Chapter 9 #3
“I found out that demonic abilities are inherited genetically,” I began, doubting Airis would even answer me but continuing anyway. “If a mage’s parents had opposing abilities, could their child inherit both?”
“Highly unlikely. For that to happen, both parents would need to be equal in strength, which is rare.”
“So there are criteria?” I arched a brow, glancing at him.
“Apparently, according to geneticists,” he answered shortly.
“You didn’t say it was impossible,” I pointed out.
“I’m just repeating what the geneticists claim.”
He was clearly in a mood today.
Which was ironic, considering I should’ve been the angry one.
After all, nobody had held a dagger to his throat yesterday.
Slowly, we approached a small gray building crowned with gleaming golden domes.
Unfamiliar blue flowers grew all around it.
The closer we got, the more details I noticed—
angel wings carved on either side of the entrance, golden mosaics shaped like flowers decorating the lower walls.
“What is this place?” I finally asked, realizing we were heading straight for the entrance.
“The Temple of Nereida.”
Another brief answer.
Airis headed for the doors, and I reluctantly followed.
“And why exactly are we here?” I asked before adding, unable to stop myself, “Feels a little late for you to start repenting for your sins.”
“You’re right, Fireling,” he replied smoothly.
“So I decided to give you that honor instead.”
The moment I crossed the low threshold, my mouth fell open at the sight before me.
Inside, the temple looked far larger than it had from the outside thanks to its towering painted ceilings.
I’d never seen artwork like this before, despite being familiar with paintings from countless eras. After my younger sister was born, my parents became obsessed with family trips across different countries.
But this...
This was different.
Darkly beautiful.
As if Renaissance art and surrealism had merged into something haunting.
As my gaze slowly lowered, I noticed four gilded columns rising from the center of the temple.
They shimmered—not from light, but from moisture.
Water streamed down them from above.
At first, I thought it was some kind of illusion until I noticed that the base of each column stood within an enormous decorative pool shaped like an angel’s wing.
So the water was real.
“Is water actually pouring over them?” I asked, instinctively reaching toward one of the columns.
Airis’s voice stopped me instantly.
“Don’t touch them.”
The sharpness in his tone made me realize just how close he was.
“Why?” I turned toward him, meeting his serious expression.
“Cold doesn’t mean harmless.”
As he spoke, he stepped closer.
Too close.
And suddenly, moving felt impossible.
His hands settled lightly against my waist—far gentler than someone like him had any right to be.
“Just like you, Fireling.”
His warm breath brushed against my lips.
The moment felt far too intimate.
Far too dangerous.
“Am I supposed to believe that comparison was innocent?” I asked softly.
Our eyes locked.
“I’d hate to discover I imagined it.”
One corner of his mouth lifted.
“So you fantasize about me?”
I licked my dry lips, desperately trying to reconnect with what little common sense I had left.
“And you don’t fantasize about me?”
I stared into his eyes without looking away, realizing something felt wrong.
Like he was testing me.
Or provoking me on purpose.
“Why are we here?”
“Say it out loud. Your intentions. Your connection to Harold Moss.”
“So you really think I’m a spy?” I scoffed and tried to step back, but Airis’s hand tightened around my waist before I could move.
“Move,” he warned softly, “and the back of your head is going to meet the column.”
I froze.
“Now say it.”
I exhaled slowly.
I didn’t understand why he needed this when I’d already told him I had no intention of hurting anyone.
But if he wanted it so badly—
fine.
“I have absolutely no connection to Harold Moss. I only learned about him from you.”
I felt Airis go still as he listened.
“And no, I’m not planning to hurt anyone... unless someone comes after the people I care about.”
Silence followed.
Several long seconds of it.
Then Airis pulled me toward him while stepping back at the same time.
Away from the column.
Only then did he let go.
I noticed the subtle shift in his expression.
Softer.
Which somehow surprised me.
“The Temple of Nereida is also called the Sanctuary of Truth,” Airis said at last. “If someone lies here, the temple collapses from the inside and buries every liar alive.”
My stomach dropped.
I couldn’t move.
“And if I’d lied about something small?” I asked, trying to suppress the anger flaring inside me. “We would’ve been buried alive over something stupid?”
“Then that would’ve been my mistake.”
He shrugged.
Carelessly.
“And honestly, we should probably leave before you decide to lie out of spite.”
With that, he turned and headed toward the exit without waiting for me.
“So the shameless flirting was necessary too?” I demanded, following after him with my hands clenched into fists.
“I wanted to touch you again.”
I noticed that when Airis said it, he still hadn’t crossed the temple threshold.
And nothing collapsed.