Carved into the stone is a door that’s decorated in intricate, chiseled patterns. Familiar power pulses around it, and I eye my brother.
“No harm will come to any of you in here. Just stay where I tell you to and you’ll be fine.”
Thayla glances over her shoulder at us with worry creasing her features as Creed slides the stone seamlessly into the wall.
Amick grips the few inches of slab sticking out as we pass it by, giving it a few pushes and pulls. It glides in and out easily and he hums a quiet, “Interesting.”
His curiosity grows as we make our way into the dimly lit chamber and my unease deepens with every step we take.
Soon enough, we’re all standing in an empty room, facing what looks like a body of water. It stretches so far into the distance, I don’t see an ending.
Torch flames flicker on the surface, dancing with the subtle current, and I scan their placements. Besides them, there are no carvings, decorations, statues, or anything personal in this room. The only thing other than smooth stone is the two archways that I assume lead down hallways.
Creed’s eyes glow white as he stares at the water with pure, unfiltered disgust.
“About time you came to clear the clutter.”
Our group whips around in defensive positions as a man appears in the threshold of one of those arches.
“Zareb,” Creed says as he tilts his head just a bit.
The god doesn’t bristle or budge as we all put our weapons away. He keeps his attention solely on Creed. Much like the High Chancellor, there’s an air of authority and superiority that surrounds him.
Whatever his role is in this place, it’s given him a complex that has him believing he’s above all.
Even Creed.
“The time between your visits has grown longer. Now you’ve brought an entourage with you to fulfill your duty. What’s the meaning of this?”
“Watch the accusation in your tone. I don’t answer to you.”
“Of course not, but you have placed the responsibility on me to keep the souls contained. How do you suppose I continue to do that effectively if you aren’t keeping up your end of our agreement? I’m only one god, restricting thousands of souls. Some of which should’ve moved on long ago.”
“I didn’t place an extra responsibility on you. Only asked that you keep the one you’ve always served. I’ll take care of—”
“Is everything okay, sir?”
“I told you to stay in your chamber,” Zareb barks, but the newly arrived god doesn’t move.
His calculating gaze scans over each of us, and I catch the smallest amount of hope flicker in his eyes.
“Get back to your—”
“What’s your name?”
Thayla’s tone silences the room, and she intently observes the random god. She obviously picked up on his body language as well.
It isn’t only the way he’s standing that’s making discomfort settle in my stomach. He’s dressed much like Zareb is. The gods who are here and are allowed a role to earn their redemption are supposed to be dressed in an identifiable uniform.
Not robes.
“Attendant, ma’am.”
Shock races through each of us and my power shoots out of me at my command. Everyone but my Valtrue freezes.
“What the hell is this, Creed?” I ask.
“I don’t fucking know. He’s allowed help, but no Attendant should be down here. Especially not him. Not only is his soul intact, but it’s pure. Pull your power back so I can find out.”
