Page 45

Luca sighed. “Nothing the Divine does is ever straightforward. You should know that by now. Even if we could translate every words, I doubt they would bring you any peace. It would only be more riddles to drive you mad.”

Footsteps echoed through the ruins and my hand dropped to my knife. I let out a sigh when Amos emerged from the shadows. His eyes sharp beneath the weight of sleepless nights.

“They told me you’d still be here,” he said, eyes drifting to the book in my hands. “You look like shit, my friend.”

I let out a dry laugh. “I need answers, Amos. I have them right here, and still, it’s like trying to read the stars through storm clouds. Has the Divine given up on Hiraeth?”

“May I?” he asked, motioning to the book.

I handed it to him. At this point, he could have the damn thing for all the good it had done me.

He fingered through the pages, a warm smile on his face as his aged hands swept across the parchment. “Used to be that knowing the language of the ancient ones was a death sentence. Too many thought they could bend the will of the Divine by silencing their messengers. Damn fools.”

“And they’ve cursed the rest of us in their ignorance. That book’s nothing more than good kindling now,” Lucius muttered.

“Ah, but the Divine work in mysterious ways. Prophecies were never meant to hand you all the answers. Fate and destiny are a twisted, complicated mess—meant to maintain the delicate balance of life.” Amos closed the book, clutching it to his chest, his gaze steady on mine.

“Good begets evil. Evil begets good. Each of us has a role to play, and prophecy helps lead us down the right path. Sometimes that path isn’t the easy one.

Sometimes it’s the one that breaks you. And that is why the weak cannot handle that kind of knowledge.

What kind of leader are you, Nico, son of Artos? ”

“I want to do right by my people. By my family... and by the woman I love.” I held his gaze, hoping he could feel the conviction behind my words.

“Even if the cost is your life?” he asked. His typically animated features were stoic as he awaited my answer.

“Even then. If that’s the price, I’d pay it gladly.”

“Mmhmm.” He nodded, a broad smile cracking his features as he looked up toward the ceiling. “I believe I’m the one that told you!” he called out.

“I’m sorry—what?”

“The Divine felt the need to confirm the truth of your words.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “But I’m the one who told them you had a pure soul.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but that doesn’t help me now.

” I sighed. “Silent prayers in ruined temples won’t spill the blood of my enemies, and that’s what I need now.

Does the Divine care to explain how I’m supposed to defeat Johan when he has the Bloodstone Sigil?

I’ve racked my brain and still haven’t found the answer. ”

Amos reopened the Book of Astrium, flipping to the page I knew so well.

“As it turns out, I know a thing or two about the ancient tongue. And what I can’t manage, the Divine will whisper in my ear.

But not until they’ve had their fun watching me struggle through it,” he chuckled, his whole belly shaking as he slapped his knee.

I stared at him in disbelief. The old sage had just offered to translate a dead text, and he laughed as if he’d shared a tavern joke rather than offering the key to my entire fate.

“Are you serious? You’ve been able to read it the whole time and never said anything?” Luca asked, breaking through my stunned silence.

“Sometimes the right path comes exactly when you need it and not a moment before,”Amos replied, waving away the accusation.

“Well, get to it. What does it say?” Lucius snapped, tone as sharp as ever.

“As I said, I only know so much. The Divine fills in the gaps when they’re feeling generous.” Amos squinted at the page, adjusting it this way and that, muttering under his breath as we watched in tense silence.

“I think he’s had too much to drink,” Lucius grumbled. “Maybe we shouldn’t leave Mic’s fate in his hands.”

“Oh ye of little faith.” Amos didn’t look up.

“Keep distrusting those who care about you, and you’ll die a lonely death.

Remember that. Now... this first part I can make out.

” He cleared his throat. “‘Seven shall rise... when the—cap? No, that’s not right. Crest, maybe?’” He turned the book sideways, then nodded.

“Ah, thank you. Crown . That’s it.” He began again: “‘Seven shall rise when the crown is undone... Beasts in the spirit... tethered to but one. A heart born frail... in shadow confined... Unbound blood cracks deep when the stars align.’”

He looked up with a wide grin, clearly pleased with himself.

“Like I told you,” Luca growled, his voice like tempered steel. “All riddles and no answers. Prayers and prophecies won’t bring you peace, and it sure as hell won’t help Mic. We act now—or we lose everything.”

He stalked out of the temple without looking back. Lucius sneered at me and followed after him.

“Keep the book, Amos,” I said quietly. “Work on the rest... but I can’t wait any longer. I’ll have to make my own fate now.”