It was ridiculous.You didn’t turn against your brothers.But if Jake had tried sealing her… she was just a little thing, not bathed in the Flame yet, and she couldn’t fight off a Son.
Not yet, maybe not ever.There were laments sung of theliraimsealed against their will.It was never a happy occasion, but what was done wasdone, as the Fathers always said, and at least they weren’t holding gladiatorial bouts to win admittance to alirai’s bed anymore.
Modernity was good for something other than firepower.
“Downstairs.”Jake was too busy preening to notice Erik’s expression, thankfully.He all but rubbed his callused hands together with glee.“Ourliraihas now seen the range.”
Of all the…Words almost failed him, and Erik’s throat had turned dry as baked glass.“You took her there?”he croaked.
“Yeah, she wants to fire a gun.Can you imagine?”Jake’s grin was as wide and sunny as ever.He hooked his thumbs in his belt and shook his golden head.It was a good thing their conversation would only be a formless whisper through the baffle—and the sound of thumping a Younger on his silly, stubborn head wouldn’t get through, either.“Even asked me when we’d teach her.Monster hunting, she calls it.”
“Father’ll have your hide.”And if he doesn’t, I might take it myself.
“He’d have to find out.”Jake eyed him sidelong, a flash of bright blue.“You gonna tell him?”
“Not sure.”It wasn’t a threat; Erik just liked to turn things over inside his head before he reached any decision.Hopefully his little brother would realize as much.“Did you let her shoot?”
“Hell no.”Jake shook his head, looking horrified and baffled at once.“Aliraistarts shooting, all of a sudden they think they don’t need us anymore, right?Besides, she’d just as likely empty a clip into me and take off running.She was looking at every damn window like she wanted to throw herself through.”
I don’t blame her.“It’s what potentials are like.”They went over the list of potentials’ coping mechanisms in training—worst, and most dangerous, was the apathy that ended in suicide attempts.
Hopefully that could be avoided.Round-the-clock watch was invasive, and one of them mighthaveto seal her, just to keep her from doing herself some harm.
“Likeyouknow.”But Jake shook his head, robbing the observation of any sting.“You okay?Look a little rough.”
Not as cute as you, huh?That’s all right.“Bad dreams.”
“You too?”
Now that he was closer, he could see a touch of pink on Jake’s eyelids, faint circles shadowing underneath.He wasn’t drooping yet, but if both of them were having a rough time in REM, it meant that a potential’s strengthening was affecting them—and the Mad God, in his blind, crawling way, had no doubt taken notice.
Of all the things the Mad God liked, draining potentials dry and snacking on their bones was top of the list.Fullliraiwere slightly more difficult prey—but only slightly.They needed more Sons, not just to keep her safe but also to watch each other.
It would only take a moment of inattention to invite catastrophe.“Listen,” he said, softly.“Father’s been trying to get hold of other temples.No luck.”
Jake froze for a few moments, then his blue gaze swung to lock with Erik’s.“No luck?”
“Control isn’t responding.”It could be a temporary communications outage, since the Mad God would know by now that a potential had been found by frontliners.Affecting electronic or voice communication with sorcery was a game both sides could play.“I think he’s worried.”
“Then we should be, too.”
“Yeah.”Erik’s shoulders were relaxing; theliraimdoor was right there, and she was safely inside.With any luck, she wouldn’t find out how much danger she was truly in until they had her safely in a real temple with otherliraiand access to the Flame.“As far as I can tell, he’s going to follow orders.Maybe it is better to wait for longer days before we move her.”The winter solstice was generally the worst time for the whispers,andfor the shadowbeasts to come out and play.
“Stationary defense is better defense,” Jake quoted, chapter and verse.“A few can hold against many.”
“So you were listening in tactics classes.”
“Well, yeah.It was just easier to copy your answers.”Jake grinned, tilting his head again, scratching at his cheek.It was an attitude of deep thought, and Erik patiently waited for his little brother to get to the same place he had.“I’m packed anyway, but I’ll polish everything twice.Should we say something to her?”
“Probably not.”Erik didn’t want theliraiworried.She had more than enough to deal with.“But, listen.Maybe you could pack something for her just in case?Clothes, energy bars, first aid kit, something for her to do in the car.”
“Like a toddler.”Jake’s mouth turned down at both corners; he was used to being the only—albeit heavily armed—child in sight.
“An angry one.”When someone didn’t understand certain dangers, it was even more important to protect them, right?It didn’t help that the girl had a double dose of both smartsandbravery.The foolhardy died first in battle, and she wasn’t even trained.“Speaking of which, how’s she feeling?”
“Feeling?”
“Yeah.Because we should care.”Erik kept his own face a wall, but Jake was staring at him like he’d grown another head.“I’m gonna be on guard duty later, all right?I want to know what I’m facing.”
