“Go,” Vilder says, gesturing for Gray to take the longer trail, her wolf speed ensuring she’ll meet us at the base.
I watch her go, then turn back to face the cliff.
Vilder moves to the edge, testing the first handhold. “Stay close,” he says, and begins to climb.
“THIS PLACE GIVES ME THE creeps,” Seniia whispers as we step over yet another pile of bones. Human, Rean, or otherwise, it’s hard to tell as they crumble to dust the moment one comes into contact with them.
Vilder and I nod our agreement, both reluctant to make any sound as we navigate the treacherous terrain, the air heavy with a sense of impending doom.
Gray moves silently beside us, her hackles raised, ears pinned back.
“Do you know what I can expect?” I ask Vilder.
He shakes his head again, not willing to speak out loud, so we continue on in silence until we reach the massive wolf sculptures of Mah and Zerex.
Craning my neck, I gaze up at them. They must be at least a thousand feet tall, yet they’re small compared to Anam’gate towering behind them. They also appear to be asleep; heads hanging, eyes closed, wings tucked in, they look still and peaceful.
I take a couple steps forward and almost have a heart attack when the sculptures’ wings flare and they raise their massive wolf heads. They lift their eyelids, and bright light flows from their eyes, highlighting the crisp remnants of the male—or man, his features are indistinguishable—that tried to cross before me. Based on his size alone, he looks Rean.
I’m not sure what I expected, but it’s not this: that there is a possibility that I’ll be burned to death simply by walking through this gate. What was this male’s goal? Why wasn’t he considered worthy of entering? A quick glance around tells me he’s not the only one who’s tried. There are more corpses littering the entrance than I dare to count. What if I’m not found worthy? Truth be told, I can’t think of a single reason why I should be. Void, I just stabbed a Rean in the back without a fair fight. How is that for not beingworthy?
A heavy breath leaves my lungs. I knew that I might not find what I was searching for. I was prepared to be denied the soul shards. I was even prepared to not make it here in time. What I’m not prepared for is dying here at the threshold before I’ve even tried.
“Daughter of Mah.” The deep male voice reverberates through the plains, causing the ground to tremble, jolting me from my thoughts. Eyes wide, I throw a glance over my shoulder at Vilder and Seniia, only to see them kneeling with their foreheads pressed to the ground. Even Gray is bowing, belly low, ears flat.Burn me. I immediately follow suit, dropping to my knees, bowing to the earth in a sign of respect.
“Rise, children.” The female voice is softer, although equally powerful. “Step forward, and tell us, what is it that you seek within these gates?”
I step forward in between their massive forms, my mind racing with a million thoughts. I don’t want to anger them accidentally by saying the wrong thing. Still, I’m sure they’ll see right through me if I lie, not to mention that I’m still wearing the brace, leaving me with no choice but to say the truth.
“I’ve come in search of the forgotten parts of myself,” I say, staring up at them.
There’s a low rumble that continues for some time, giving me the impression they’re discussing my request between them.
“Reveal yourself.” Their voices reverberate in unison.
I blink up at them. Reveal myself. I’m standing right here, am I not?
“Your brace,” Vilder whispers behind me. “It is shielding them from sensing your true essence.”
Of course. I should have thought of that. I slide my thumb across the cool, smooth surface of the brace, its glyphs emanating a faint glow before it falls open. I stuff it into my satchel, and it makes a soft clinking sound as it hits the glass jar given to me by the dark-eyed lady. I suck in a breath as life seems to flow back into my veins. The brace surely blocks more than just magic.
The same low rumble picks up, intensifying with each passing moment.
My gaze flickers between the two. Somehow, I get the impression that they don’t agree.That they are arguing.I close my eyes.
Please find me worthy.
Please find me worthy.
Please find me worthy.
I repeat the internal chant. The low rumble stops, and my heart beats so hard that my chest hurts. It’s all I can do not to upend my stomach right there. Then Zerex’s rumble fills the air once more.
“You have been weighed, and although the mother finds you worthy, I disagree.Your soul is meant to serve another’s purpose.”
Aster’s. This is it, isn’t it? Why on Rea did I ever think that this would be a good idea? Of course the gods are on his side. Now I will be captured or burned to ashes, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Turning my head, I find Seniia’s blue-green eyes, then Vilder’s russet ones. “I’m so sorry,” I mouth, tears running down my cheeks. Then I turn my attention back toward the two gods. I’m ready. Squeezing my eyes shut, I brace myself for the impact.Please let it be quick.
