“We should leave,” he said, glancing around at the bodies.
Terena said nothing, so he took the lead, walking carefully out of the room and into the entryway. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure she followed.
When they were outside, he slowed, waiting for her to catch up.
“How did that woman change her appearance so drastically? So quickly?”
Rydon’s eyes widened as he eyed her. He walked a few steps before answering. “Do you remember when I first asked if you’re a god? I told you some people in this world were also given powers, those favored by the gods. They are not divine, they are still mortal, but they have some… special abilities often confused with divinity. I confess, I have never seen one. I assumed they’d all been killed off, mistaken for gods.”
Terena nodded. “That makes sense.”
“Those men of hers; she must have been using some sort of enchantment to strengthen them. Or they drew strength from her somehow. Either way, we will never know for certain. What’s more important—and something else we can’t know now she’s dead—is who sent her? And why did your vision lead us to that place if you were to be killed?”
Rydon saw her drop her head, her steps slowing.
“When I spoke with the oracle, I realized the visions are memories,” she said. Terena lifted her gaze as she frowned. “Apparently, this isn’t the first time I’ve done… all of this.”
Rydon’s lips twisted. “Aye. I had that feeling as well.”
“Truly?”
“Aye,” he said, catching her look of surprise. “When Her—when the king made me Eudaemon, it was,” Rydon shook his head, recalling. “I can’t explain it. An uncanny sense of having been there before. In that exact moment. I wasn’t frightened.”
“I wish you would have said something sooner.” Terena frowned up at him.
“And I wish you would have said something about having a sister.”
Terena stopped and turned to face him, arms folding and she hunched her shoulders. “I only found out myself, Rydon. I’m not trying to keep secrets from any of you. I wanted to tell Sonah before?—”
“Sonah!” Rydon laughed. “Sonah’s your sister? Now things are making sense.”
Terena ducked her head. “Aye, Sonah’s my sister. According to the oracle. But I haven’t told her yet.”
“We all need to sit down and speak openly about all this… shit,” Rydon said.
Terena nodded and began walking.
They walked in silence until they reached the inn. Terena put ahand on his arm to stop him, the gloomy predawn light enough for him to see her pensive expression.
“I trust you with my life,” she whispered. “I know that that’s your mandate, or whatever, but I want you to trust me as well. I’ve been unfair to you, Rydon. For that, I can only apologize and promise you that ends now.”
Rydon held her gaze a few seconds more before giving her a curt nod. She smiled tightly, patted him awkwardly on his arm, and preceded him inside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
After a few hours of fitful sleep, Terena finally gave up. She dressed and went downstairs to find something to eat. Spotting Rydon sitting at their usual back table, Terena smothered a smile. He took one look at her and kicked out the chair opposite.
After the sleepy innkeeper brought her a plate of stale bread and butter, Terena stared across at Rydon.
“Does Gabriol know? About you being a Eudaemon?”
“Aye,” he said with a sigh. “He was there when it happened.”
Curiosity made her halt her hand midway to her mouth. “Will you tell me?”
Rydon glanced over her shoulder and shrugged. “Someday. Not here.”
Terena nodded and took a bite of the bread. “Did you tell them about last night?”
