They are the same! The sooner you accept this, the better. Why else did you betray them? Why else did you keep the shard when you could have left with the forsworn?
My nostrils flared. I’d never wanted to betray them. I just understood what had to be done. I was willing to play dirty enough to make it happen. They weren’t.
But the longer Aemon looked at me, the more I began to doubt, until I shoved the thought deep into the recesses of my mind.
His lips lifted, and I knew he’d read the thought clearly. Fuck.
We can circle back to that argument again if you want, he thought. Whether they’re different or the same as their past selves. Or I can tell you what makes these new akadim truly stand apart from the others.
I stared ahead, watching their eyes track ours. They couldn’t read minds, but somehow, I still felt exposed, like they could sense what I was thinking, what I was feeling.
Heart pounding, I asked,What makes them stand out?
This time a full grin spread across his face.They can hunt in the sun.
My mouth opened. Akadim could only hunt at night. That had been the first thing every child learned about the beasts. That had been the key that protected everyone from their evil. The one comfort against the nightmares they threatened. If the sun couldn’t hurt them now …
I shook my head.Aemon, that’s too dangerous. Akadim that can think, that aren’t bound to the night … they’ll go on rampages. Destroy everything.
Not if they are under my control. Not if they are underyourcontrol.
Like Moriel had sworn he’d control them a millennia ago. How the fuck were we having the same argument in another life, in different bodies? Were we truly the same?
I could feel my stomach knotting, my heart threatening to pound through my chest, as a bigger question vied for attention. Did I want that control? Everything about this felt evil. Wrong.
And yet … if they could attack in the day, that meant they could travel in the day as well. Akadim that could plan, and organize, were akadim that could hide from soturi. These were akadim who could take legions down. These were akadim that could reach the Emperor. Reach the Imperators. Destroy an Empire.
We don’t have the numbers, kitten. Not yet. But … there might be enough to disrupt a Valabellum. Now, is there anything else you want to know?
Did you see them?I asked desperately.Did you see my sisters?
I did, Aemon thought.
I turned in my seat, my heart pounding. “And?” I practically shouted, too anxious to think.
He took my hand in his, shaking his head in admonishment. With a click of his tongue, he thought,I took the time in my travels to listen carefully. They’re safe. They’ve been taken in by Imperator Hart.
I frowned.Then they’re not safe.
The idea of safety is relative for them at the moment. But from what I’ve heard, our old friend is no longer forsworn. Thanks to Lyriana. She has made quite the deal with the Imperator.Aemon stroked the skin around my wrist.Does that worry you?
My throat went dry as I tried to process all of this. The business of dealing with Imperators never ended well. And wasn’t that the fucking point of everything I was doing? Ending their tyranny? Freeing those they oppressed? Making life somewhat fucking better in this Godsdamned world? Even if I had to burn it down first.
But if Lyr was entrenched—and so were Rhyan and Meera—to an Imperator who had control over another Guardian. I squeezed my eyes shut. The whole situation was giving me the kind of headache I hadn’t had since Bamaria.
You see how necessary the akadim have become?Aemon thought.
I shook my head, closing my mind and thoughts to him once more. “I don’t see anything except an empty room to which I was dragged to from my bed.” But in the back of my mind, there was the shadow of his response, one I was glad I could not hear. It was proof I was getting stronger—proof I could stand against him. “You promised an important guest,” I said, my voice full of irritation as I scanned the room. “Well? Where are they, Aemon?”
Aemon’s eyes darkened at my outburst, and throughout the room, I could sense the agitation of the akadim who’dbeen impatiently waiting for his command. Their annoyance now shifted to me. With a sudden burst of his aura, shadows darkening the cave with an oppressive weight, I realized I’d spoken out loud. Worse. I’d shouted the name no one else here was allowed to use.
“Much as Ilovehearing you say my name, kitten,” he said, “do not call me that here again.” His finger stroked the back of my palm, but the threat was clear.
“Moriel,” I said, the word slipping from my tongue with far too much ease for my comfort. It was as if someone else had said it, someone who had said it a million times before.
Ereshya.
“It’s time.” Aemon looked ahead. “Parthenay, please, show our guest in.”
