Page 13 of The Gods We Defy (All Gods Must Die #2)

CHAPTER 13

W hite smoke weaves through my fingers, winding around my hand before curling down my arm. I keep my focus on my Sidus light, visualizing the strings once more, and the smoke fades, becoming long strands that wrap around my hand.

Letting them disperse, I get up off my bed and glance around my room, at its dark, mountain walls. My mind now drifting to when Kestral bound my ability to reach his powers.

It was for the best. He was right. We didn’t have enough time to train me. And after the other day… My stomach churns at the thought.

I could’ve killed him. That fire could have spread and spread, not only hurting him , but many more. If that were to happen in the trials, I could only imagine the devastation I would cause.

It’s better this way… I just wish the hole now somewhere deep inside me knew that, too.

I didn’t realize his powers had carved a piece of me, but now that’s it’s gone, the hollow space left behind is making itself known.

Maybe it’s not his powers that are gone, but a piece of him. And something about that saddens me.

Releasing a harsh breath, I shake the thoughts from my mind, trying to dispel them. After practicing with my Sidus light and switching from the strange white smoke to my strings for the last couple of hours, I need to stretch my body.

Asra is supposed to train with me soon. Once he’s done with Oryn and Nevan. Veles explained Kestral had royal duties to attend to, but I know he’s avoiding me after what happened. And instead of wallowing in my guilt or waiting around for my turn to train, I decide to go hunting for the green stone.

Placing my mask on, I pull up my hood and get moving through the hallways, roaming through the maze of the carved-out mountain to find that door I was drawn to.

A few wrong turns have me wasting time, but eventually I listen to my gut and find it.

Glancing around to make sure no one is about, I take a deep breath and push it open.

Stepping inside, I’m met with a long, winding staircase. It looks old, the brick of the steps worn and crumbling at the edges.

Following the warped metal handrail, I move down while staying as silent as I can.

The surrounding space darkens, and memories of the underground prison flash across my mind, making me pause.

No. You are not there. This is Túr Rí. You can leave this underground anytime. You are not powerless. I remind myself over and over until I start believing it too.

Clenching my fists, I get moving once more, dispelling my unwanted fears and memories.

Another wooden door greets me, and I pause, listening, hoping I’m not walking straight into trouble.

For all I know, this could be an area some of the chosen like to frequent. And after the first purge in the forest, I don’t want to meet any so soon again.

I push the door open with a creak and it would seem luck is on my side this evening as it leads out to an open area that veers off in three different directions. One directly in front of me, with another two on each side.

Drawn to the one on the left, I keep my guard up and eyes watchful, making note of minor changes in the groves so I can find my way back.

The passageway goes on for a bit before leading me to a long tunnel.

A slow dripping sound of water echoes through the tunnel the farther I move down it. I follow the sound but freeze when a vicious growl bounces off the walls.

I glance back at the way I came, but whatever beast made that sound is not far.

Another loud growl sounds out, but it sounds more pained, and I wince at the foolish thought that drops into my mind. The one that tells me to go check it out.

It could be huge and turn around and eat me. It could be trying to lure me there under the pretense of suffering and pain. But my legs don’t listen and start moving towards the bend. I keep my steps soft and my movements swift, just in case my intuition is wrong.

Before moving another step, I peek behind the curved wall, but I freeze the moment I spot what beast is making the sound.

A large familiar beast. The one that saved me in the forest. But what’s more shocking is what it’s doing.

Thrashing, shaking, trembling, and growling as it changes, shedding its dark skin and morphing into something else. Someone else.

I wince at the crack and grind of bones as it shrinks until all that’s left is a male body with a familiar face.

Veles.

V eles must have stashed some clothes down here. He’s finishing throwing them on when I step out of my spot.

He doesn’t tense up or whip around at me in shock. Instead, he turns around wearing a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You knew I was here?” I ask.

He nods. “I smelled you the minute you entered the tunnel. Unfortunately, I was in the midst of a change and couldn’t get away.” He shrugs as if it doesn’t bother him, but I can see the truth in his eyes. There’s a sadness there that I don’t quite understand.

“You saved me,” I tell him, realizing it was him who saved me in the forest against the sidhe hound.

I move closer to him but stop when he tenses. “Am I not supposed to be the one frightened here? Why are you tense?”

He silently looks at me as if trying to figure something out. “You’re not afraid of me?” he asks, his tone a mix of shock and awe.

“No. You’re Veles and you saved me,” I remind him.

He nods, wearing a dazed expression. “I’m Veles,” he murmurs. “But… also a beast.” He gives me a strange look. One I don’t understand.

“Yes. I saw. Why do you look so confused?” I try to see it from his point of view. But it’s Veles. He’s done nothing but try to help me. We have a bond that’s life bound. He is my friend.

