Page 11 of The Gods We Defy (All Gods Must Die #2)

CHAPTER 11

A fter getting ready and putting on my mask, I grab something to eat before moving along the dark hallways.

I need to find a way down to the underground passageways, and soon. My eyes are drawn to the swirling mark on my wrist, a silent reminder. The first trial will start soon, which means my time is already running out.

I move through the dark hallways, avoiding any that are busy with people. I keep moving, trying to find a staircase out of sight. Finding one and then another. But both just bring me to more hallways and closed doors.

After an hour, it feels like the palace, but with far more hallways and corridors.

Closing my eyes, I try to think of where to try next when a small pulse of energy grabs my attention.

Opening my eyes, I follow it, and it leads me to another stairway and hallway. I keep following it and the energy grows until finally I come to a door.

It looks just like any other door I’ve come to, plain and dark, but the energy seems to pulse from within.

I move toward it when a voice calls out my name, making me freeze. Making sure my mask is in place, I turn around and the stiffness in my body eases when I see who it is.

“Veles.” Removing my mask, I walk over to him, and he envelops me in a hug that reminds me so much of my mother’s warmth. Whether it’s the blood vow or some other reason, he feels like family, and right now that’s something I desperately crave.

“How are you here?” I ask, pulling back to look at him.

“Same way I got into Findias. With my talents.” He smiles at me but shares no hint of what those talents are.

“ Why are you here? Especially when you don’t have to be.” He has no ties here, unless there’s something about the trials I’m unaware of. I know I wouldn’t be here if I had a choice. I doubt half the chosen would be.

“I’m here to keep you sane and possibly teach you some of my tricks.” His eyes sparkle with mischief and his smile grows.

“What kind of tricks?” I was always up to adding any type of trick to my skill set and I know from the look Veles is giving me, that they will definitely be of use during the trials.

“Many—”

“Seren?”

I turn around to the familiar voice and find Oryn and Nevan without masks , both walking my way. Nevan stops and moves to the side while Oryn heads straight for me and envelops me in a tight hug.

He pulls back and looks me over. “You’re okay? They said you were taken and then?—”

“I’m fine.”

Veles steps closer and moves Oryn back before placing himself beside me. “That’s close enough.”

Oryn frowns at him and opens his mouth to say something but thinks better of it with a sigh.

“We…” He glances over at Nevan and looks back at me with a hesitant expression. “I was told you would be in the trials too?” He gives me a questioning look.

“Unfortunately,” I mumble. “I… wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to be,” I say, trying to reveal as much as I can without getting a splitting headache or nosebleed.

Veles’ eyes narrow on me while Oryn gives me a sad look, nodding his head.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

“We’re on our way to meet Asra,” he says, and I feel my brows raise at his mention.

“Asra?” I glance at Veles, and he gives me a small smile. It turns into a grimace when he looks back toward Oryn.

Oryn ignores him and nods. “He’s helping us train for the trials.”

I nod my head. “I’ve seen him. He said that you’re part of the trials… by choice?” I question, needing to hear the truth from him. I’ve only been a part of the purge and already want to go home. I can only imagine what the trials and the rest of my stay here is going to be like.

His brows furrow at what must be the sound of shock in my voice. “There are a lot of benefits that come along with getting through these trials,” he points out, his tone now defensive.

I nod. “Power and money. Is that what you want from this?”

His eyes grow hard. “It will take both those things and more to find my sister.”

My eyes widen in shock and any confusion I had about his choice quickly disappears. How could I forget? Everything happened so fast, but Leora was not in the underground prison with me and is still missing.

“Asra told me you were taken when Leora was. Have you seen her since?” he asks, the hard glint in his eyes dissolving the longer he looks at me.

I swallow hard as guilt wracks me. I can’t tell him she wasn’t with me in the underground. The thought alone sends a stabbing pain through my skull.

I shake my head at him as my eyes begin to blur. “I’m sorry, I…”

Oryn steps forward and takes my hands. “It’s okay, I’ll find her. Asra told us what happened when under the palace was attacked. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to you. Thank you for looking out for her. For going after her when Levon took her.” Oryn looks over at Veles, but his eyes are glaring at where his hands are in mine.

Oryn sighs and releases them, taking a step back. “We have to meet up with Asra. But we’ll talk soon.” Oryn turns to Nevan, and he walks over to us, avoiding looking at me, and dips his head low as he passes.

I don’t miss the dark circles under his eyes and how drawn and exhausted he looks. I shouldn’t feel any empathy for him, but I can’t help it. He wears his guilt and grief like a second skin.

“I can gut him for you if you’d like?” Veles says as they disappear from view.

I watch Nevan and the way his body tenses, his shoulders hunched. “He lost his wife.”

Veles looks at me, his eyes softening as he sighs. “Too good for this world. Come on, I need to take you somewhere.”

“Where?” I ask, but follow him, putting my mask back on before we move.

“The first trial has been moved up,” he reveals. “And you’re going to need all the help you can get.”

“You know I already know how to fight,” I remind him, but my mind is playing back his words, over and over. Taunting me, telling me I’m already running out of time.

“I do. But the trials are a little different. You need to stay fit and learn what each may entail.”

My eyes veer to his. “You’re going to train me?” I ask, a little shocked.

He gives me a small knowing smile but says nothing as we move along the hall, down long wide steps, and out into the open courtyard covered in snow. The icy breeze chilling me as we enter.

“Veles, where are we going?” I ask, hoping we’re not heading back to the forest. I’ve seen enough of it for now.

He glances over his shoulder with a hidden smile. “You’ll see.”

I frown at his mysterious act as we move farther across the courtyard to the right in the opposite direction of the forest. We keep moving past the small buildings and sheds sprinkled throughout the snow, to under the bridge and out to another large open area. From here I spot a huge mass of green mountains not too far in the distance, a dark shadowed spot, and a span of harsh, barren land.

We keep moving until we come up to what looks like an abandoned building. The outside of which has been battered by the harsh weather and is slowly deteriorating.

“Most of the chosen train in secret and have already claimed the rooms in the main building.” He tilts his head toward the gate. “This place is warded and will only allow you, I, and those we trust inside.”

We head inside and the icy breeze can no longer reach us and warmth filters in around me. I glance around the large clean room. It appears well-built and quite solid, despite its crumbling facade. But maybe that’s the point, to deter unwanted guests.

Weapons of every kind line the wall on my left, while a wide wooden staircase is on my right farther in. The room itself feels warm and welcoming, and something about it sets me instantly at ease.

“So, you really are going to help train me for the trials?” I take off my mask and turn to look at Veles, but he shakes his head and gives me a small smile.

“Not me.”

I frown, glancing around the room once more. “Then who?”

Footsteps draw near and someone walks into the room behind us. I whip around, wondering how safe the wards are if they just allow anyone to walk in. Only to find Kestral walking toward us.