I can’t stop thinking about how it would solve everything.
I shared my thoughts with Magistratus Garrin, fully expecting him to send me packing from the island. I didn’t factor in just how hungry heand many of the other residents are for more magic, something they never knew was possible until I became their Priest. They’ve changed since I started performing my rituals here. They’veevolved. Just as I have.
Garrin supports my plan, as do my devoted followers, though of course I didn’t tell them everything. The details don’t matter; they all suffer from the same ravenous yearning that ensnares me, with it driving us to do things we may not be proud of but accept as necessary. We will do whatever it takes, no matter the cost.
“For the greater good,” Garrin said when I explained to him alone what the sacrifice requires, his eyes more wild and manic than when I first arrived. It was like looking in a mirror, the Stream’s magic having left its mark on us both. On usall.
“We’ll use someone with no family or personal connections and make it look like an accident,” he added. “No one will ever learn the truth, and if they do, they’ll still be thanking us when they’re reaping the rewards.”
Reaping.
That’s exactly what we’ll be doing.
Because once the Orion sacrifice is complete and the obelisks are destroyed, the Hallow Stream will be free—and we’ll be reaping from it.
This is what it wants, I’m certain of it. It wants to be liberated, and the only way to ensure it stays that way is for me and my shallows to access its magic—tosiphonits magic—which we’ll then use to keep the fabricator mages from rebuilding the obelisks. The amount of ellixen we’ll have at our fingertips will be more than enough to overpower them.
At least in theory.
I’ve never channeled anything other than a celestial body before. I tried to in my youth out of curiosity, as many do, but it’s not possible on the mainland. I assume it has something to do with the wards around the two Hallow Streams, since they shield all ellixen flowing out into the natural world, so it makes sense that they also prevent it from being siphoned. It’s why celestial magic is so unique, because we draw power from the cosmos, far beyond the reach of the Streams’ wards.
Here on Elverdine, though…we’realsobeyond the reach of thosewards. I never thought—or dared—to attempt it before the obelisks were built, but I’m confident that once the Hallow Stream’s power is flowing once more, I’ll be able to siphon from it and bestow it upon my shallows, just like I do with my celestial rituals. The magic will be a gift, a reward for freeing it, for protecting it. In return, my shallows and I will be strong enough to take on all the mages—and to show them who has the real power here.
Never again will the Stream’s magic be suppressed. I’ll make certainof it.
The mages will be incensed, but I care little about their tantrums. Tephryn, though…
She’ll understand once I explain. She loves me. She’ll forgive me. She’ll accept why I had to do it. Why I had no choice.
And as for Zeranthe…
She’s worried about me. Says there’s something wrong with our bond, withme.
She’s overreacting.
Our bond is fine, and I’ve never felt better.
But soon I will.
Soon I’ll beunstoppable.
For the greater good, as Garrin said.
I will do this for him, for them, for my shallows.
And I will do this for me.
26
All the breath left Viri’s lungs as she laid eyes on her brother for the first time in seven years.
No longer a fourteen-year-old boy, Braedan Solace was now a young man, albeit one who looked as if he’d battled his way through the entire Mistwood. His face was covered in dirt and scratches, his green cloak torn and muddied, his auburn hair mussed and windswept. But it was the black veins streaking up his arms and his familiar pale blue eyes—their father’s eyes—that made Viri feel as if she’d been punched in the stomach.
Braedan, too, looked as if he’d seen a ghost as Viri and Reeve arrived in the center of the room, his eyes widening and his face draining of color. But he recovered quickly and spun toward the Guardian, words rushing out of him so fast that Viri didn’t have a chance to think, let alone try to stop him as he declared, “Guardian, I wish for the death of—”
Reeve lunged forward and yelled over him,“I wish for Braedan not to get a wish!”
“NO!”Braedan roared, but he was too late.
