It’s been more difficult as of late, to find the Guardian’s secret strongholds. I’m certain there is more information hidden away in the archives of the Sun God temple. The temple is in Atlantis, but it’s heavily guarded. I can’t risk killing my way in, lest it’s traced back to my own temple.
Things only become more complicated when a man finds me outside a secret entrance to Atlantis. He haswavy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He introduces himself as Leon and wants to know what I’m doing in his forest.
I was just disposing of a Guardian corpse–he’s buried deep in the woods – but I don’t tell him that. Instead, I excuse myself, saying I came here to pick flowers.
Leon wants to know my name. I don’t give it to him, and I hurry back to the Moon Goddess temple.
Leon becomes a problem.
He doesn’t give up on getting to know me. He starts walking with me every time I leave the temple. I play sweet priestess, but I can’t afford to have someone watching me closely.
I’m debating whether I’ll need to kill him when he reveals he is a divine creature, a Creator. He also tells me he lives at the Sun God temple.
I see my opportunity.
I let Leon grow closer to me, pretending to be meek and nonthreatening. And despite all efforts to the contrary, my heart softens towards him. But I’m too far gone with this disguise to give him the truth.
Leon is a creature of light and creation. I am death and darkness.
My soul is void.
Leon lets me into the Sun God temple, letting me peruse their archives without question. I find the locations of more potential Guardian strongholds.
I know I should kill Leon. He could lead the Guardians right back to me. It’s the smart thing to do, and yet – I can’t. Instead, I let him touch me. In the shadowed recesses of the Sun God archives, I let him worship my body.
I love him.
It’s only a few nights later that he breaks my heart.
Atlantis is falling. Leon refuses to help us and wants me to abandon my sisters. I’m sickened by his cowardice.
There’s a secret passage off the temple mountain that only Arianna and I know of. I stay outside the temple doors, hoping to buy her enough time to get everyone out. There are boats hidden on the coast. I need them well away.
My dying thought is that I hope I bought them enough time.
Chapter 12
Rule twelve:Do not stab your murderer at breakfast.
Ithought the relationship between Leon and I was messy, but it has nothing on what was between him and Cassandra.
Leon is completely convinced that we shared a great love when really, he never loved Cassandra. How could he when she never truly let him know her?
Leon loved a lie.
The thought hits me with an unwelcome pang of guilt. Leon loved someone who never existed for millennia. And here I am, running from him, hurting him even more.
What does that make me?
The question is enough to have me hustling out of my room in search of other people. My thoughts are dangerous.
It’s late morning, but Magnus and Sin are still having coffee at the table. Magnus eyes me appreciatively before whistling and asking, “Is it true then? Is Sin spreading falsehoods, or has the mighty warrior priestess, who hides amongst pacifists, returned?”
I’m still feeling raw from Cassandra’s memories and the dark thoughts that followed them. It isn’t something I’m keen on discussing yet, so instead, I give Magnus a slight nod before pouring myself a cup of coffee.
It’s still hot. I am at peace.
Magnus wants to disturb my peace. “You know, despite your extensive training, I’m still impressed you were able to kill so many soldiers under Sin’s command, the night Atlantis fell.”
