Inspired by William Shakespeare’sAntony and Cleopatra,the novels follow Calla Tuoleimi, a young woman of Talin.
She has done the unthinkable, winning San-Er’s bloody games and eliminating her tyrant uncle, King Kesa.
Vilest Thingshits shelves on Sept. 10.
Chloe Gong’s ‘Vilest Things’.Will Staele/Unusual Corporation
Check out the cover below and read on for an exclusive excerpt.
Will Staele/Unusual Corporation
Excerpted from VILEST THINGS by Chloe Gong.
you gotta get out.
Antons gaze is knife-sharp when it pivots to her.
He performs a haughty sniff, but no amount of feigned disdain can disguise his fury.
So you’ve got the option to kill me without consequence a second time?
They havent been alone like this since the arena.
Since Calla put a blade into his back and through his heart.
This isnt the manner of someone wreaking momentary havoc.
Hes staying in Augusts body.
Anton, yo, Calla says, her voice dropping to a whisper.
youknowI didnt want to
Whether you wanted to or not doesnt change anything, does it?
Anton interrupts, rising to his feet.
Calla is trying her damned best not to sound angry.
I dontIm still
The truth is, she doesnt know what shes trying to say.
Whether this is the time to be deciphering why she did what she did.
Anton, Calla pleads, stepping forward.
It could be her imagination, but she swears she sees him flinch, even from several paces away.
You are causing trouble where there needs none.
Didnt the palace keep your birth body?
it’s possible for you to take it back, jump
Im not leaving.
The rest of her words sour in her throat.
She doesnt understand what his purpose is here.
He should never have revealed the truth to her.
Then he could have playacted as August forever.
Dont force my hand further, Calla says tightly.
Let the kingdom return to how it should be.
And how should it be?
Another century ruled by a useless king, I gather.
August has plenty to do.
August wants power for himself, first and foremost, Anton counters.
You are a fool to think otherwise.
The marketplace has almost cleared of shoppers, save for a handful of stragglers here and there.
Maybe I am a fool.
There is the truth.
Once August was on the throne, my job was done.
Then everything was supposed to have been worth it, no matter how high the price.
You, the room whispers.
Its Anton who steps closer now.
Im not going anywhere.
I have unfinished business.
He couldnt mean their battle in the arena.
She might even let him.
Anton reaches for a lock of her hair.
The gesture appears affectionate at first, when he winds it around his finger.
Her hand whips up, grasping his wrist.
She doesnt dare look straight at him.
She only squeezes hard, her breath locked in her throat.
It seems absurd to recall how different the circumstances were the last time they stood this close.
Calla whispers, her words strained.
When she runs through the possibilities, she emerges with very few options.
Anton lets go of her.
Terribly, Calla misses his touch despite the sting.
The door into the surveillance room shudders, cutting short anything Anton might have said in reply.
Youre needed in the royal infirmary, August, he says.
Anton doesnt glance at his bodyguard, but Calla is watching him carefully.
Galipeis collar sits crumpled.
Not now, Anton replies.
What is it, Galipei?
Calla asks, curious.
Anton shoots her a glare.
What part ofnot nowis unclear
This part, Galipei interrupts.
Anton finally looks over, rearing with an air of offense.
Before Anton can let out a reprimand, Galipei says, Its Otta.
