“No, it wouldn’t have been. If I had told you, you would’ve handled it worse than you are now. You probably would’ve dramatically attempted to drown yourself in the hot spring.”
“I don’t appreciate you calling me out or teasing at a time like this.”
“Sure you do. I’ve already informed Seismet about what’s going on. He and Verlet are on standby. If things go wrong and you need us, we’ll be there.”
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth.“You can’t join me now?”
“That wouldn’t be wise of me.”
“Why not?”
There’s a strained pause before his sigh vibrates through my mind. It causes chill bumps to litter my skin, and more unease settles in my stomach.
“Many beings are to blame for what happened to my kind, but the ultimate blame is placed on the God of Obliteration. For now, it’d be wise for him to continue believing he killed all of my kind.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, Thayla. Keep your head about you when you meet him and keep me informed.”
“I will. Thank you, V.”
Anger mixed with sorrow rages through my chest. It has my nose burning and fingers tingling as I clench them repeatedly. Creed stops dead in his tracks and turns around to face me. He steps so close our chests nearly touch.
“Whatever’s wrong, get it out now before we get there.” His quiet voice holds more attitude than I care for right now.
I sneer, then speak in a tone even lower than his. “No need to be an asshole in an already shitty situation. Are you all awarehe’sthe cause of the Vedarya extinction?”
“What?” Kyzen asks, surprised, while Riven practically growls the same word. Creed’s eyes almost soften as he shakes his head.
“That’d be the most understandable cause. The Vedarya were beings created to guide and lead the Valories’ creations. If their Vedae was headed down the wrong path, willingly and knowingly, it’d be their responsibility to set them straight again or inform the Valories. He wouldn’t have been accepting of that. He’d haveseen that as a betrayal from a being that was supposed to be on his side, no matter what.”
I wouldn’t say Amick’s straightforward explanation calms me, but it simmers the rage enough for me to think a little straighter. He’s profiling his father’s actions, just as he does with anyone else when he’s trying to understand them.
I’ve always been able to get a sense of people, but it hasn’t been until recently, spending so much time with him, that I’ve learned to analyze people more deeply.
He’s taught me so much in such a short time…
If the God of Obliteration’s decision to wipe out an entire species was because he felt betrayed, that means he’s dangerously impulsive when he’s angered. It also means he takes selfishness to another level. If he couldn’t have a connection such as that anymore, no one could.
I give Creed a nod that I’m better—if that’s how I can describe the blinding fury I felt—and he returns the gesture. The entire entourage of gods escorting us starts walking as soon as he does. None of them moved any closer or any farther.
They waited mindlessly.
“Reason two hundred thirty-three and reason two hundred thirty-four.”
I peer over at Riven as he bobs his head to his silent song I have no doubt he’s humming in his mind.
“What do those numbers mean?”
“Those are the number of reasons why I’m going to kill our sperm donor. Reason two hundred thirty-three is that he showed up here unannounced and demanded to see us. It displeases me greatly that he’s going to lay his eyes on you. Two hundred thirty-four is because he committed an unforgivable atrocity against those revered creatures.”
“Riven,” Kyzen whispers harshly.
“If we want to be technical, how many days have I been alive? Some odd twelve thousand plus? That’s a more accurate number of reasons, but nonetheless, the two hundred thirty-four is narrowed down and easier to recite. And those are only my reasons. I haven’t tallied up my brothers’. They won’t share with me all the conversations they have with themselves.”
Beside me, Kyzen makes a sound of displeasure, Creed subtly shakes his head, and I’m not sure what Amick does, but my attention falls back to Riven.
To anyone else who’d glance at him right now, they’d more than likely be frightened by the smirk on his face. My heart hurts as I observe beyond that. His smile is painful, not playful.
