Page 134 of Between Soul and Vessel
All of thiswas a bloody mess.
In truth, I didn’t see why this sacrifice was necessary anymore, but people had a hard time breaking with millennia-old traditions. And because of it—I spared one more glance at the horned goat—the innocent suffered.
The irony of it all was that half of the time the empress didn’t even show up for the sacrificial ceremony, and some poor animal had to needlessly die because of it.
I relaxed my clenched jaw, remembering I had hundreds of eyes on me and then began to chant in an ancient tongue. The bottom of my pristine white robes swept along the ground as I walked up to the foot of the dais that housed the empress’s mighty, empty throne.
Knees bending, I lowered onto them, the fabric of my ceremonial garb bunching stiffly under my knees, digging into my skin where the fabric had folded over.
I paid it little mind—the goat had suffered far worse.
Continuing to chant, I lowered the organ muscle into the bronze bowl sitting on the ground before me. The heart made the softest of plunks as it fell inside. I waved my hand over it as if I were stirring a pot. The bowl began to twirl, guided by the breath of my wind.
The monstrous doors groaned as they opened behind me. That was odd. No one was allowed in once the ceremony started.
My tongue stilled, and I glanced over my shoulder, my gaze falling right on the empress as she stampeded toward me.
My mind flared with panic.
Shit.
Did she know Shadow and I were planning to leave tomorrow?
No, howcouldshe know?
We had toldno one.
We’d been careful.
. . .Hadn’t we?
I got to my feet, my bloody fingers itching to reach for the rabbit’s foot, my legs ready to run, muscles on blaring alert. I’d toss myself out of the window if I had to—there was no way I was going to become Victor’s vessel-growing factory. I’d rather die.
As she approached, I steeled my spine, readying for the worst.
“Get out of my way,” she snarled with mirth, her manicured hand grabbing hold of my shoulder and shoving me to the side. I stumbled, but I didn’t fall.
Swiftly, I turned to face her, watching as she grew to her giant size, strode up the stairs, and seated herself in her massive, imposing throne.
Realizing my paranoia had gotten the better of me, I quickly dropped into a bow, just like everyone else in the room. I’d made a fool out of myself, and I’d let the invisible mask slip. I was damned lucky that the empress had something else on her mind and hadn’t seemed to notice.
“Everyone rise,” she commanded. As we all did, she said to the guards standing near the door, “Tell them to come in.”
The guards nodded and stepped out.
Seconds later, they returned with three soldiers fromthe empress’s imperial army. They looked weary and battle-worn. I recognized the one—a general by the name of Areon. She had been present during the meeting that took place a few days ago, when news first came to us that the Goddess of Life might have been spotted, flying with another female on the back of a gryphon. Upon hearing the news, the empress had dispatched some of her forces, tasking them to retrieve her.
My heart fell into my stomach—had they been successful?
And if so, where were they keeping her?
“Speak, General. Tell themallwhat you and your soldiers have witnessed,” the empress commanded, her voice absolute.
Witnessed?Confusion tempted my brow, but I did not lower it. I would not let my invisible mask slip for a second time today.
General Areon stepped forward, her helmet tucked underneath her arm. “In all my years, I have never seen such power,” she started, turning toward the crowd. “A short few days ago, we were tasked to retrieve the white-haired traitor, the female who escaped her fate in the arena.”
Hushed whispers scattered across the room.
