Tristan shook his head.
“They’re back,” Aloisia said.
“Who?”
“The Forgotten Gods. Who else?” She rounded a corner, Tristan and Kaja trailing behind her.
The air around them turned icy, their breaths clouding before their faces. Tristan told the priests to continue back to the Temple without them and handed over their boxes. Aloisia strode down the street, part of her wishing for the voice to sound again, and part of her really wishing it would not.
“Hold up.” Tristan gripped her arm, forcing her to halt. “What did you hear?”
“What they said that night. ‘Darkness gathers. And death with it.’”
Kaja shuddered. “By the Divines.”
“They said the same thing, Tristan. Right before Brighde was killed. What if they’re nearby? What if they strike again?”
“And what if it comes for us?” Kaja asked, her pale blue eyes wild with fear. “Why are we still here? We should get back to the Temple.”
“I mean, she has a point.” Tristan tugged on her arm, trying to lead her back the way they’d come. “I don’t think it wise for us to stick around.”
Aloisia jerked her arm free. “Go if you want to. I’m staying. I’m going to find them.” She stalked across the cobbled road, searching for the shadow monsters. She wasn’t even sure where the voice had come from, or whether this was the right direction. But she would not retreat.
“Lis, wait!” Tristan hastened behind her. “We can’t exactly just leave you.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Kaja muttered, striding after them.
Darkness gathers.
Aloisia froze, the haunting voice shivering atop her skin, clawing through her mind.
And death with it.
“Lis, we should go.” Tristan caught her arm again.
“You heard it?”
Kaja nodded. “And it sounds close.”
“What if—”
“What good are you to Fynn dead?” Tristan snapped.
Aloisia jolted at his words.
“Please, let’s get back to the Temple. Perhaps we can warn the watchmen? The magistrate? Someone who can do something, more than we can.”
She nodded, letting him lead her back. He was right. Though another death would surely prove to the judiciaries Fynn’s innocence, it did not need to be her own. However, until they warned someone, anyone, of the Forgotten Gods’ presence, her conscience weighed heavily with the possibility someone may die at their hands.
They made their way uphill towards the Temple. Aloisia wrapped her arms around her, the dropping temperature making her shiver. Tristan’s hand clutched hers, as if fearing she may vanish without notice. Kaja’s fingers rested on the hilt of her dagger. Not that Aloisia thought a blade would do much against the creatures.
As they turned a corner, Tristan spotted his brother-in-law Klaus across the road. He sighed in relief. After all, Klaus was a watchman.
“Klaus!” Tristan called, dragging Aloisia with him.
Klaus gave an amiable smile, which faded at the sight of Tristan’s panicked expression. “Brother, what’s wrong?”
“You were at the trial yesterday, yes?”
