Page 50 of The Blood of Gods and Monsters

Abeyance Wellbriar

Malachi Ortison

I scan the names that appear on the first page, stopping only on the last one as I recognize it. It’s the only one without a line crossed through it. I know none of the other names, but from them, I don’t think they sound like any mortal name I would know. Instead, they sound like … the names of someone with status. Names of Mortal Gods. With the final name, too, still sitting there on the front page like a beacon, my mind rolls over the list with confusion.

Frowning, I flip the book closed once more, staring at the title. “To Those Who Have Been Stolen…” What does that mean?

The only person I could ask who might have some idea is Caedmon. I grit my teeth and shake my head, turning and shoving the book into my sack before hefting it over my shoulder and stomping to the door. I’ll ask him when I’m forced to be in his presence again, but until then, I will simply remain silent.

Whatever the book is trying to tell me, it all leads back to him anyway. I don’t know what to ask the book to get the answers I need, the truth that Caedmon won’t give me.

I leave behind my old Terra room and return to the Darkhaven chambers. After all, where else am I supposed to go?

My stomach rumbles with hunger as I approach the door and when I open it and step inside, I’m greeted by two familiar faces. Ruen and Theos are standing in the middle of the room, dressed for the day. They both stop talking the second I enter. Ruen’s midnight eyes fall to the strap of the satchel over my shoulder.

“You went back to your room,” he states.

I don’t acknowledge him and instead, stride across the room to his reading table. Once there, I unload my burden and drop it into his seat before cracking my neck to one side and then the other.

“We’re about to leave for breakfast before we head to our classes,” Theos speaks up, drawing my attention. “Would you like to come with us?”

I face the two of them, ignoring Ruen’s disapproving glare as I reply. “I didn’t know you deigned to eat with the rest of the Mortal Gods.” For the most part, when I was their Terra they’d either skipped meals or ordered me or one of the numerous kitchen Terra to deliver their food to the North Tower.

Theos flashes me a smirk. “We go with the masses on occasion,” he says with a shake of his head. “Are you coming or not?”

“She is,” Ruen snaps before I get a chance to answer.

My eyes jerk to his. “She,” I hiss out, “can speak for herself.” Though I know I wasn’t using my full strength during our sparring match, the fact that he won still burns through me with violent annoyance. I hadn’t been trying—not really. It wasn’t like I could reveal my training right there for all to see.

Ruen arches a brow at my tone but doesn’t say anything. It’s Theos who darts a look between us before leaving his brother and moving across the room in my direction. As he gets closer, though, and notices my attire, he pauses and glances me up and down.

“You’re not wearing that, are you?” he demands.

I shrug. “I don’t have anything else.”

The scoff he releases is followed by a shake of his head as he turns and disappears through the doorway that leads into his bedroom. A moment passes and I say nothing. Not even when Ruen drags a hand up his face and through the dark strands of his hair, mussing them. I’m not going to ask what his problem is.

Theos returns quickly with fabric tucked over one arm. He approaches me and hands over what looks like a new tunic and a pair of trousers. I take them but eye the pants. “Will these fit me?” I ask, arching a brow.

He snorts. “Yes,” he says.

“Where, may I ask, are you getting clothes for me?” I peer at him curiously. “And why don’t I know where you all are keeping these?” I lift the clothes now in my hands.

“There are clothes for you in each of our rooms—well, save for Kalix, I suppose.” Theos frowns at that and glances up. “Have you seen him this morning?”

I stiffen. “No,” I say quickly—too quickly if Ruen’s sharp look is anything to go by. I ignore it as I turn and head towards his room. “I’ll get changed and be right back,” I toss over my shoulder as I enter Ruen’s bedroom and slam the door shut behind me.

Heart pounding, I repress the heat spearing through my face as I quickly strip out of the dress and pull on the trousers—sans underwear since none was provided. Thankfully, the dress had an under corset that could be separated and I leave it on as I don the tunic as well, tucking it into the waistband that molds perfectly to my hips.

Taking a moment to stride to Ruen’s wash basin, I splash some water onto my face before patting the skin dry. I peer into his mirror and am relieved to find that all hints of crusted blood are now gone.

When I return to the main room, I think I’ve calmed my face enough to deceive Theos and Ruen. While Theos merely offers me a smile at my new attire and gestures me towards the door, Ruen hangs back, eyeing me with an analytical interest. Theos is easier to fool than Ruen and I hate that about the eldest Darkhaven.

Ruen Darkhaven sees past my flesh into all the things I want to keep in the dark.

The smile he gives me when I glance back at him over my shoulder is full of teeth.

Maybe he’s not Kalix, but he unsettles me in a different way, and he knows it.

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