He doesn’t reply, and an uncomfortable silence fills the space. Will it hurt to die? My only hope is that he will be quick about it and not let me suffer unnecessarily. If only Vilder and Seniia could still get to live...
Clenching my teeth, I dig my nails into my palms. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Our sacrifice will save Rea. That will have to be enough.
“You cannot ask this of me, Father.” Aster’s voice is barely audible, but the anguish in his tone makes my head snap up. Are those...tearsin his eyes? My heart aches at the sight, his griefsomehow echoing my own. And may the gods help me, but all I want is to wipe them away.
What is wrong with you, Laïna?
He tilts his head back, staring at the ceiling. “Forgive me,” he whispers. Then he looks at me. “You need to go,” he says, voice firm.
I frown. “Go where?” If he needs me to go somewhere for him to kill me, he’ll have to carry me. I’m not going down without a fight.
He gestures toward the intricate circle, where the rays of the five moons entwine, close to hitting its center.
“Why?” Could that circle be a ceremonial offering stone?
“Stop arguing and do as I say.” He strides toward me and hauls me to my feet, then holds me by my shoulders, his touch surprisingly gentle.
I stare square into his chest, my nakedness and his proximity leaving me speechless.
“Void! I’m trying to save your life, Laïna.”
Save me? I glance up. His beautiful mouth is drawn into a thin line.
“Please do not make me regret it.” He runs a hand through his midnight-blue waves.
“Why?” I repeat. It seems to be the only word left in my vocabulary.
He holds my gaze. “I have one million reasons, and they are all utterly selfish.” His eyes are like golden stars in the dim cave. “When we have more time, I will tell you every single one.” Taking ahold of my shoulders, he turns me around and gives me a light shove. “Now go, or I can no longer help you.”
Stepping onto two engravings that look to be markings to place one’s feet, I close my eyes and lift my chin, allowing the moonlight to wash over my naked body. What just happened? Why would he save my life? Is this a trap? My stomach drops. Of course. I glance over my shoulder, but he’s gone, and I’m left with only the reflections of myself in the mirrors. Maybe hewasgenuine.
A sudden gust of wind whips across my bare arms, leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake, but I stand firm, holding on to my hope.
“Truths,” the wind whispers. “You are searching for truths.” It twists and turns around my body, gliding across my bare limbs in an intimate caress. “Yet lies are all around you. All that meet your eyes.”
My shoulders sag. Does that mean Aster lied to me after all? I push the thought away. I will know soon enough.
“I am here for what is rightfully mine,” I say. “My soul shards.” I’m careful to make my voice sound firm, as if I have a right to claim them.
“Mm,” the wind hums, sounding pleased. “The shards are pieces of truth indeed.”
“Then I am here for the truth,” I say.
“But which truths are yours? That is the question.”
“I don’t know,” I say. It never occurred to me that I would have to be more specific.
“Then we shall have to find out,” says the wind. God. Whatever it is.
“How?”
“Why, the way it is always done: through a blood offering, though no skin can be torn.”
My heart sinks. How can anyone call forth blood without piercing skin? The only way I can think of is through magic, but I have none of that. I stare at the small dip in the center, between my feet, and the carving of a palm-size glyph running out from it.Is that where the blood is supposed to go?
“Can you please be more specific?” I plead, but the silence stretches on. I’m so tired of being set up to fail. Void! Why does everything have to be so frustratingly hard? Is this why Aster let me go? Because he knew I would fail? Why kill me himself when my ignorance will do it for him?
I more sense than see the moment the moon comes into position. Its rays leave a tingling sensation across my body.
