“In the mountains northeast of here.” I wave my hand in that general direction.
Their expressions grow serious.
“You grew up in the Voidlands?” Seniia’s blue-green eyes are wide.
I frown, my gaze shifting between them. “I grew up in Bronich,” I say.
Seniia turns to Vilder. “She grew up in the Voidlands,” she says to him like I’m not sitting right here.
“Seems like she did,” he replies, and they both turn their attention back toward me.
“How was it growing up under the rule of the Void Father?” Seniia leans in close, like she doesn’t want to miss a word, and even Vilder leans forward to rest his elbows on the table. “Andhow did you escape? I’ve heard it’s nearly impossible to leave. That they will kill anyone who dares try.” Her beautifully arched eyebrows are raised expectantly.
“Voidwhat?” I have no idea what they’re talking about.
“The Void Father,” she says. “You know,Casimir”—she barely whispers the name, and I notice how Vilder’s hand tightens around his mug—“one of the seven who turned to the Void for powers. The one who caused the Darkening.” Her stare implies I should know all this. “Fallen god who grows his power by feeding off the dark emotions of the humans—greed and hate and jealousy and fear and that stuff. Ring any bells? You’re human.” She gestures toward my very human form. “Don’t youknow?”
“Right...” I say. That would certainly explain why Bronich is in such a miserable state. Looking back now, it’s quite clear the minister’s ruling method is based on sowing seeds of fear and suspicion. But this Void Father... Could that be...the Father? Chills run down my spine, and my hand instinctively touches my left forearm, where the brace used to be. It would certainly explain the presence of the umbra.
Seniia turns toward Vilder. “She doesn’t know.” Her perplexed expression tells me I absolutely should.
“She doesn’t know,” he replies.
Clearly, I don’t, which means one thing hasn’t changed. At least Ero isn’t around to point out as much.
“Well, good thing you are here now,” Seniia says to me. “How did you get here, anyway? If you used to live inside the Void, I mean.”
I debate whether to tell them. I’ve just met them, after all. Then I decide a quick recap of my journey is rather harmless. If anything, it may give me some answers.
“He tried to put abraceon you?” Seniia’s eyes are wide as I wrap up the story. “I thought they didn’t even exist anymore.”
“Oh, they exist all right,” Vilder says with a grim expression. “I’ve seen them.”
We both turn to look at him, but he just stares back and doesn’t elaborate.
Seniia is thoughtful for a moment. “Did this Llyr hold your gaze as he made you promise to go to the Arc?” she asks.
I think back to the moment right before we left the pass. “I think so,” I say. “Why?”
“If you close your eyes and take a couple deep breaths to center yourself...”
I have no idea what she’s going on about, but I allow the tavern noise to fade to a background murmur as I do as she asks.
“Do you notice any, let’s call itpull, to go anywhere?”
I do. Now that I’m aware what to look for, there’s no doubt there’s a strong pull to go in a certain direction. It doesn’t feel urgent, but itdoesfeel like I have no choice. Like it would be impossible to turn and walk back where I came from. Not as if that’s a possibility in any case. I frown, eyes still closed. Although it could feel like it at first, this pull isn't coming from my own desires. It’s caused by something outside me, something compelling me forward. My eyes flare open. He hadn’t just asked for my word, had he? He had magically bound me to it.
“What happens if I refuse to go?”
Seniia exchanges a look with Vilder, whose mouth is pressed into a thin line. Neither of them speaks, but the answer is written in their silence.
I’ll be dead.
“He’s trapped me,” I whisper. My breath comes in shallow gasps, the familiar lack of control triggering a tightening in my chest. I can’t go back to the way things were. I can’t. I pull at my collar, desperate for air. “Can’t breathe,” I wheeze, the air thick and heavy in my chest. “Can. Not. Breathe.”
The room tilts, voices blur, and the next thing I know, I’m staring up into Vilder’s russet eyes.
“Are you all right?” Concern is etched all over his face.
