Then I step over the threshold.
Time for battle.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
KAEL
The group has been waitinga while in the cleft between the mountains. Therion, ever alert, watches as I squeeze through the fissure from the mines.
I look away, but I won’t be able to avoid him for long—I know we’ll be having a conversation about whatever changes he can sense on me.
“Is that everyone?” Merrik asks, looking less irritated now that he’s back on ground level. “Did you find anything?”
“One more,” I say, and gesture back to the opening where Death’s hulking frame breaks through the fissure, rock and debris crumbling as his broad shoulders push through. “Everyone—meet Morrathys, God of Death and Order.”
Gasps cut through the air.
Seren bows her head graciously, having already been through the formalities. But the others? They drop to their knees and bow their heads low, and through the scrambling chaos, I hear Jax curse the Stars themselves.
Ronyn pops his head up, eyes of adoration fixed on Death. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. Big fan.”
I hold my breath, but Death looks to me, “This is the archer you were telling me about?”
“Hard to miss, isn’t he?” I say.
“He knows me! Everyone, God of Death knows me!” Ronyn tries to whisper, though it comes out loud, as always.
“Pleased to meet you. Morrathys,” Death replies, despite needing no introduction at all, and grips Ronyn’s arm in a warrior’s embrace.
“Not to be fucking rude?—”
“Everything you say is rude, Jaxxy,” Merrik says, cutting her off. “I think what she was about to ask was: would you mind sharing the details of whatever happened down there?”
Jax grumbles, but no one pays her any mind.
“Get Rubi and Daelen—I’ll explain it when we’re all here,” I say, and the ground rumbles beneath my feet.
A tremor rips through the pass.
Rocks break free of the mountain, tumbling down in a cascade of jagged edges. Jax’s hands go up on instinct, throwing out a Nullveil barrier to protect us from the falling shards.
“What in the fucking Stars is happening?” she yells, eyes darting around the pass to make sense of it.
The ground moves again, quaking and rippling as if the world itself is splitting apart.
My boots skid across loose gravel.
Everyone’s weapons are drawn, waiting for the threat to appear.
Sharp edges ricochet off the Nullveil, and that’s when I feel it?—
A steady hum that possesses the air. A buzz that ignites my senses, and commands the hairs on the back of my neck to stand to attention.
Therion eyes me with knowing.
We both know what’s coming.
“Where are Rubi and Daelen?” Seren screams, wrapping her arms around herself in a protective embrace.
