Fuck. I forgot about that air bubble.
I explain not only the instructions Willow left me with, but also her advice. They share a similar shock, which is expected. So is the familiar anger I felt as well. Seven Bindings out, and seven must go back in isn’t cryptic. It’s quite clear, but so is its impossibility.
“By the grace of the Valories, none of these creations or pieces have been destroyed. Ruin would reign across the realm if that were to happen. The essences within would become catastrophic rather than creating. The power would return to all beings in a matter of pure chaos rather than controlled, balanced relief.”
“What?” I ask as Amick stares off.
“That was the passage I read from the book in the restricted room in the Athenaeum. The ruin that would reign was referring to the damage the original Gods Binding would take. The power releasing is referring to whatever is trapped in the replicas. If it’s cleansed, there’s no power within it.”
“If our father’s Binding is destroyed, there’s no telling what that power would do to people,” Kyzen adds, and I hang my head.
“Fuck. How in the hell are we supposed to get our hands on his, then collect the other four?” Riven asks, sending us all into silence.
“Let’s just go the fuck home, then we’ll figure this out,” Creed grits out through clenched teeth.
I’m nodding in agreement before I truly think about that. A deep sigh slips through my lips as I close my eyes.
“We can’t go straight home.”
“Why the hell not?” Riven asks, groaning.
“We have to go check on Sevryn.” That straightens their spines, and I turn my attention to V. “What happened when you left him?”
“I starshot him directly to his couch and briefly informed Yemi of what was going on so she could return home as quickly as possible. Then I blocked her out so I could focus on you.”
I grunt at the picture I paint in my mind.
“Yeah, we need to go check on them and make sure he hasn’t done anything stupid like run back to the Abandon on his own. V, will you…”
I hold the Gods Binding and the bag of vials out toward him.
“I’ll hide and protect this one along with the other.”
His claws gently grasp the clear globe and the corded handles. I swallow the saliva that collects in my mouth.
Fuck. Two down. Five to go.
Creed
5
Every inhale, like a dagger laced in death, punctures my soul.
It doesn’t leave behind a clean wound. The last thing it is, is merciful.
It twists on the way in, barbed and deliberate, like my own power knows exactly where to sink its teeth.
I’ve struggled through every conversation. Every gods-forsaken fucking moment since we left the Abandon.
I nodded when my brothers did. I answered when spoken to. I even added my own two cents when I got my voice working.
My feet carried me forward like I’m not hollow from the inside out.
The only reason I haven’t shattered is V. He hasn’t said a word about it. Hasn’t acknowledged what he’s doing.
He’s just…there.
His power wrapped around me in his starshoot and never left me. Even when he left us momentarily to go hide the newBinding with the other, it stayed. It lies over my skin like a careful hand over a bleeding wound. There’s enough pressure to keep me upright, but not enough to numb it.
