Page 16 of A Story of Sinners

“Solaris, great luminary god, we pray to you. Rise once again and vanquish the darkness that plagues our realm,” the priest proclaimed, bowing before the statue of the luminary god.

A small offering was placed before the marble statue, shaped into the image of a toned male sparsely clothed in flowing fabric. One foot lay braced before the other, and an arm was thrust to the sky. The other arm was pushed forward, bearing a small golden scale that hung from the palm of his hand. Molten gold wings, feathery and bright, had been cast along the back of his figure. The luminary god’s eyes were painted and hazed over with white. “We give you these offerings of jewels and crystals, and we pray for you to rise.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Gabriella’s voice sounded to my left, and I peeked around George to meet her eager stare. “On my island, it is said Solaris defeated the darkness of the mainland and locked it away, creating the Otherworld. It makes sense if you think about it.”

I’d always heard the shades and luminaries had been enemies. I smiled at her. “Is this your religion?”

Her dark brows pinched together as she thought. “There are many religions and gods in New Hazel. Solaris is just one of them. So, in a way, yes, but also, no.”

Aiden’s eyes cut in our direction. “Quiet. This is a place of worship, not gossip.”

Gabriella and I exchanged a look and returned to our pensive poses as the priest continued, begging the statue of a god long since gone for assistance.

Luminaries were rumored to be shade counterparts—the benevolent to their malevolent, the light to their dark. The old scriptures claimed one could not live without the other, that both light and dark forces must be present in a world lest it cease to exist. They were created as one, providing balance to a world filled with chaos.

But shades had walked the earth before, with nary a luminary in sight.

I studied the statue once more. It was truly the opposite of what a shade would be. Where a shade was darkness personified, the luminary god was everything light. His eyes were colorless and all seeing, whereas Malachi’s and mine morphed into a blacked-out void. In place of horns lay a golden circlet attached to its forehead.

Solaris was rumored to have lived in our world centuries ago, but the proof was lacking. There was no sign this god had ever existed, and it was very likely he was simply a myth, something to ease the minds of those terrified by the shades.

A savior who would never come.

Brandon elbowed me, breaking my trance. “It’s over, Dahlia.”

I’d been so entranced by the statue of Solaris, I’d failed to realize the temple had emptied out, and both George and Gabriella were already gone.

Aiden stood above me as I kneeled, a look of appreciation in his blue eyes.

My stomach churned.

“I’ll walk Dahlia back to her quarters, Brandon. Go ahead without us.”

Brandon’s eyes widened, and he threw his shoulder in front of me, as if trying to keep Aiden away. “I’ll have to keep watch over her. I might as well accompany her back to the palace.”

Aiden levelled Brandon with a suspicious glare, his eyes hardening. “No. Take today off and enjoy yourself. The summit is tomorrow, and Dahlia and I have much to discuss.”

Brandon’s gaze traced Aiden’s well-dressed form and landed on the crown at the top of his head, weighing his friend, his king, with a look of mistrust. “All right.” His gaze shifted to mine, wariness in his dark brown eyes. “I’ll check on you later.”

My brow wrinkled as Brandon retreated, each step more hesitant than the last, his back tense. It was as if he didn’t trust Aiden alone with me.

Neither did I.

Aiden held out his hand, an offering of peace I refused to take. Instead, I pushed myself from the ground. When he reached for my arm, I darted to the side, sliding my hands down my skirt as if straightening the material.

“I’m not going to hurt you. I was only offering assistance.”

My eyes narrowed. “I don’t need assistance.”

He raised his palms in the air. “There’s no need to get defensive. I’m offering you an olive branch, not trying to throw you in the dungeon.”

“Well, you already did that, didn’t you?” I snapped, my lips pursing.

Aiden’s jaw firmed as he circled around me. “I had good reason. Let’s go.”

Aiden stormed towards the entrance, and I hesitated before following. I didn’t know what he expected, but he and I would never get along, not ever again.

The sky was dark and filled with shadows, urging me to quicken my pace. An eerie feeling clawed through the air, and I nearly bolted to Aiden’s side. He was in no way a safety net, but the shadows hung just a few feet from my head, making the air feel stale and dangerous. Unbreathable. I couldn’t handle the reminder of what I’d wrought upon the world.

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