“I’m telling you we can read it. I did read it when I read the book to Thayla. We need that book.”
Lambrit’s words hang in the air as we all stare at one another, indecision and doubt heavy in the air.
“We’ll discuss this further after we’ve got some—”
“Lambrit!”
His name bellows from my lips and I jump to my feet, but it’s too late as he and V disappear in a flash of light.
“V, you bring him back right now!”
“I didn’t take him. He was already thinking of doing this alone. I just accompanied him so he wouldn’t. Give him a minute and let him do what his mind is pushing him to do. We will be back in no time.”
“I’m going to whoop his ass when he gets back.”
“Did he and V just starshoot to Oddian?” Amick asks.
“Yeah, I’m pretty freaking sure.” I huff, pacing around Riven in a circle.
“Hey,” Kyzen says as he halts my steps. I lean my head into his touch and sigh as he runs his thumb across my cheek. “He’ll be okay. It’s the middle of the night, so no one is there and V’s with him. How about you come sit down? You’ve had an exciting few minutes.”
He doesn’t really give me the option to say okay or no. He leads me back over to the side of the bed and before I can climb up on my own, Creed lifts me by my hips and plants me back in the middle.
I won’t lie, the strength they all have is so distractingly sexy.
He tucks his arm around me, pulling me closer as though he can’t stand the thought of not touching me. I think he’s still worked up over not knowing if it was him or Sevryn that hit me with their powers.
It was both, by the way.
I believe Yemi stepping in front of Sevryn gave him enough time to draw some of his back and same with Creed, but I still got a little zap of both.
I won’t be telling either of them that, though.
“Do you all think this is really what the Messenger is trying to tell me, or do you think I’m reading too much into it because so far, we’ve made no progress and things are starting to look a little grim?”
My question has them all falling still. It’s something we’ve been avoiding talking about, though, and I don’t think now is the time to keep evading the conversation.
Amick’s the first to break and he makes his way over to the closet. I stare at the doorway until he emerges with a rolled parchment in hand.
“Between the fact that you’re tied to them, you had Riven’s Angel Aura Amethyst clutched in your hand, and it came right at a time like this, I’d say no, you’re not just reading into it.” He doesn’t look up at me as he spreads the parchment across our bed and stares down at it like it holds all our answers.
“I brought this with me for the simple fact the shores of the Lost Sea touch Abernie. If the map in the book matches this one, we’ll know for certain. We’ll follow the landmarks of the islands and go from there.”
I nod even though I feel like I could be sick.
I’m absolutely petrified that we may have to venture into this formidable, unforgiving sea, but also, I’m freaking out that this being sent me a message and everyone’s just acting like it’s normal.
I feel like I have to keep my composure because they don’t seem concerned in the slightest.
I don’t want the being I’m tied to or any gods sending me messages. I’m already on too many Beginning Gods’ radars as it is. Add in the mystery god who orchestrated my way here to begin with, and I have far too many powerful beings fucking with me.
“You are a powerful being as well.”
“Not the time to be eavesdropping, Seismet.”
“I can’t help it. I feel your unease. I want you to know, while the meddling owl isn’t around, the Messenger is a lot like him, Verlet, and myself. They have a purpose, and they take their purpose seriously. I can’t exactly speak for them, but like V told you, they’ve never been given the opportunity to care for a being tied to them. Maybe you should try embracing their help rather than fearing it. If you were more accepting, they may be more giving.”
I release a deep breath and sink deeper into Creed’s side.
