Page 104 of The Gods Veiling
“Yesterday while I was planting their surprises. And pissed, pissed. Something about their watch times have been extended, fewer rotations, and the Chancellors aren’t doing enough.”
“Damn it, Riven. Why didn’t you tell me this yesterday?”
I stomp in the direction of the path toward the temples. I was supposed to meet the Chancellors who are attending this meeting there after their morning prayer.
And fuck me, we’re late.
They’re already standing here, waiting on me, and I tilt my head as I march up to them. I refuse to full-on bow like most do, but I show enough respect not to hear their mouths.
“It would seem gaining a Binder has thrown off your punctuality, Kyzen,” the High Chancellor states the second Riven joins at my side.
“Not at all. We just wanted to make sure we showed her off with Amick and Creed properly. Are we ready to go?”
“Yes. Your brother has filled you in on the Obliraguards grievances, I assume?”
“He has. Do you have your own you’d like to express before we get there?” I ask.
“No. I expect that you know what is inourbest interest.”
Riven makes a gagging noise as the High Chancellor grips his robe and twirls around. Basically, dismissing us although we’re going to the same damn place. I hold my smirk in place even though on the inside, I’m pissed.
The Chancellors, most of them, have this superiority complex that makes them believe everything they say and do is right. While I know, if what Riven said is true about the Obliraguards’ grievances, then the Chancellors are in the wrong.
Time to find out.
We starshoot clear across Godsden in a matter of seconds and appear in the area I’m least fond of. None of the residents of our region want to live this close to the barrier. For good reason.
What’s kept out—or at least what we’ve attempted to keep out—has decimated the surrounding space each time they break through the other side. We’ve been keeping the rift from the other side at bay for longer than I’ve been alive.
It gets harder to do that with each passing year.
I’m well aware of the barrier that lines Thayla’s home region, but I have no clue if it’s like ours. This barrier was created by the God of Boundaries before he disappeared. He placed it and fortified it, but each passing year, it gets easier for those on the other side to pass through if we don’t stop them before.
“Kyzen.” Brock, the guard leader, stretches his hand out for me to shake. He pinches his lips as my power flows from me with a mere thought.
A bubble surrounds him, Riven, the Chancellors, and me as moments from now begin to play out.
I hold on to him as time around us speeds forward, but everything moves in eerie silence. That’s the unfortunate downside of not having all my power released.
Sound.
I’m only able to watch a few moments in time of what may happen.
I observe intently and attempt to read both Brock’s and the High Chancellor’s lips as they shape words. As the conversations unfold, their bodies begin reacting to the emotions they’re feeling.
Brock’s face turns red as his fist balls at his side, then he flings his arm out with his finger pointed toward the barrier. The High Chancellor has his hands laced in front of him, as do the others behind him. They all seem bored with whatever fury is coming out of Brock’s mouth.
Even my own mouth begins to move, but I can’t control it or hear it. I sense the irritation in myself, though, and it’s proven to be the case when the High Chancellor narrows his eyes at me.
His mouth clearly states a firm no. It’s easy enough for me to read.
With that declaration, Brock throws his hands in the air and stomps toward the barrier before I can stop him.
Well, this is going to be fan-fucking-tastic.
I have to set this up to where it goes smoothly from the start. More than likely, I’m going to have to kiss the High Chancellor’s ass, which is always such a treat.
I exhale slowly and time stills. The brief pause doesn’t last long enough to even notice before it all rewinds. My power recedes the moment time reaches the exact instant Brock first gave me a nod.
