Page 22

Chapter

Twenty-One

“An earthquake?” The words felt strange on my tongue as if saying them would make the truth more real.

“What happened?”

Oz sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

“It’s bad. Magister Kerai was the first to hear this morning. His family lives in Hadash. He said the damage is extensive. Most of the Eternal Court was there, preparing for the festival.”

The realization slammed into me.

We had been there last night, walking those very paths touching the ancient stones.

“How many people…?” My voice cracked, and I quickly swallowed, trying to push down the panic rising in my chest.

“Fifty or so confirmed dead, but they’re still searching through the rubble,” Oz said quietly.

“They think it could be more.”

“Fifty?” The word seemed too small to carry the weight of so much loss.

My stomach churned, nausea creeping up.

“Gods…”

Lil’s voice was unusually soft.

“Do you think they’ll still hold the festival today?”

“It depends. We’ll probably know soon. If they cancel, word will spread fast. Otherwise, people will be preparing their offerings,” Kadian said.

The table fell silent again, each of us retreating into our thoughts.

I barely noticed the food in front of me, my appetite gone.

We finished breakfast in an uneasy quiet, the clatter of dishes and murmurs of other inductees the only sounds around us.

Lil and Oz exchanged a glance before rising, Lil offering me a small, reassuring smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“We should get ready,” she said.

“They’ll expect us to be at our best, no matter what.”

As they left, Kadian lingered, his gaze heavy on me.

“Where were you last night?”

The question made my heart spike.

I had expected it, but not so soon, not with the news of Hadash weighing on us like this.

I forced a calm expression though my mind was racing.

“Here. You saw me at dinner, remember?” I tucked my hand under the table, hiding the bandage from his view.

This wasn’t the time to let suspicion grow.

Kadian didn’t look convinced.

His eyes dropped to my hand, now hidden in my lap.

“You didn’t have that bandage last night. What happened?”

I bit back a sigh.

“I slipped, cut my hand. Nothing major.” Not too big of a lie.

“Hmm.” He didn’t look convinced but let it go, nodding.

“Just be careful.”

“Always,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Kadian excused himself, muttering something about changing into more appropriate attire for the day’s events.

I knew it was an excuse.

His eagerness to impress Lil was obvious to anyone paying attention.

But I had bigger concerns.

The news about Hadash had rattled me.

It was like a stone lodged in my chest, heavy and cold.

And then there was Marsh…

I needed to find him.

He’d been there with me last night, right by my side, when the ground trembled.

Had he noticed it, too?

Or was I the only one who felt the earth’s warning?

Should I have said something?

Could I have stopped this?

I needed to speak with Marsh.

Maybe he had more information as to what was happening and would be able to fill me in.

I saw Magister Illerium walking towards his office, “Magister,”' I said.

He looked towards me, “Yes, Brida. How may I help?” He was looking even worse than usual. He’d always appeared sickly, never having much color in his face, his hair looking like it had been leached of all color.

“I was wondering if you could tell me where I might be able to find Marsh?”

He smiled. “Ah yes, the two of you have been becoming quite close.”

Gods. I sighed.

“He’s been a great friend to me since arriving. It’s been nice to have a companion on my morning run.” I replied as curtly and politely as possible.

“Yes,” he looked me up and down, his eyes lingering in a way that told me he didn’t believe a word I’d uttered.

“Indeed. Unfortunately, Marsh will be preoccupied for the majority of the day. He’ll be transporting members of the Eternal Court back and forth from Hadash to assess the level of damage. He should be back for the feast this evening.”

So, things are to continue as planned.

“Do…” I began to ask.

“Go on,” he prompted me.

“Do you know how bad it is? In Hadash, I mean?”

“The death toll is two hundred and rising. We’ve never seen anything quite like it. No one is sure what caused it. No warnings were felt in the hours leading up to the event.”

“When did it occur, Magister?”

“Around eleven-thirty last night.”

An hour after we returned.

