7. Thayla #3
He was going to say Thayla related. Of course.
“The path we’re working on is locating the original Binding and gathering the replicas,” Amick says, getting everyone back on track. “We have two left.”
“Kira’s and Rella’s,” Meridamus says.
We nod.
“I’m still sifting through options, but we’ll have to go to the Abandon to acquire our father’s. There’s no way around it.”
I flinch, even though it isn’t surprising. We just haven’t fully discussed it. I’m not na?ve, though. It’s not like we can just ask him for it.
Meridamus’s expression hardens. “You say that like entering the Abandon is merely inconvenient.”
“It’s extremely inconvenient,” Amick says. “And dangerous, unpredictable, and guaranteed to end in bloodshed. But it’s still necessary.”
They fall still, absorbing the weight of his words.
Val rubs his face, then sighs.
“The Abandon has changed.”
“Yeah, no shit. Our father’s passing out power like sweet treats,” Riven says.
“He is, and it’s eating away at my barrier.”
“Eating your barrier?” I ask.
“The barrier wasn’t built to withstand endless corruption. It was built to contain and separate it.”
“And now there’s too much,” Creed says.
“Yes. Every time Kira releases more corrupt power, the barrier absorbs the strain. Filters it. Pushes it back. It’s been doing that too long. It’s tired.”
What he isn’t saying clicks into place.
“You can’t reinforce it because it gives you away.” He opens his mouth, but I keep going. “The barrier around Hellveilious isn’t failing because the beings inside aren’t corrupt. Well, their power isn’t corrupt.”
“The side connected to the Abandon is weakening. Fortunately, the beings inside can’t sense it or test their luck since they’re inside of mountains.”
“Fuck,” Creed mutters.
“I said that to warn you. I know you all went to the heart of the Abandon recently, but the heart and Kira’s house have two totally different levels of corruption. You cannot approach going there recklessly, Thayla.”
Something in his tone almost pulls me backward twenty years.
I shove it away.
“We weren’t planning to.”
“Good,” Meridamus says. “Because obtaining his Binding isn’t the only challenge. Locating it will be the first. He’s either keeping it on him or guarding it heavily.”
Amick straightens. “You believe he knows we’re collecting them?”
“I’m not sure. But he’s suspicious about Sabe’s disappearing. He definitely thinks you had something to do with it.”
“So first we find out if it’s at his house or on him. How?” I ask.
“Ol’ fake name here and Big DD will go to the Neutral and give him a hug. Pat him down real good,” Riven says.
I snort.
That would be hilarious, honestly.
“If I hugged him, he’d stab me,” Derivius says.
“You think I’d fare better?” Meridamus asks.
“Neither of you will need to hug him,” Amick says, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I can’t believe you fed into that.”
“Oh, you got a better idea?” Riven asks.
“Yes.”
My gaze meets Amick’s, and understanding dawns on me.
“Doren,” I whisper. “That would drain him.”
“Possibly,” Amick says. “But we’re not retrieving it the same day. We just need to test whether he leaves the Abandon with or without it.”
“But how—”
“They meet at the Neutral,” Creed says. “Derivius gives us a sign, and Doren tracks. If he can locate it, he’ll know if it’s in Valveilious or the Abandon.”
My mouth parts. I whip my attention to the Beginning Gods.
“How often do you meet at the Neutral?”
“He and the other four meet daily. I go when I please. Most discussions are pointless,” Meridamus says.
“I don’t care if they’re pointless. How long do they last?”
“Sometimes an hour, sometimes all day,” Derivius says.
“What could you possibly discuss every day?” Creed asks, disgusted.
“Formal complaints, Domain Gods’ failures or achievements, changes. It’s mostly pointless and redundant. Dear Suma here forgot to add I’m obligated to attend.”
“Because of your disownment,” I say. “The disownment you voted for.”
Meridamus actually looks ashamed.
I do a double take when I glance at Derivius.
Shit. I forgot I hadn’t told him he drunkenly spilled his secrets to me.
“That night…” he says, realizing it. I give him a tight smile.
“We’ll talk later.”
He nods.
“This is a good stopping point,” Amick says. “We’ll talk to Doren tomorrow, then update all of you. From there, we’ll choose the best day to attempt it. Thayla, anything else?”
“Nope. I’m good.”
A million questions sit in my throat, but none matter right now.
“Very well. We’ll be in touch,” he says, lacing his fingers with mine and turning me around before anyone can add more.
Obviously, Val has other plans.
“Thayla.”
I stop and peer over my shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“We’re not here to stand in your way. Our roles are to guide and aid you where we can. That’s what I plan to do.”
I pinch my lips and nod. Meridamus raises his hand like he wants to add something.
“What time would you like to meet for training tomorrow?”
I grit my teeth.
Fuck.
“Mid-morning. Give me time to eat and talk to Yemi.”
“Perfect,” he says. “Shall we meet you here or—”
Fucking asshole and his shit-eating smirk knows they can’t come here.
“You sure Mellcom didn’t get his manipulation from you?” I snap before I stop myself. He bristles. “Be on my front lawn in the morning. I’m sure you know where it is.”
Amick pulls me forward while Creed, Kyzen, and Riven cover our backs. I send a much nicer mental goodbye to Derivius.
Fuck me. This went in so many directions I didn’t see coming.
I am absolutely not looking forward to training with my father and godfather.