Page 119 of The Sins of Silas

Everyone's face paled from Dani's question.

“It'sthe only thing that can stop him,” I whispered. “Magic to stop all magic.”

Silas bared his teeth. “Someone explain. Now.”

So, I did. I told him of the animal symbolism in the Otacian crest, of Igon's compass, and of the necromancer's mark.

“If this is real, why would these new Gods be depicted on the Otacian crest? What is the purpose?” Silas prodded. “Why isn’t a spider a part of the design?”

“When did the crest get created?” Dani asked.

Silas turned to her. “When the kingdom was founded. Centuries ago.”

“Only through fire can the phoenix be reborn from the ashes…” Merrick spoke slowly, reciting Igon's words. “You think…you think Igon wishes you to raise this God of Rebirth?”

I ran my hands through my hair, letting out a dry laugh. “Fuck if I know. Where would I even find him? And what of the other two?”

The pelican symbolizing Igon was an idea out the door now. But still, the pelican being engraved on the compass could not be a coincidence.

“Wouldn't someone know if they're a God already?” Hendry asked, entirely skeptical of this idea. “Wouldn't you be able to tell?”

“No one knows what any of the Gods look like,” Elowen responded, her aqua eyes narrowed. “Besides, with the power they possess, I'm sure they could disguise themselves as one of us.”

Dani chewed at her nails, pacing in circles before coming to a stop, her hand falling to her side. “Maybe the Warlocks of Daranois have some answers.”

I whipped my head to her. “You know where there are more Warlocks?”

“I'm not certain they're there. A coven used to reside there centuries ago. In the caverns.” Her eyes slid to the Prince. “Ever since Otacia gained control of Daranois, my people have stayed away. But a powerful Warlock from Daranois wrotePotestas Verae Maleficis.If anyone has any further knowledge, it would be them.”

Daranois was one of Otacia's first conquered kingdoms. It would be hard to believe any remained, but then again, the fact that Warlocks ruled Forsmont would've seemed improbable a few months ago.

Maybe they still resided there.

“We have to continue to Faltrun,” Silas insisted, “and to wherever Lena is being led.” He studied me. “Do you think Igon knew of the Gods' identities?”

I shook my head slowly, then shrugged in defeat. “I…I don't know. Seers cannot give up all their information without the potential of altering the future.” I flitted my eyes to the sky, picturing our Supreme looking down on us. “If he did, he wouldn't have been able to tell.”

Edmund ran a comforting hand down Elowen's trembling arm. “By infiltrating the minds of those he overtakes, does the necromancer have the ability to get into their memories? Would he have been able to see what Igon saw?”

“If he has seen everything Igon has, we'd be fucked already. Igon clearly had an idea where this Weapon was located.” I took a steadying breath. “I think the Lord of the Shadows is simply a host—a parasite.”

“For all we know,” Hendry continued, “this necromancer could be serving this God of Deceit. It doesn't necessarily mean he is him.”

“We can only hope.” I turned to Dani. “What sin did death—did Valor do that resulted in four new Gods?”

She shrugged. “It has always been a mystery. And the biggest folklore. I mean, this was prophesized hundreds of years ago. I never thought too much about it before.”

Merrick placed a hand on my shoulder, sensing my unease. “We can go over ideas as we walk, but Silas is right. We need to keep moving. If the necromancer truly is a God, we need an army now more than ever.”

I went over theories in my head for the rest of the day, but I couldn't come up with any ideas on the identity of not only The God of Deceit but the other three Gods that supposedly had been created.

I was fascinated by all I learned. Apparently, the Gods once roamed our planet before Valor’s sin caused a punishment, forcing them back into their own realms by Azrae.

Another unclear message was written.

DEATH AND LIFE. EVERYTHING MUST BALANCE.

Ravaiana was forced back to Elysium, and Valor went to the Underworld, otherwise known in this text as Elytial. Celluna, Tithara, and Azrae's realms were not listed.

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