“Are you not disgusted that I transform into a large, hideous beast?” he asks, finally revealing his fear. It only makes my heart break a little.

He was worried I would be afraid of him or disgusted by his beast form. But it’s part of him. As much a part of him as my Sidus and Caligo are sides of me. And I would never want him to hide a side of himself just to make me feel comfortable.

I did that for years and look where it’s gotten me. Feeling like half a person. Like I have one foot in each world while never fully existing in either.

I clear my throat. “You’re not that hideous. I might actually prefer your beast over, well…” I glance up and down at his form and frown, making sure to emphasize my disappointment. “This.”

He narrows his eyes on me, but I catch the light that is starting to seep back into them, along with a sliver of warmth.

“We both know this form is far more pleasing to the eye.” He moves a step closer to me and when I don’t tense up, he keeps moving until he’s in front of me.

I squint my eyes at him. “To whose eyes?”

He smiles at me, this one far more natural and at ease. “ Everyone’s . You’re just blinded by a certain broody, possessive fae prince,” he declares with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I open my mouth to deny it when he gives me a pointed look that has me closing it just as quick making him chuckle.

He raises a brow. “So… what has you roaming around down here? Alone, I might add.”

Something that will save my life. But I can’t tell him that or anything else about the deal I’ve made.

“I can’t…” I shake my head at him and give him a look, hoping he understands.

“So the reason you’re at Túr Rí is to do with something you need to find,” he says, more of a statement than a question, as he nods to himself.

“Veles…” My eyes whip to him and his immediately soften.

“We know,” he says, and my eyes widen with hope. “Not what it is you can’t tell us, but that there is something that is stopping you.”

“You all know?” I ask.

He nods. “We’ve known since the moment you returned something is wrong. Asra saw the pain on your face when you tried to tell us. And Kestral…” He shakes his head. “Let’s just say the person who put it there already has a death warrant to their name.”

He frowns to himself. “It’s likely a geas and unfortunately that can only be broken by the one who placed it.”

He knows. They know that it’s a geas. A sliver of relief rushes through me.

“We can’t do anything about removing it, so instead we’re going to help you any way we can. Loopholes exist in everything. You may not be able to tell me anything, but that doesn’t mean I can’t assume and guess. I could immediately tell that your presence down here means you’re looking for something. You not being able to tell me anything just confirmed it.”

“Maybe I’m just looking for a quiet space away from everyone,” I reply while being secretly happy he found out.

“I have a feeling if you were looking for a place like that, it would be high on the top of some cliff with a beautiful view and not deep underground in a mountain.”

My chest warms at his accurate guess. “Maybe…”

Veles’ expression grows sad. I open my mouth to ask him what’s wrong when he tells me without asking.

“You remind me of someone I used to know,” he says, and a sad sort of smile slips across his face.

“Who?” I ask.

“My sister. She was around your age when the Fomorians attacked our village. I was out on a hunting trip with a group of fae.”

I have no clue what a Fomorian is, but the name alone elicits fear.

Seeing the heartbreak on his face, I feel it as if it were my own. “I’m so sorry, Veles.”

He shakes his head and his sad smile softens. “You’re family. Kestral is family. Asra and Cyra are family. And I won’t let anything happen to any of you,” he vows with a nod.

We grow silent and the thought of loopholes flashes across my mind. I can’t tell him, but maybe I can hint.

“Why did you make the deal with me?” I ask and give him a look. I feel the warning pulse of pain slash across my head but ignore it to see how far I can push.

“I’m half fae and shouldn’t be able to do what I can. Transforming only being one of them. Only full-blooded fae can achieve such a feat. Another reason is my abilities. I can tell a person’s true desires. It’s how I could tell what kind of person you are. I knew you would not abuse the deal I made with you.” His eyes don’t leave my face and the more he talks, the more the pain eases.

“What’s my desire?” I ask.

He looks at me for a moment, his frown deepening the longer he stares. “I can’t tell. Not with the geas. It’s blocking me from seeing it. But you used to want to just be free. To be surrounded by your loved ones. To live in a peaceful world that you can travel.”

I smile at that before attempting to give him a hint without causing myself more pain. Focusing on him, I give him a look that makes him pause. “Our deal doesn’t have an expiry, but I’m guessing others do?”

His eyes squint at me and I wince, hoping he understands what I can’t say. But he nods as if I’ve just told him the very thing he wanted to know.

“Smart girl,” he murmurs. “But unfortunately, whatever you’re looking for will have to wait for now.”

I frown. “Veles?”

He sighs. “From the looks of it, I can tell you haven’t heard the news. The first trial has been moved up once again. All chosen must meet early tomorrow morning.”