Page 27 of A Deception of Courts

“All in good time,” Gabrial said, her smile so genuine it almost stole my breath. “I’m memory of His word. My purpose, as the Creator’s script, is to remember what was and is. History of all born in his image is remembered on my skin. Answers and memories that even you, Robin, have forgotten. Ah, see here when you were shy of your fourth year, and you fell from the tree and snapped your ankle. Your pain is remembered. As is the memory of when you woke to two intruders in your home who took you and sold you to the Hunters. I see, as the Creator does, everything. That is my burden.”

My cheeks burned with the thought of the young girl seeing my past. What secrets and stories she could uncover with such a gift.

“We are all burdened,” Rafaela added, walking back to her seat. “Given gifts which have a purpose in His name. Just as you, Althea Cedarfall and Robin Icethorn, have a purpose for the fey. Children of Altar–”

“It would seem you have a way of diverting the conversation swiftly away from the keys,” I said, shaking off the confusion Gabrial’s revelation had cursed me with. “I think we should focus on that.”

“For good reasons,” Cassial said, casting his silver eyes across the three of us.

“Robin is right. If you are unwilling to answer our questions, why call on our council in the first place?” Althea asked, tone suggesting her annoyance of the dance.

Unless they were keeping the knowledge from us because they didn’t trust us with it?

“The human who waits on your ship,” Rafaela said. “His story should have ended, yet still his lungs are filled with life. His heart beats, but not by the will of the Creator.”

“Duncan.” My body hardened in my seat, skin turning to cold stone. It was undeniable that the Nephilim shared an unspoken interest in Duncan, for they each glanced at one another.

“Duncan Rackley,” Gabrial confirmed his name. “He should be dead, but he is not. We would like to know why.”

“Can’t you glean that information, Script of the Creator?” Seraphine spat, leaning back in her chair. It was a miracle she didn’t prop her feet up on the table.

“His story ends with his death,” Gabrial replied, unbothered by Seraphine’s sarcasm. “I cannot see beyond it.”

“Well, you can thank Aldrick for that,” Seraphine added.

“And what are we thanking him for exactly?” Cassial asked, deep voice a rumbling groan.

“He is–”

“Again, we have danced away from the only topic that matters. And that is the keys.” My mind wanted nothing more than to keep Duncan away from the line of focus. Whereas I could control what I said, my magic loosened at the mention of the man I’d do anything to protect. I felt the flow of cold air seep out of my mouth as I spoke. Rafaela looked at me and my display of power. A single brow lifted as she did so.

The concept of the Nephilim asking after Duncan did more than simply unnerve me. I felt a shiver of disgust at the idea of him filling their interest. Defensive jealousy was so intrusive that I lost control of the frozen power that twisted deep within me.

“We mean him no harm,” Rafaela said.

“I wish to believe you, but you see I’m rather protective of what belongs to me.”

“Understandable, considering all that you have been through. However, perhaps I can prove that we are no threat.” Gabrial reached out a hand across the table. Ink swirled across her palm. “Let me show you.”

I studied her palm, mesmerised by the words shifting just beneath her skin.

Her fingers curled, beckoning me to take them. Gabrial must have sensed my hesitation as she saw my hands grip onto my thighs in defiance. “The human side of you allows me to share the word with you. Please, if this does not help you to trust us, at least you can see that we do not lie.”

I gritted my teeth. My jaw ached as I reached out for her hand. “I’m sure you don’t need warning that if you do anything to harm me, I could shatter your hand with a single thought.”

She sighed, her smile never wavering. “Not everyone is out to harm you, Robin Icethorn.”

“We will see.” I stared deep into her azure eyes as my fingers brushed her palm.

On impact, the world faded.

My mind was filled with images. I saw a young boy with obsidian hair throwing himself into the arms of a man. My father. Before my heart crumpled with pain, the image shifted like ink in water.

I saw… stones. Four black pillars formed around a symbol etched into the ground. This new vision felt different. I sensed power there. The image moved quickly, but I recognised the symbol of the Creator. It was scored on the ground between the four stone pillars. Except it was upside down. The northern arrow upon the wheel pointed south. Down.

The ground shifted beneath me. I felt myself fall sideways into the next vision before I could make sense of the first.

Out of the shadows, a balcony formed. Upon it, two men stood. One was small and the other was tall. The vision grew more defined until I recognised the steel-silver eyes and close-cut hair. As I recognised what I was being shown, I wished to pinch my eyes closed. To block out what was unfolding before me. As though sensing my wishes, the shadows exploded once again… but not before I heard two words spoken by the taller man.

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