Page 196 of The Ascended
“He didn’t deserve to die like that,” I murmured.
“No,” Marx agreed. “He was an annoying little shit but useful when it mattered.”
“We’re alive because of him, in some way or another.”
“Don’t get all sentimental on me, now.” Marx huffed. “It’s too early in the morning for all that.”
“I can’t help but feel that something strange is happening,” I let the admission slip out. “Beyond the Trials. Like something else is happening in the background.”
“Well, it doesn’t take a scholar to see that.”
I thought about Lyralei's warnings, about all the strange occurrences since I'd arrived at Draknavor.
There were things I still couldn’t tell her. Things that weren’t my secrets, but Xüls, And for some reason, that made them worth keeping.
"And then there’s the other thing," Marx continued, lowering her voice further. "The Kavik of it all."
"I still don’t know what that was. Has Aelix said anything to you about it?"
She glanced around, then leaned closer. "Clearly someone orsomething was controlling him. Aelix has been investigating, trying to figure out who could have that kind of power over a Legend."
“It would have to be one of the Twelve.”
"Perhaps." She rubbed her arms as if suddenly cold. "Whatever it was, it was powerful enough to completely override his will."
"But why me?" I asked. "What threat could I possibly pose?"
Marx raised an eyebrow. "You're joking, right? Thais, your power is insane. And then there's the matter of your blood..."
I tensed. We'd skirted this topic before.
"Right," I acknowledged quietly.
Marx leaned closer. "Whoever was controlling Kavik must know what you are. And they're afraid of it."
“It has to be Olinthar, then.” I said slowly, eyeing her to make sure she understood the implications of what I was saying. I trusted Marx and no longer wanted to hide things from her.
Marx stilled, eyes going wide. “Light and order. Starlight.” She sighed, leaning back against the stone wall. “Well shit. It makes sense. I just never really thought about it, I guess.”
“He’s the one who has something to lose if the others discover who Thatcher and I really are,” I whispered, leaning in close. “He wants Thatcher alive, and he wants me dead.”
“Why do you think he wants Thatcher alive?” She questioned.
Shit.
“Another secret I’ll ask you to keep.”
“I’ve got quite the collection at this point. What’s another going to do?” She clicked her tongue.
“Thatcher’s powers haven’t been seen since the Primordials. He’s essentially the second coming of one called Vivros.”
Marx looked around, processing. After a moment, she finally spoke. “But why do you think that means Olinthar wants to keep him alive?”
“Chavore picked him even though his domain didn’t suit Thatcher at all. And how many times do you think Olinthar hasstepped into the Trials and negotiated on behalf of a contestant's life?”
Marx cocked her chin. “Fair point.” She leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “But he saved both of you.”
“He didn’t save me. He just couldn’t get to Thatcher without dragging me along.”
