The offer sounds cruel and heartless, but in truth, it’s the kindest thing he could do for me. I know Ziv can keep her safe after the games, so there will be no point in me sticking around after that. It’s still not an easy pill to swallow. “How gracious,” I gripe.
“I didn’t say it wouldn’t benefit me, demon, but know the offer stands, even if she hates me for a century or two for it.”
“A century or two?” I snort, no one would care about me for a fraction of that time.
“It would be helpful if you didn’t allow her to become too attached.”
“I bet it would be.” A dark chuckle emanates from my chest.
“I’m only thinking of her,” he deadpans, and I realize for the very first time, the fallen is capable of emotions beyond the desire to cause pain and kill. He’s trying to make light of the situation. In another lifetime, I might appreciate the humor, but now, it just fucking sucks.
“I hope she does hate you for it, but thank you.” I make sure to meet his eyes when I say this, allowing him to see the truth in every word.
Ziv gives me another nod of acknowledgment, and talk of my death ceases as if it never happened. “I found her father.” His subject change is swift and welcome.
“Did he survive the encounter?” I retake my seat on the edge of the pillows.
“Just barely,” he sneers with open disgust. “One gutting nearly killed him.”
“Where is he now?”
“In a chamber about a hundred feet under the oldest cemetery in Osier, where all the rot of the dead can weep on him.”
I wince at the imagery. “You’re kind of sick in the head.”
“Just wait until he gets thirsty enough to drink the moisture from the walls.”
I shudder in revulsion. The gods really are cruel bastards.
“It’s far better than what he deserves,” Ziv defends as if I censured him.
“I don’t disagree, I just never would have thought of it. Does she know?”
“Not the details, but she did say she wanted to watch me make him eat his own tongue.” There’s a strange expression on the fallen god’s face. It might be his version of a smile, but I can’t say for certain.
“I need to know more about why someone would set her up and what we’re going to do about it.” I settle back into the cushions, more relaxed than I’ve been in days, but that’s not saying much, considering I still feel like I’m going to fly apart at the seams.
“My assumption would be they did it to get rid of her, or at the very least draw attention to what she may be capable of. I don’t know who’s behind it yet, but I will find out, and when I do, they will no longer be a threat to anyone.”
“Whatisshe capable of?” It’s hard to think of my delicate creature as deadly, especially when she’s sleeping.
“I’m not sure, but if she’s anything like the other known void, then a great many things.”
BRIAR
Ziv guides me through the crowded halls. Without him, I would more than likely be going in the opposite direction. I really don’t want to be grouped in with the other novices, but he was pretty clear I don’t have any other option.
As the throng thins, I know we’re getting closer to our destination. A sliver of unease sours my stomach. I don’t know what’s making me more nervous—the realization that Ziv will be leaving me, or the unknown of being with the other novices. I would be lying if I said seeing Kage wasn’t adding to my worries. It will be the first time I’ve seen him since Ziv told me the handsome blue demon is also linked to me. It helps explainwhy he’s been in my thoughts so much, but that doesn’t make anything less awkward.
He’s never appeared particularly happy to see me, and I’m not certain that will change now that I know who and what he is to me.
Ziv stops a few steps before a set of wide double doors. Without thought, my body follows his, coming to rest beside him. Before a word can be spoken between us, Kage emerges from the room, his glowing, pupilless eyes already trained on mine, as if he knew exactly where to find me. The delicate current between us is easily recognizable, now that I understand the reason for my fascination with him. It’s not as strong as the one between Ziv and me, but even now I can feel it growing like a thin vine, searching for sunlight.
“Demon,” Ziv greets. If I’m not mistaken, there’s not nearly as much hostility in his tone as there was the last time he spoke to Kage.
“I’ll keep her safe, fallen.”
It feels strange to be talked about yet ignored at the same time. I take one last glance up at Ziv before getting the nerve to step away from him. There’s an infinitesimal shift of his shoulder, as if he’s going to move, or maybe it was wishful thinking on my part, hoping he would stop me from leaving because he just continues to stand there as I step toward Kage and the open room behind him.
