The door lock clicks and I raise the pitcher high, moving between myself and Kalos instinctively.
It’s Priestess Alithia, a tray of more delicious food in her hands. She flinches at the sight of me with the pitcher raised, squeezing her eyes shut and leaning away. “I can explain!”
“You’d better,” I snarl.
She creeps past me to gingerly set the tray down on the table. The door to the room is wide open and I glance out, only to see multiple armed men waiting in the hall. Running isn’t an option, then. At least, not yet. When Kalos is back to himself, we can plan. For now, I must bide my time.
Alithia gestures at the pitcher. “You want that filled up again?”
With a scowl, I hand it to her.
She exits and returns a moment later, setting the pitcher on the table.
“You said you were going to explain,” I remind her as she puts a few linen napkins next to the tray. “Go ahead and explain. I have nothing but time.”
The priestess licks her lips and clears her throat. “There’s no book. It was a lie to bring you here. We’d heard word that Omos had strangers staying with him, and the villagers in Thornhill went on and on about the Vulture God and his maiden. It didn’t remain a secret for very long. Our goddess, Belara, remains in this world, and so we were trying to think of ways to be of use to her.” She spreads her hands. “Which is why we’ve captured you.”
“We haven’t done anything to you, or to your goddess!”
“I know. And for that, I truly am sorry. I have orders and I must obey.”
“Orders? From who?”
Alithia purses her lips and glances about the room. “Are you comfortable enough? Would you like needlework or something to occupy your time?”
Needlework? Is she fucking serious? “No? I want you to let us go.”
“I cannot do that. Please know we mean you no harm. While you stay with us, we want to make you as comfortable as possible. Just tell us if you need something, or if the food doesn’t suit you.”
I clench my jaw.
She hesitates. “Our instructions were to keep you separate from your Aspect, but I have seen how fond of him you are, and that seemed unnecessarily cruel. Please understand that we are trying to be as kind as we can while still being obedient.”
“Obedient to who?” I press.
Alithia is silent. She moves to the door.
“Obedient to who?” I ask again. “Who’s making demands?”
She opens the door and pauses. “We’ll bring a cot and some blankets in later, after you’ve eaten. You’ll be here for a few days at least, until our guests arrive. I hope you will allow us to be gracious hosts.”
Guests. As in plural.
Oh shit. I sincerely hope it’s not Margo and Seth. I would like to never see them again.
She closes the door behind her, and I yell after her. “You don’t have to lock it, you know. It’s not like I can go anywhere.”
There’s no answer, but there’s also no click of the lock, which satisfies me. Marginally. My mood is shit, though, and I sit down across from Kalos again and stare out the window at the late afternoon sunlight.
Who wants us trapped here and for what reason? It can’tbe Kalos’s other Aspect—he’d just have us killed. So…who, other than Margo and Seth?
Is it possible that Belara’s Aspect has something to do with this? But why? If it’s revenge, why keep us alive?
It’s notuntil very late in the evening that Kalos returns to himself. I’m half-dozing on the cot when I wake up and see he’s no longer in his chair but standing by the still-open window. Moonlight pours in over his silvery hair, illuminating his elegant features. He’s beautiful and ethereal in this light, and his expression is so, so fucking sad it makes me ache.
“Hey,” I say, reaching a hand out for him.
He glances over at me, remorse on his face. “I’m going to get you killed.”
