have a better idea?"

He shook his head and Jaz disappeared from our sight to change her appearance. I watched from next to the glass pane not saying anything. Eli was beside me and every few minutes glanced at me. I saw the confusion in his eyes as I caught his face once.

'You still good,' Ty asked. I nodded briefly. Jaz walked back and the change of image sent shivers through me. She looked exactly like burke and with the memories they had instilled in our minds, seeing him just hurt us further.

"Okay," she asked, "how do I look."

We all had become rigid as she walked in, which was enough for her to understand her change was convincing. She didn't say anything else as she walked to me. Her body positioned in front of the glass. She opened the doors and her hand reached out to the box.

The box opened its mouth before her hand touched it. I stiffened and turned as it spoke.

"My fellow non-earthlings," it said. I let out a breath.

"You have proven your loyalty to the hunt by sacrificing one of your mates," it repeated as before. This time, Eli didn't react, but his legs were tense, ready to jump at any sign of danger.

"Yes, we have," she said. Her voice didn't sound like Burke and I wasn't sure if that would cause the box to understand it wasn't him, "what is our prize."

I felt pride swirl within me, Jaz's acting was so on point and everything was going smoothly.

"Your gift is one, but you have a choice two, pick between A and B," it said. I held my breath, as she opened her mouth to speak.

"I pick B," she said. The silence around us dropped as the box didn't reply for a moment.

"B is a key," it said. I relaxed a little but not fully.

"How could I take it," Jaz asked, her voice not wavering in the least.

"You cannot Jasmine King, I am not a fool," I tensed and jumped, pushing Jaz away, fearful it may do something to her.

"Sapphire West, you magic does not affect me in the very least."

I shut the glass panes on it and it, immediately, went back to sleep. I turned around and walked away, combing my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"What are we supposed to do now," I asked, my voice raising. No one offered a response.

"Michael," I said walking to him, "think, Michael, come one, what are we supposed to do." He stared at me blankly before turning away, I cursed. I immediately regretted doing so, but I didn't see, with the loss of my memory, why I should apologize.