Page 241 of The Gods Veiling
The condescending tone that his voice usually carries is absent. I caught the slightest bit of tremble in it, actually.
The guys all react the same.
They’ve fallen statue-still. Their powers caress my skin, and I suck in a deep breath from the incredible sensation of it all at one time. Yet, my body shivers as a cold breeze blows through the house.
None of them reply when the High Chancellor shuts the door himself.
My head swivels to each of them, but they’re literally frozen in their places.
“Guys…” None of them even flinch and my heart skips a beat.
Did the High Chancellor or whoever is out there do something to them?
I remove my fingers from Kyzen’s death grip and turn to touch Riven’s arm. He doesn’t budge. Neither does Amick nor Creed when I lay my hands on their backs.
What the fuck is happening?
My feet trip over themselves as I ease myself away from them. The wobbling in my knees makes it hard to stay standing from the pressure of their power building around us.
My mind whirls on what to do. None of them respond to me calling their names nor do they even seem to see what’s happening around them.
Panic grips me as the last thing the High Chancellor said rings in my ear. As wavering as his voice was, that was a clear threat.
We have no choice but to come out there.
And my Valtrue is obviously facing some internal turmoil.
I suck in as much air as I possibly can and release it slowly. My breath fans through my lips at the same time as I stroke my soul. Just as I had done in the tunnel to Creed, I coax it gently even though now I know I won’t do any harm.
I don’t want to startle them and get knocked the hell out with their powers or worse, cause the souls inside of them to retaliate against me instinctively.
A flutter races across my chest as someone responds and their bodies bristle. They each spin on their heels faster than the blink of an eye.
I’m not even sure I saw them move.
My breathing grows erratic as it speeds up to match the tempo of theirs. Their hands shake by their sides and their eyes are piercing as they fall on me.
“Guys—”
“They’ve more than likely surrounded the house. We need an escape route for her,” Kyzen says.
“If the High Chancellor said to gather her, he already knows about her.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Riven, call for Derivius.”
“Already on it.”
“Kyzen, we don’t have a choice. If she runs, he’ll make it a game. You know this.” Creed’s low voice silences the others and my fretful gaze bounces between them.
“What’s happening right now?”
“Thayla,” Creed says.
I don’t know if it’s a reprimand, warning, or apology.
“Why would your father request a meeting? I didn’t even know he was still alive. I kind of chalked him up to being dead. Why would the High Chancellor come and get you for this? Why—”
“There’s something we need to be honest with you about, little goddess.”
