Page 6 of The Gods Order

My pulse fluttered as power spilled through an opening forming in the barrier ahead of us. A figure crossed the threshold, and the moment their foot touched the stone on our side, my power of Boundaries snapped tight across my spine.

All I could breathe out was, “You.”

He had returned…

Thayla

1

He’s returned.

Him.

My gaze never leaves his, even when it’s clear he’s not going to answer my breathy whisper. Confusion and denial run wild through my mind as he shifts his focus from me to over his shoulder. My attention follows, and my arms drift down to my sides.

The barrier behind him splits open, giving us a clear view of what he’s guarding so protectively. We stagger back a step as a pulse of power washes through the space, making it feel impossibly small.

Bright luminescent light flares through the opening, and my heart hammers against my ribs. I’ve felt this sensation a few times, but never like this. Reckless desire pulls me toward it, but I force my feet to stay planted.

The familiar power slithers over my skin, stealing the air from my lungs and silencing the madness taking root in my mind.

We’ve found exactly what we came for.

The replicas don’t hold a candle to this.

They’re small enough to fit in my palm, and their essence stays trapped inside a smooth globe. Protective bronze wraps around each creation, with little feet for them to stand on. They’re functional and portable. A pale comparison to this.

The original Gods Binding.

Three broad bronze steps stretch nearly the length of the room, leading up to a circular dais. Bronze arches curve around the platform like the remnants of an enormous cage, engraved with swirling patterns, stars, the sun, and the moon.

There is no globe restricting the essence.

Suspended between the bronze supports hovers a sphere of brilliant white power. It churns endlessly like clouds of light folding over one another in slow, graceful currents.

The replicas are lanterns.

This is the star they borrowed their light from.

My breathing labors as my eyes trace the massive creation. It’s beautiful and hypnotizing. The raw, ancient essence calls to all of us. We lean forward, unable to stop ourselves from answering its pull.

Faster than I can blink, the barrier slams shut, severing the connection. We stumble like we were struck across the chest.

My eyes race to adjust to the dim lighting. My fingers tighten around my daggers as the haze lifts from my mind. Torches blaze to life, and light fully claims him.

Something in me recoils and leans in at the same time.

It makes no sense. It makes too much sense.

My pulse roars in my ears, drowning out everyone’s heavy breathing—except his. His breaths are measured, steady, like this moment is exactly how it was always meant to unfold.

No.

He takes another step forward, and none of us move.

“Valthaneus,” Amick says with absolute certainty. “Beginning God of Boundaries.”

He doesn’t respond. His eyes drift shut, and he dips his head.