Page 165 of The Gods Veiling
“She’s taken very well to learning the history, the purpose of the Designations, the different gods and their domains, but I should’ve been working hands on with her through the transition of sensing and commanding her power. I’ve switched up her study methods plenty so she doesn’t grow bored with the routine. I’ll begin implementing this version tomorrow.”
Our jaws drop. He’s never one to admit he’s done something wrong. Which, typically, he never does wrong.
Banging on the front door disrupts the shock that holds us all still. The noise thunders through the house and my body heats.
“Who the fuck is trying to knock our door down?” Riven asks, but I’m already heading to find out.
There are only a handful who would dare.
My eyes narrow as I come face-to-face with Gladian. His stalking-ass Valtrue is right behind him, and I sneer at the God of Strength for his disrespect. After Amick told us about the stunt they pulled in the Athenaeum with Thayla’s smart-ass little friend, I made it clear he keep his new Valtrue members the fuck away from her and my house.
“Don’t give me that look. Get your things and get to the Court. All of you. Duty calls from the other side.”
Fuck, this can’t be happening already.
“Be there in a minute.” My blood begins to boil beneath my skin, and I go to shut the door, but his hand grips the wood, stopping it from slamming.
“That includes your Binder. We need all the bodies we can tonight.”
I don’t fucking think so.
“Absolutely not. You know her powers haven’t completely settled. She’ll be more of a distraction than help.”
“She can hold her own,” Mellcom declares as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“You don’t fucking—”
“Enough. My men are going, and their powers haven’t settled completely either. I’m only leaving a few behind tonight. So there’s no excuse for her. Get to the fucking Court. I’ve already sent word to the meadows for those who can’t starshoot. You’ll be traveling with them while I man the other Defenders.”
With that, he slams my fucking door for me, and I ball my fist. If he was referring to the newerDefendersas the ones he’s leaving behind, then there are only three who can’t starshoot.
Thayla, Mellcom, and Jeremiah.
Gods damn it.
I don’t understand why their powers haven’t settled.
“Who was—”
“Go get ready. Trouble in the Abandon,” I bark at Kyzen.
“Thayla?” he asks.
“Has to go.”
I don’t glance at any of them as I stomp down her hallway. They’ll be ready in less than a minute, but I got to get her moving.
My fist pounds on her door. “Thayla.”
Nothing.
“Thayla, open the fucking—”
“What is your problem?” She slings her door open and perches her hand on her hip.
I storm past her, only giving myself a second to map every surface of her room. It matches her soul.
Blissful.
