“Tell me of the Rapture, then.” He righted his chair and eased into it, ready to hear of the day-long convention we’d had with the leaders of the five minor clans.
“To begin, Aird is a bigot.” Jezebel scooted onto the bed and crossed her ankles as she insulted the Mindshaper chancellor.
“He’s—” I gritted my teeth, taking a breath. “He’s made it clear that he doesn’t support my appointment to Revered.” The matter had taken up the majority of today’s meeting.
“And who would he rather?” There was an unspoken question in my father’s voice—Malakai?
I shook my head. “He suggested you take the position.”
“That’s not possible. The Spirits demand the role pass from one generation to the next. The balance?—”
“It appears he’s selectively remembering what the balance ofpower demands.” Jezebel was right. The chancellor had warped the pillar of our magic in his memory, referencing it only when it suited him.
“And what of the others?” my father asked, tone serious as he resumed his role as Second, picking apart details for a strategy.
“The Soulguiders will vote in my favor.” Their chancellor, Meridat, had all but confirmed it today.
“To be expected based on the quarter of your Soulguider heritage. It would be beneficial politically and demonstrate loyalty.”
“The other three are uncertain.” I worried my lip, my mind replaying every moment of that meeting. “We’re reconvening tomorrow, and I need two more votes.”
“Titus will likely vote your way,” Jezebel chimed in, then looked at my father. “He requested time to conduct a reading tonight, but that is a Starsearcher’s way of not appearing easily swayed.”
“Assumingthe stars show him I’m the right choice, that’s still only three.”
“Seawatchers and Bodymelders.” My father contemplated. “The Seawatchers are the most thinly spread.”
“Ezalia will be careful, then.” With their minor clan split between the Eastern Territory and Western Outposts, guarding the coasts of Gallantia, they were always under threat. “It will have to be Brigiet,” I decided, picturing the Bodymelder’s wine-red hair and closed-off expression. I didn’t know how she’d vote.
“Jez, when we’re done here, we have to tell the others she’s our goal.” If anyone could persuade an alliance, it was my brigade of reckless and charmingly hopeful friends.
My sister nodded, and I released a breath of relief. But I couldn’t allow myself to sink into it. “There are some other matters we must discuss. During the Undertaking?—”
“What you experienced is to be kept private, Ophelia,” my father scolded.
“Listen to her.” It was odd to hear Jezebel’s voice overpower him, but he turned attentive—wary—eyes back to me. While we couldn’t discuss the ritual in full, small details were allowed.
“What can you tell us of Annellius Alabath?” Nerves fluttered through my stomach.
“Annellius?” Understanding lit his eyes. “You saw him in the volcano.”
“Yes,” I responded, at the same time Jezebel said, “No.” I looked to her, but she avoided my gaze. I realized I knew nothing of her experience. Though she tried to hide it, something had changed within my sister on the journey to the Undertaking, a shadow hovering over her shoulders now.
“Why are you asking?” My father’s eyes narrowed, mystlight highlighting steely suspicion.
“I need you to tell me what you know of him.”
He braced his forearms on his knees; the air swelled with anticipation.
“Everything I know of Annellius is lore, girls. You have to understand that. Whatever I tell you—there’s no way for any of us to know whether or not it’s true.”
“Understood,” I said, but my second pulse—the one that had emerged when I found Angelborn—pounded.
“Take a seat, then.” He waited for me to remove my weapons and join Jezebel on the bed. I was unable to escape the feeling that we were children once again, being told a story before bed. “According to legends passed down our line, Annellius Alabath was the first and only warrior in history to reveal he had Angelblood in his veins.”
“How is that possible?” Jezebel propped her chin in her hand. “Shouldn’t all Alabaths have it, as well?”
“It was removed after him,” I answered.
