“Setionly talks to his HighPriest.”
The Human looks back at me. “That would be me, boy. Now,moveit.”
Quickly I follow, keeping to his back in case he pitches to the left. I’d make a quip about his balance being as bad as his daughter’s if not for the dire situation.
“Why wouldSetitalk to you about Max?”
The Human stays silent.
“He sent a Hadeon as her guard,” I say instead, prodding him. “He protects her in the palace.”
“The Hadeon is an admirable guardian, but he’s notunkillable.”
We get halfway and his arms start shaking.
“You’re not going to make it,” I point out. “And if I’m needed back in my lands, this is a fruitless endeavor.” I’d rather carry him to move quicker.
Sharply, he turns, black eyes blazing as they regard me. There’s that stubbornness that runs through the family line.
“I gave my life to protect my daughter.” He seethes, blue fingers gripping the broken banister with both hands. “I have been here to keep the king satisfied in his search. Until he found Max. Now my duty is to protecther. You might not understand this, but Max is important to this world. Tome. And I will be there to help.”
“Help, you might want to, but you’re in no condition.” I gesture to his body. “You can barely stand.”
His face darkens in fury. “You need to know about this castle, the forces he’s acquiring, correct?” He glances around. “They think I can’t understand anymore, that my mind is faulty. They have loose lips when working the dungeon shift. I know it all.” He taps his temple. “And you’ll want a High Priest ofSetion your side, boy. I can be very valuable. Trust me.”
I take in his determined face, his set shoulders. He isn’t going to make this easy for me, and he’s set on coming. On always helping. Just like his daughter.
“I need to know about Max. Her magic, her powers. It’s the only way to help her.”
Tiredly, he nods, just once. “You’ll have it. But I’ll need to explain it to her first.”
I can live with that. “What’s your name, Human?”
He holds out his hand, a very-human handshake. I smirk, because,ofcourse.
“Baris, heir.”
Vaguely, the name tickles my memories. I know I’ve heard that name before.
As a High Priest, Baris although Human, would be part of the cult ofSeti.They’re a fraction that moves to where the god directs them to give last rites. They have no home, only wondering to give peace to those who have passed.
Baris has been the High Priest mentioned from before the war, over hundreds of years ago. A name my mother knew well.
Something like amusement flashes in those deeply unsettlingly familiar eyes as the pieces click.
“Ah. So, you’ve heard of me.” He nods once. “Good, good. Then you’ll know what I’m capable of.”
That makes this Human older than me.Mucholder.
Fiery Bel’s balls,that’s impossible.
“Now, boy. My daughter needs us.”
Without warning, he lurches up the stairs as the door bursts open, three guards blocking our only exit.
“Fuck,” I curse, drawing my sword just as the closest guard goes to cut Baris. I don’t think, swinging the blade into his neck, my shadows shoving his body over the narrow stairwell. I don’t look as he falls, his body hitting with a hard impact.
Baris is quick like his daughter, dodging the second attacker, even with his decrepit body. When he goes low, I elbow the guard in the face, pushing him back, taking on the third. This one is bigger, meaner, his strikes lethal. He’s used to fighting in tight corridors, using the space to his advantage.
