Page 66 of The Ascended
I needed to remember that, especially in moments like this when he almost seemed like a normal person. Was this glimpse of vulnerability real, or was he only being honest because he assumed I wouldn't live long enough to repeat anything he told me?
"Ask me again after you've survived your own Trials," was all he said.
And then we settled into silence.
Xül glanced toward the preparation with satisfaction. "Perfect. Ready for the final step."
We returned to the table, where the amber substance resembled crystallized honey. It was beautiful—and in part, I'd helped create it.
"What do we do with it now?"
"All we need is the binding agent." Xül moved to a nearby drawer, rummaging through its contents. "Apply it to a talisman—usually something small you can wear."
He returned with a silver coin and set it beside our creation. But in his other hand was a slender dagger, its blade catching the light.
I laughed. "What are you doing with that?"
"Only you can provide the binding." He leaned against the table, elbows braced on the surface as he extended the dagger toward me. "It's what will connect the ward to you."
A chill ran down my spine as understanding dawned.
Xül approached slowly. Without breaking eye contact, he reached for my hand, his fingers finding the edge of my leather glove. He peeled it off, his touch lingering against my skin as he replaced it with the dagger's handle.
"Two or three drops should suffice," he said softly.
I stared at him. "Of my blood?"
He blinked, expression utterly innocent. "Clearly. Why else would you need the dagger?"
I raised the blade. "You didn't mention blood when you explained the process earlier."
"I thought it was obvious."
I pricked my finger, watching a bead of crimson well up on my skin. Holding my hand over the amber mixture, I let the drops fall.
"Now stir," he instructed.
I did as he said, watching as the red streaks dissolved into the thick liquid.
"Coat the coin."
I dipped the silver into the glass, watching as it absorbed the substance. The moment the last drop soaked in, the talisman burst into brilliance—a golden hue that bathed the entire room in light.
"Holy gods," I breathed. "That's incredible."
When the glow finally faded, I looked up to find Xül staring at me with an expression I couldn't read. Not triumph. Not satisfaction. No, this was far more terrifying.
"So, tell me, starling," he said slowly, savoring each word like fine wine. "Which one of your parents is divine?"
Chapter 18
Checkmate
My hands wouldn't stop shaking.
I pressed them hard against my thighs, willing the trembling to cease as I stared at the damned coin. It gleamed with that otherworldly light, pulsing in time with the wild, panicked rhythm of my heart.
Xül's eyes locked onto the talisman like a shark scenting blood.
