Page 235 of The Ascended
"I don't need a lesson in divine politics."
His jaw tightened. "Sometimes, mentors choose contestants fordifferentreasons. Strategic reasons. When they see potential leverage. A useful game piece."
"Spit it out, Aelix," Marx snapped.
"Strange things are happening in Voldaris," Aelix continued. "Allegiances forming that shouldn't exist. Specifically, between War and Order. And potentially others that we don't know about."
I forced out a sigh, even as my chest felt crushed beneath the weight of betrayal. "I'm aware. Your point?"
He glanced at Xül's still form. "Do you know what your brother has been doing?"
"Let me guess," I bit out. "Preparing for Trials designed to kill us both?"
"In Sundralis. With Olinthar."
My heart seized, but I kept my face carved from stone. I hadn't known that it had evolved so much. Not to this level.
But I'd die before I gave them the satisfaction of my surprise.
"If Olinthar gains Thatcher as an asset," Aelix said quietly, "the power balance in Voldaris will shift dangerously."
"And that justifies murdering him?" I pulled against the bonds, fresh fire racing up my arms. "Just to satisfy some balance you don't want disrupted? Gods, you're all fucking monsters. All you care about is power and who wields it. He's already the King of Gods. He's already the Lord of Voldaris. You all already answer to him."
"You don't understand. We cannot afford for Olinthar to get stronger than he already is."
"Why?" I demanded. "What aren't you telling me?"
Aelix exchanged another look with Xül, who had finally turned back to face us.
"Before I say anything else," Aelix said carefully, "I need to know what you know."
A spiteful laugh escaped me. "Absolutely not. I've had enough of your games. You don't get to keep holding all the cards."
"This isn't a game, Thais?—"
"Isn't it? The powerful playing with lives like pieces on a board?"I felt my power surge again, tasting death on my tongue as the bonds sizzled against my skin.
Xül finally stepped forward. "Thais?—"
"Don't." The single word held every ounce of venom I could muster. "Don't speak to me like we're still—like you didn't betray me."
Pain flashed in his eyes. Maybe it was even regret. I didn't care. Couldn't care.
"We can't have someone with Thatcher's abilities allied with Olinthar," Aelix pressed. "And that's where this is headed. Your brother will be loyal to Sundralis."
The laugh that erupted from me was wild, unhinged. These idiots. These fucking idiots.
"You think you understand what's happening?" I cocked my head to the side. "You think you know my brother? Know what he's doing?"
Aelix raised an eyebrow, waiting.
I shouldn't tell them. Every instinct screamed to keep our secrets buried. But Thatcher's life hung in the balance, and I was out of options.
"Thatcher isn't forming some alliance, you moron. He isn't being manipulated or converted or whatever paranoid fantasy you've concocted." My voice rose with each word.
"We have spies in Sundralis, Thais. You haven't seen what we have." Xül's voice cut through my tirade. He'd turned back to face us, and the fury in his eyes made my breath catch. "Or what he's done."
A chill crawled up my spine at his tone. "What are you talking about?"
