“Mistress…” her expression becomes grave. “They are not here to visit. They are here to defeat him and kill you.”
Oh.
Oh dear. I’d forgotten about that part. The part where he’s been split into four and he can only return to his immortality if the other three versions of him are defeated. And the only way they’re defeated is by getting rid of his Anchor.
As in…me.
Time for action. “She’s certain?”
“The thread-spinner is never wrong, Mistress. I wish that she was.” Jemet looks upset. “I am so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I got too comfortable, that’s all.” I rub my face, trying to think. “And we’re sure it’s another Aspect?”
“No one else would dare attack a god.”
“Do we know which one? Which Aspect?” Not that it matters. I can get equally murdered by any of them, but right now I need information.
“Arrogance,” Priestess Jemet says. “The most warlike one.”
Is he? It tracks, I suppose. Hedonism would just throw parties or something. Lies would…well, I don’t know. I don’t know enough about this world and its history. I do feel vaguely betrayed by Lachesis, though. She’d made it sound like everyone was on board with the plan. “But I thought the gods wanted Apathy—my guy—to be the last one standing.”
“I imagine they do, Mistress, but that does not mean that that particular Aspect wishes the same thing.” She gives me an apologetic look. “I know this is not ideal?—”
I resist the urge to laugh hysterically in her face. An army coming to murder me is not ideal, no.
“—but perhaps it might be best if you go into hiding with Lord Kalos?” Jemet continues. “We are loyal to you and will do whatever it takes to help you escape.”
Escape. Of course. Escape sounds like a very good idea. I glance over at the closed main temple, with the guarded doors. Somewhere behind those doors is my Aspect, the one that just wants to be left alone. How am I possibly going to get him to leave with me? I can’t go on my own. I’m tethered to him. We can’t stay here, though. Rolling over and dying is not part of the plan. “Where do we go?” I ask Jemet.
“I do not know, Mistress.” A tear streams down her worried face, and her hands twist fiercely. “We have failed you.”
“What? Hey, no, you have been amazing.” I pull her into my arms and give her a hug, because she looks like she needs one. “It’s not your fault the other guys aren’t playing fair. You and the others have been incredible and have taken care of us so well.”
“Oh, Mistress.” Jemet takes a deep, shuddering breath. “If you are fleeing, let me pack a bag for you. I can find coin and weapons. Anything you need.”
“I’d love that. Pack lots of food. Whatever money you can find.” I’m not sure about the weapon part since I don’t know how to use one. My thoughts are scattered, anxiety making my mind race. How am I going to get Kalos out of here? What do I say to him to convince him? “Whatever you can get for us. We’ll figure it out.”
“And we’ll distract them for as long as we can,” she continues, her expression fervent. “We will lay our lives down for you and the Vulture God.”
“Wait, hey, no.” I shake my head and grab Jemet by the shoulders. “Laying your lives down is a terrible idea.”
“But—”
“Nobut.You won’t slow anyone down for long. What’s the point of you dying? Either we’ll escape or we won’t, but I’d feel even worse if you and everyone here died trying to save us. That’s not what I want.”
Jemet doesn’t look convinced. “That is what the Lord of Disease would want?—”
“Yeah, well, we’re not asking him. I’m in charge.” I think quickly, glancing around. “I’ll talk to Kalos and somehow get him moving. You pack a bag for me as fast as you can and I want you to get everyone out of here. Head to thefarms—find Kina—and warn everyone you can to escape. If the army is Lord Kalos’s, I’m guessing they’re going to bring sickness with them. Avoid that. Avoid everything. Protect yourselves.”
She shakes her head. “We should be safe. When the gods are upon the mortal plane, they are not allowed to use their powers.”
I don’t know if I believe that, given that Kalos infected me the moment we met. “Humor me, Jemet. Be cautious anyhow.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Jemet’s eyes shine with more tears. She drops to her knees, kissing my hem. “You are the kindest?—”
“Nope, nope, no time for that,” I say quickly, trying to drag her back to her feet. “We have to move fast, remember? Let’s just get going.”
“I will pack you a bag,” she agrees, and moves to leave. She pauses again and turns back to me. “Where will you go?”
