XXV.
Kerasea
As soon as the words leave my mouth, it’s like I can feel my father turning over on his funeral pyre. It was the very worst thing to say, in front of the worst people, at the worst time. But I just watched a man die. I witnessed a murder, and everyone is pretending like it didn’t happen. The truth clawed its way free from my lips.
This is exactly why my father told me to never even think about my blood. Because I’d give myself away—and I have.
Underworld, what do I do now?
I have to hide and survive.
The senators stare at me with wrinkled brows. Suh’s jaw literally hangs open, and Paolo tilts his head sideways while spinning his ring like a discus. Medea blinks rapidly three times.
Obviously, I should not have said that. But I couldn’t believe they’d still push forward with the conclave even with Eyo’s body still warm on the floor. I didn’t expect tears and lamenting—that is a show put on for funeral processions—but I thought they’d be mildly concerned.
“I wasn’t aware that omens can reveal the past,” Foreau says. He and Paolo exchange wary looks.
Actually, every single one of them seems horrified at the thought that I can discover past crimes.
Terrance’s brown eyes narrow on me. “This was not in the temple powers your father enumerated to the Senate.”
When Pryor became a republic, the High Priests all listed the powers they possessed and how they used them. But this, of course, was not on that list.
I need a way out. Now.
“It is possible, but I… Of course, the only way would be… That is to say… I would need his liver as an offering. It’s my theory that the divine would share the sacred truth as to the senator’s demise.”
I make it sound like I am reluctant to speak the details, instead of inventing a fiction.
Sounds of grievance turn into outrage that I would “cut a senator open like an animal.” Paolo looks faint and Medea wrinkles her nose in disgust. I lower myself back into my seat. Eyo’s body will be burned eventually, but no one will let me have his liver. That should put an end to my foolish confession.
But what did I just tell myself about making mistakes? Someone in this room committed multiple murders. I look from senator to senator. Any of them are capable. Terrance has bottomless ambition and little time left. Suh was a warrior who headhunted Arthagians in his youth. Foreau is suspected as an Arthagian spy, and Medea is known as a ruthless she-wolf. Even Paolo, who has a kind face, is rumored to have hastened his own father’s demise.
And any of them could have a motive, if that motive was to delay the conclave or take Eyo’s place as the heir apparent Senate Leader.
I do know one thing: the killer is growing emboldened by not being caught, byun exorum, and the others can’t sense it.
Torren stares at me with a hard gaze. My muscles tense as he looks right through me. I try to hold still, but why is he eyeing me like that?
“Back to the matter at hand, Praetorian, as we will clearly not allow our dear friend to be eviscerated.” Terrance pauses and issues me a second disgusted look. “We do not consent to being held in here when we have important decisions to debate for the good of the nation. However, you may conduct your investigation by questioning the staff and servants as you see fit.”
The four other senators nod.
Suh claps his hands together. “Very well, with that settled, we should proceed to the throne room for the conclave.”
I stare at the Praetorian. Surely he’ll stop them. I could read on his face that he knew it was poison. But Torren bows his head as Senator Terrance opens the door and leaves. The Praetorian doesn’t offer another objection. He is, of course, up for reappointment. He and Julian exchange quick hand signs I can’t decipher before Julian departs with the senators.
Torren’s gaze then falls on me. His brow wrinkles slightly with concern. My lips part, but I don’t know what to say. We seem to be the only people who realize there is a murderer on the loose—one who is striking freely now.
The ever-present scream in my throat begs to be released, but I swallow it down once more.
“High Priestess, you will be joining us, correct?” Paolo says from the doorway. “If not to vote, then at least for your divine presence.”
I shudder, surprised by his voice, but he’s looking down at my feet. I glance at the floor. I’ve come to a stop right near Eyo’s body.
Paolo frowns in sympathy. “I am certain you don’t wish to remain here.”
I nod and draw a breath.