“Thank you, Magister,” I paused, “I’m sorry if you know anyone in Hadash who has been injured.” I meant it. The loss of life was tragic. I knew what it was like to be without a mother. How many children lost a parent last night? How many would lose them in the aftershocks?

“Brida,” he paused, “you have a few hours before your offering needs to have been made. If you wish to do so at a time when few others may be there. I would advise you go now.”

I nodded as he entered his office.

My offering is from Hadash. Should I still go forward with it? If I didn’t, what would I offer? I pulled the vial from my pocket, red swirled in the water. Not quite realizing in the darkness and haze of last night, blood from my wound found its way into the vial. Staring at it, I had an idea.

The halls overflowed with people. I passed groups of inductees who were crying, people vanishing in and out of sight with Walkers attached to them, and sheer panic on the faces of those preparing everything for the evening. The corridor leading to the Eternal House, however, was empty and mostly dark. Candles had been lit and placed in candelabras outside of the entryway.

They came in assorted sizes and shapes, yet all bore the hallmark of longevity, evident in the thick coating of wax firmly attached to each one. In the midst of the candles, an altar made from stone sat there.

The altar loomed before me, ancient stone veined with cracks that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. I hesitated, the vial in my pocket feeling like a lead weight. My offering, my blood, still fresh and mixed with the sacred water. Last night, it had felt like a necessary act, a step toward something greater. But now, with the knowledge of Hadash’s fate…it felt like a curse.

“Giaxia,” I whispered, my voice trembling. The name echoed in the still air. “I offer you my blood.” My hand shook as I placed the vial on the altar, the liquid inside swirling a deep crimson. “From Hadash comes the life of this world, the Pool of Vitality, and from this is the life of my soul. I offer you this as my troth. May it please you.”

As soon as the words left my lips, the vial vanished, swallowed by the altar. I exhaled a wavering breath, but the tightness in my chest remained. Was it enough? Was it accepted?

The darkness in the hall seemed to thicken, the air growing heavier, pressing down on me like a physical force. My senses sharpened, catching the faint scent of smoke and something citrusy, like burning oranges.

“Now, who’s eavesdropping?” I said, forcing my voice to steady.

A figure stepped out from the shadows, the darkness clinging to him like a second skin. Dainan. His presence was as unsettling as it was alluring, a dangerous mix that made my heart race for all the wrong reasons. “Don’t worry, Brida,” he murmured, his voice carrying a silky undertone. “I didn’t see or hear what you offered. I just arrived to present my gift.” He moved with a predatory grace, placing a leather-bound book on the altar. The shadows around him swirled, as if alive, drawn to the ancient stone.

I barely heard him, too focused on the way the shadows seemed to coil and writhe around him. His scowl brought me back to the present. “What happened to your hand?” His voice held an edge, a mix of concern and something darker.

I hid my hand behind my back, trying to appear nonchalant. “I slipped. Cut myself. It’s nothing.”

Dainan’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his gaze intense. “Who did this to you? Was it Marsh?” There was an unmistakable note of anger in his voice, something raw and primal.

“No,” I said quickly, pulling my hand further out of his reach. “Why would you even think that?”

His lips curled into a sneer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “I can smell him on you.”

My heart skipped a beat. “I take it that you don’t find his scent to be overly appealing?”

His eyes flared, the shadows around him pulsing in response. “I do not.”

I fought to keep my voice steady. “Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people from the shadows, memorizing their scents? It seems rather unbecoming of a prince.”

His chuckle was low, almost a growl. “Are you trying to provoke me, Brida?”

“Just making an observation.” I took a step back, needing space between us. The air felt too warm, too thick with unspoken tension.

He took a step forward, closing the distance again. His eyes were like burning embers, hot and unyielding. “And what observation is that?”

My words faltered as I met his gaze, the heat in his eyes causing me to momentarily freeze. I could feel the intensity of his gaze, the way it seemed to strip away my defenses, leaving me exposed. Vulnerable.

