Page 97 of Gift from the Source
Judging by her comment about ‘the mortal saying’ there’s no doubt the beings of the Valorian Veil have ventured into the nonmagical realm and made a name for themselves.
Every description of an angel or otherworldly being I ever heard, depicted them as the most stunning or beautiful beings ever seen. Even though her room is dimly lit, much like my own, and most of her face is cloaked with a covering, she still gives off a radiance that tells me why that is.
I assume it’s moonlight or the glow of the stars casting a small flicker of light around her. Gaster said their Eye of the Veil had a dome, which gives her or maybe another person closer access to the stars.
“It still fascinates me how I saw this moment what feels like a lifetime ago, and now it’s here. I suppose time moves faster when you’re managing many things,” she says, breaking both of us out of our gawking.
“I’m glad one of us was given a warning. I suppose that’s just the way timing works. Not to mention war seems to speed everything along. No matter what realm you’re in.”
My words give her pause and we stare into each other’s eyes. There’s a shared understanding passing between the two of us. We’re both beings who get to see things others don’t.
For the time being, we’re going to share what we know.
It’s just like when I met Tanith and Aria. A feeling of openness sweeps over me and it’s clear I can speak freely for now.
“Indeed, it may. That’s why we’re here today. The time is soon going to slip away and if we don’t act fast, there will be nothing but destruction.”
“What do you need from me? Or do I need something from you?” I ask.
“You have something that belongs to the Valorian Veil. I need you to come here and return it.”
My heart pounds for a split second when my first thought goes to the crystal at my back. Obviously I became possessive over it the minute I heard my mom brought it here, but then how foolish that sounds brings clarity to my mind.
“The Gods Binding.”
“Yes. The pieces of it you have.”
“The pieces I have? They aren’t singular objects? And there’s more of them in your realm?” My voice rises with my questions, which seems to take her aback as her eyes widen in horror. “I didn’t mean to offend you, but it’s killing my people, so try to understand my outrage.”
“Killing…No, it shouldn’t be doing that. How are you wielding it?” she asks in a whisper.
“How am I? I’m not wielding it at all. It’s being used to steal gifts from those blessed with them and given to nonmagical beings. If the receiver doesn’t survive the transfer of power, the monster wielding it keeps the gift for himself.”
“No, impossible. That shouldn’t be happening.”
She says the words almost to herself, not in disagreement with me. She just can’t fathom it.
“Unfortunately, it is. He’s called the Summum-Master and he’s gathered countless gifts by now. I honestly couldn’t even begin to tell you howmany or what all he can do. I only have one of the two he possessed. He still has the other.”
“This isn’t at all what I saw coming. Something has happened to change the course. I saw you…” she trails off, standing to pace the circle.
“What did you see?”
There’s a pause in her brisk pace as she stares above her, and she calms her breathing. Then with a sigh and a shake of her head, she starts talking and walking once again.
“You were here. In the middle of our war. You came through the portal with an army. You weren’t attacking the realm, though. You chose a side. If you hadn’t had, the whole Veil would’ve fallen. You wielded the Gods Binding and bound a power too dark to speak of,” she says in a flurry of flustered words.
“That makes no sense. I would never—” I cut my words abruptly as reality hits me in the face.
I would’ve gone to the Valorian Veil and joined a war to prevent one from coming here…
If the Summum-Master had used my blood supply to get the portal open, I would’ve followed him to stop him from returning with the Gods’ stolen power.
Shit. I changed her path. Or course. Same thing, whatever she calls it.
“When did you see this vision and when it is supposed to happen?” I ask.
“Many years ago. And soon. Very, very soon.”
