I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 3

I let out a frustrated breath, pushing my hair out of my eyes. "It's a misunderstanding."

"Really? Then can you explain why he's acting so differently?"

I felt lost. "Differently?"

"Don't pretend!" She laughed softly, her hand tightening its grip on me. "You saw him as well as me, sparing Corran's life. What's going on?"

"How should I know? Why don't you go ask him yourself?"

Her face turned pale. "You don't understand. If you change too many things, I'll lose my advantage. Graham thinks I can see the future, but it's only as long as the plot stays the same that I can take advantage of that."

"And how is that my problem?" I shook my head. "If you're so concerned, then just tell Graham the truth?"

"Don't be an idiot! Or I'll leave you behind!"

I grabbed her hand, throwing it off of me, laughing at her threat.

She was shocked, a look that frustrated me to know end. Every time we spoke she fell into the same patterns as our old world. Bullying, grabbing, ordering me around. I had always given into her in the past, accepting being in the wrong even when I knew I wasn't. But now, in this different place, I had changed, gained the confidence to stand without her. I no longer had to sit there quietly and let her push me around.

So why did she continue to act like nothing had changed?

"Chloe, we're sisters, which is the only reason I'm helping you this time. But don't think that we're the same as we used to be. You left me behind, and I never looked for you. You begged me to come with you. So don't pretend that I'm the one who needs you."

"..." She had no answer.

I slowed my horse down, falling to the back of the group, no longer wanting to talk to her.

Finally, I reached Luke's side once again. He smiled at me in welcome, and I felt myself relax, not realizing how stressed I had felt simply talking to Chloe.

"Is there something I can help you with?"

His quiet offer brought my Chloe's ranting to mind. "Why did you offer to spare Corran?"

Luke blinked, as if thrown by my sudden question. "There was no reason to kill him."

So simple an answer, but he killed plenty of people in the book without cause, didn't he? "Is that really the only reason?"

At my direct stare he fidgeted, seeming slightly embarrassed. "You told me once it wasn't too late for my soul, and not to sacrifice it along the way." He spoke in a whisper, but I was startled by his words all the same.

Had the plot changed? The big villain Lucien, who murders everyone who stands in his way, never would have worried about his soul, or sparing someone's life. He should have been on a killing spree since taking revenge on the Ninth Lord... I paused at that thought.

"What about the Ninth Lord's Household? What did you do to them?" I asked, my voice sharper than I meant it to be.

He grinned. "Everyone responsible was put in jail on evidence I collected of their crimes."

"You didn't kill them?"

"It didn't seem as important. Besides..." His smile became self-deprecating. "That's where I met you. I didn't want to taint that memory by painting it with blood."

I rubbed my head, a pounding headache forming. I've totally derailed the plot, haven't I? Just as I opened my mouth to ask another question, however, we were interrupted.