“I would say I’ve taken your breath away,” he murmured, leaning in close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my ear. “But I must know, Brida… What did you offer Giaxia?”

The shadows seemed to press in around us, dark and suffocating. I forced myself to meet his gaze, to push back against the overwhelming presence he exuded. “What does it matter?” I managed to say, my voice sharper than I felt. “She’s not your Primal.”

Dainan’s chuckle was dark, rich with amusement. “True. But indulge me.”

I hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. “I offered her life,” I finally whispered.

“Life?” His brow arched, curiosity piqued.

I nodded, feeling the tension ease as the shadows around us retreated, the air lightening. “Yes, life. My blood.”

“Interesting.” He tilted his head, studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. His gaze dropped to my bandaged hand again, lingering. “Blood. A potent offering. You should’ve saved it for Vasenia. She would’ve appreciated the gesture.”

“Vasenia?” I frowned, surprised. “ I didn’t know that the Court of Shadows had an affinity to blood magic,” I said.

Why am I continuing this conversation?

His face remained neutral as he made his way to a bench and sat down. “Very few do know, but that wasn’t always the case. Vasenia was said to have beasts that were connected to her through blood magic, but no one has seen them for centuries, nor can anyone attest to the validity of the claim that they bowed to her.”

“What…what sort of beasts?” I had a vague idea, but I wanted confirmation as I’d never heard it spoken by an actual member of the Court of Shadows. It was mentioned in The Trials of Thale .

“Wyvern. Dragons proved uncontrollable, yet wyverns exhibited a distinct affinity for blood magic. Given Vasenia’s status as the progenitor of blood magic, it was a natural pairing.” He gestured to the spot on the bench next to him.

I knew better, but I couldn’t help myself; he’d piqued my curiosity. He smiled as I sat down. Not a wide grin, but a small smile. It was endearing. An amiable silence fell between us.

“Did you know anyone in Hadash?” I finally asked.

He nodded. “It’s a terrible thing. And suspicious timing,” he looked straight ahead at the entrance to the Eternal House.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

“What is it you see in Marsh?” He looked at me, completely ignoring my question.

“That’s rather personal,” I shifted, feeling increasingly uneasy.

“I thought we were in a sharing mood. I’m trying to get to know you better, Brida .”

“Stop saying my name like that,” I said, and he laughed. It was deep, sultry, smokey.

“Should I call you something else then?” He looked at me, eyes ablaze with the warmth of a crackling fire on a brisk day. It was unusual and transfixed me the longer I stared at them. I refused to answer. His laugh deepened and echoed from his chest. “You can call me whatever you wish,” he said with a wicked grin on his face.

I could think of several things in this moment that I wanted to call him, but I refused to utter any of them aloud.

“What did you give Giaxia?” I found myself asking in a tone that was less than forgiving.

“I thought it was clear that I gave a book,” he gestured to the altar.

“Yes, but…” He looked at me with such curiosity. Why is he looking at me like that ?

“What is the book about?” I finally said.

He crossed his legs, appearing completely at ease, “A book of the history of Hadash. Despite being known as soldiers, the Eternal Court are the keepers of history. It is a gift bestowed upon few of its members, but it is a well regarded post. That book is valuable to them. Given recent events, I thought they would appreciate it.”

So, he is considerate.

“You never answered me,” he said while turning towards me, “what is it you see in Marsh?”

“What makes you think I see anything in him?” I stood, folding my arms.

“Like I said,” Dainan rose to meet me, “ I can smell him on you. ” There was no questioning the disdain in his voice. A tainted history lingered between the two of them. Somehow, I found myself in the middle of it.

“I should be going,” I said as I turned to walk away.

“Until next time, Ilia. ”

“Ilia?” I said, turning back to face him. The waves of his hair had fallen ever so slightly into his face.

“Well, if Brida is no longer allowed, it will have to do. ”

“What does it mean?” I asked.

“Figure it out,” he smirked. Shadows spiraled up from the floor, enveloping him. In the blink of an eye, he vanished.