Page 237 of The Ascended
The secret had been mine and Thatcher's alone, buried deep since the moment we'd made our vow. To speak it aloud now felt like betrayal—but wasn't silence the greater betrayal if it meant Thatcher's death? My mind raced. They already planned to kill him. What did I have to lose? And what might I gain if they understood that Thatcher wasn't their enemy? That he hated the same monster they feared?
It might be the only thing that could save him now.
I made my decision, and took a deep breath.
"When we were brought here—after the Proving, after Thatcher's abilities manifested—we made a pact."
Xül's eyes narrowed to slits. "What kind of pact?"
I didn't look at him. Couldn't. Instead, I focused on Aelix, on the growing confusion in his golden eyes.
"To kill Olinthar."
There it was. Our secret. Bared to the world.
Xül's knuckles cracked. "So, you do have a death wish," he growled. His posture stayed calm, but there was only rage in his eyes.
I ignored him.
"I don't understand," Aelix said finally. "Why would you?—"
"Because of what he did to us." The words came out raw, bleeding.
Understanding dawned in Marx's eyes. "Shit, Thais."
But Aelix still looked lost, glancing between Xül and me. "Can someone please explain what everyone seems to know except me?"
My eyes snapped to Xül, letting every ounce of contempt show. "I'm surprised you kept that a secret. Or did it not come up during all your plotting?"
"Thais," Xül warned, but I was beyond warnings.
"Olinthar raped our mother. He's our father."
Aelix went utterly still.
His gaze crawled to Xül. "You knew this?"
Xül's silence was answer enough.
"Does your father know?"
More silence.
"I'm assuming that's a no." Aelix dragged both hands through his hair. "We need to tell the others?—"
"Others?" Marx cut in.
Aelix and Xül exchanged a look.
"Marx," Aelix said slowly, "what I'm about to tell you... if you repeat this to anyone, we're all dead. Do you understand? Not imprisoned. Not punished. Dead."
Marx's face paled, but she nodded.
Aelix took a deep breath. "There are some in Voldaris who have grown tired of Olinthar's tyranny. Tired enough to act. Those who wish for change."
My heart stopped. "Who?"
"Morthus. And he is backed by Vorinar and Syrena. Including their followers.”
