Page 79 of The Gods Veiling
“I’m quiet on my feet,” she says, but her cheeks blush a pink that doesn’t say embarrassed but lie. I decide not to pry.
“So is there…”Do I really want to ask this? I do.“Is there anything you can warn me about them?”
She whistles low and gives me an apologetic smile. “They’re a brutal bunch. From what I’ve witnessed, they’re easier to handle individually. Mostly. They were the strongest group here even without being a completed Valtrue. I don’t know their whole story and I’d never dare ask, but they were left here as teenagers. The name everyone calls them…”
I can summarize that’s where it came from.
“You said individually they’re easier to handle. What do you mean?”
“Right. Mind you, this is all from me observing them. Today was the first day I’ve ever had to be in such close quarters with them. I watch from a distance. Amick is a Rising Chancellor, so he spends a lot of time in the Athenaeum. He seems easier to approach in there if you’re asking relevant questions. He doesn’t seem like a personable person, but not necessarily a mean one either. Kyzen is a Mediator. If there’re problems or disputes, they call him in. He seems the nicest.”
That makes complete sense and explains everything I’ve seen from both of them so far.
“Riven is a wild card. He’s petrifying and confusing honestly. I’m not sure what he does, and I stay away from him. I’ve watched him just lay gods out, laugh about it, then help them up, and pat them on the head. And Creed…yeah, he’s just scary. Plain and simple. He spends most of his time in the Gods Court. He doesn’t speak to pretty much anyone but his brothers or the Defenders. Riven rumors that they’re quadruplets because they’re all the same age, but I heard that isn’t true. I don’t know for sure, but they’re definitely brothers.”
Quadruplets…Gods, their poor mother. If that’s the case.
Couldn’t be me. Absolutely not.
“They’re not happy about this Pairing at all.”
“Yeah, I got that from the shouting.”
“Is there anything else you got from the shouting that I should know about?”
“No, it was basically Riven screaming at the Chancellors, them yelling back. Your whole Valtrue demanded you all go back into the Veil and the High Chancellor denied that, then read them your Deliverance. I also heard it, by the way…”
I sigh. “Yeah, it didn’t give us much, but the High Chancellor sure did a good job making me seem awful. What about their powers?”
She hesitates long enough to tell me she doesn’t want to answer. “What I know about their powers is only speculation. I’m liable to scare you more than inform you and piss them all the way off by telling you something that’s not true. I know you’re searching for answers to help you accept this. I totally get it, I’d be the same way, but I think that’s a question you need to ask them to get to know them and form your own judgment.”
I get her sound reasoning. I just don’t like it. “Ugh, I guess so. Anything else you can or feel comfortable sharing?”
“No. You’ll learn as you go based on what’s bound and what’s not…Oh, I didn’t think this really mattered, but now that you’ve told me why you’re here, this is probably important to you.”
Chill bumps break out across my skin. Her tone is laced with dread, and it sinks into my stomach. “What?”
“Mellcom and Jeremiah are in a Valtrue together. I’ve never seen this before, but two kinda phenomena happened. One, them being paired together. It’s almost unheard of to be from the same region, same Veiling cycle, and apparently close, then match. Two, they were paired with Gladian, a Domain God. He’stheGod of Strength. Awful man. He’s so vicious. The other two are almost fully powered. Well, actually, they may be now after this. Chasin, his domain is under the God of Endurance, and Mara, hers is under well…Gladian himself. She’s ruthless, to put it bluntly.”
My hands immediately begin to shake. It petrifies me knowing it wasn’t Derivius who orchestrated this. When I first believed it was him, I was hurt andmad. Now it’s terrifying knowing a mystery god that I know nothing about is pulling strings not only with my life but obviously Mellcom’s.
My voice trembles despite me trying to stay calm. “What about their domains?”
Her frown deepens. “Both have a domain under the God of Pain.”
I stop walking and put my hands on my hips while I breathe. My eyes fall closed as I pull the panic back in. My mind goes straight to the worst of the worst.
How can they use that against me? If I don’t speak to them, will they force me to with their power? What about training? Will I have to face off with them again while they have this astronomical upper hand now? How can I avoid them?
“You okay?”
“No. Not really. Things were really bad between the three of us when we left Oddian. I’ve been the biggest bitch to them because of their betrayal. Mellcom more than Jeremiah has tried to talk about it with me, but I don’t want to hear it. Them having powers, and it’s in a domain of pain, will not bode well for me if I piss them off.”
Some more context to my life prior to coming here would probably fill in the blanks for her and she wouldn’t look so confused. I don’t have it in me to do that right now, though. I’m ready to call it a day. It’s bad news after worse news and I’m at my limit.
Thankfully, my somber face must speak to her because she doesn’t push. It’s only a few more minutes before we break out of the tree line and the houses come into view.
Instead of relief, my shoulders slump with defeat.
