CHAPTER TWO #2
Straight in front of us was a walled-off section that looked a little like a grand fort.
It, too, was covered in vegetation. But I could see enough of the wall to tell that, unlike the other buildings here, it was constructed of black stone, not white.
Given that the banner hanging above the arched gate featured the Black Tapestry’s insignia, I was guessing that it was their garrison.
It also obstructed my view, so I couldn’t see what lay beyond it …
other than for what was clearly the home of the Sovereigns.
The large cream-and-gold fortress sat perched on a high rise far off in the distance, overlooking the entire city; boasting the subtle glow of a pearl.
Tall, misty mountains could be seen either side of it.
No one could say that the Sovereigns lacked style.
Only when we neared the garrison did the wagon slow to a halt. Which was when my heart began working overtime. Voices called out, dogs let out low barks, and then the rail was removed from the rear of the wagon.
Once the Laelaps leaped out, an officiate waved for the rest of us to make our exit. One by one, we filed out of the wagon. As my feet met the ground, I almost winced at the stiffness in my knees.
The space quickly became cluttered with the large of number of Phoenixians that hopped out of the many wagons. Some humans looked ready to empty their bellies.
My throat a little dry, I fished my water pouch out of my pocket and took a long swig.
Rubbing at her butt, Aurelia sighed. “I so needed to get out of that wagon.”
“And it so needs airing out,” I said.
She snorted in amusement. “Yeah, I don’t know who was farting, but it reeks in there. Their stomach is probably playing up with nerves.”
I stumbled forward slightly as a shoulder crashed into the back of mine … and my leather pouch dropped to the ground.
Shrugging past me, Seneca grinned. “Whoops. Look at all that water spilling all over the ground and going to waste. Such a shame.”
Atticus snickered as he and their cousin Bevan moved to stand behind her, their trim builds tense; their wide-set shoulders back.
“You should really be more careful where you’re walking,” she cattily admonished, a mocking glint in the same gray eyes she shared with her brother and cousin.
Silence crashed down on us heavily as everyone went still.
Was it the first time that she’d acted like a bitch toward me? No, not even close. The only reason I could think of that she would bother to make a scene here and now was to establish herself as someone to be respected and feared among the people here.
I cocked my head. “Still holding it against me that your brother got whipped?”
Her face hardened. “You lied. He never hurt that woman. You were bitter that he rejected your advances, and so you sought payback.”
Advances? Pfft. There had been no advances. “Such a pretty story. And utterly fictional.” I flicked my pouch a look. “Pick it up.”
Seneca blinked, shocked. “What did you say?”
“Pick it up.”
An amused smile tugged at her bow-shaped mouth. “You can’t be serious.”
“You might have had the upper hand at Phoenixia, what with you being one of the nobles. But here, you’re just another offering. Godkin, yes, but still an offering.”
Her grin faltered. “That doesn’t put us on an even keel.” She moved to stand in front of me, giving me a head-to-toe inspection, her upper lip curling. “Nor does your being a Sayer. Anointed by the gods or not, you’re still human.”
“You say that as if it’s something that I should be ashamed of. I’m not. It’s a point of pride for me. Now pick it up.”
Lifting one finger, Seneca opened her mouth wide and—
Footfalls heading our way.
I looked to see Talon prowling toward us. His gaze on her, he pointed at the pouch.
She quickly obeyed the wordless command—snatching it from the floor and throwing it to me, all while pouting like a child.
Talon emitted a sharp whistle to get everyone’s attention and then urged us to follow him and the bald officiate I’d heard others call Ajax.
I none too hesitantly fell into step with the rest of the Phoenixians as the two males headed toward the high tower.
We followed them along a path that wound through a stunning garden of trimmed hedges and colorful flowers.
Some passersby spared us curious glances but didn’t slow their pace, clearly used to offerings being hauled here.
I glanced up at the tower that loomed over us, tall and intimidating. Ropes of vines twisted and looped around the gigantic structure haphazardly. Windows were set here and there, all large with stained glass.
Reaching the entrance, Ajax pulled open the wooden door, making the hinges creak. Talon entered first, but Ajax didn’t follow; he waved the offerings ahead of him. Maybe he intended to take up the rear to be sure that none of us made a run for it. Though where would we even go?
Grudgingly stepping into the tower, I drank in my surroundings.
The bright white walls were accented with gold trim.
The floor was a beige polished stone that was as smooth as the antique wall-mounted mirrors.
Upholstered chaises were perched near the windows, their burgundy shade matching the pretty rugs.
Had it not been for the circumstances, if fear hadn’t knotted my belly, I might have appreciated the view.
A few people stood around, and all were sure to bow their heads at Talon. But they paid the rest of us little attention as we fell into step behind him, the sounds of our footsteps bouncing off the stone walls of the passageway.
Soon, we reached a spiral staircase … and I silently prayed that we wouldn’t need to climb all the way up there.
Letting one hand lightly skim over the limestone wall, I followed the others, hating every single step I took.
Each time we reached a particular level, I hoped that we’d be done. But Talon would just keep ascending.
My knees began to ache. My thighs started to feel a little numb. My breathing became slightly labored.
Some people ahead of me stopped, striving to catch their breath or rubbing at their legs. But a loud whistle from Talon or a barked “Keep up” from Ajax had them moving again.
Just when I thought that my knees would give out on me, Talon pulled open a door and gestured for us to follow. My legs didn’t get any steadier as I walked along the arched hallway, passing pretty ceramics and sculptures, but that was due to the nervousness that rattled my bones.
As we reached the neared end of the passageway, which seemed to branch out into a wider space, Talon came to a halt.
We all did the same, some accidentally colliding into others and apologizing in whispers.
“What you’re telling me is that you still have no answers to report?” asked a deep, rich voice coming from up-ahead.
“Minos,” another male voice began, “I have done all that I can—”
“If that were true, you would be able to explain to us just how they escaped,” clipped Minos. “Two-hundred beings do not simply disappear. Especially not from Tartarus.”
I frowned. Tartarus was a prison where the Sovereigns were said to send those they wished to punish. Few knew exactly sure where it was located.
“There is no evidence of them escaping, Minos—their cell doors were locked.”
A scoff. “Nobody could break out of Tartarus, especially without going unnoticed. Two hundred roaming prisoners would not go unnoticed. One of the wardens obviously freed the Watchers. It is your job to find out who. Do it. Fast.”
I blinked, surprised to hear that the Watchers were alive. The army of godkin had once fought under the banner of the half-blood Theseus during the Uprising. I would have thought they’d all been executed when caught.
“And don’t disappoint us again,” added Minos, a deadly note to his voice. “I’m sure you’ve heard what I do to the tongues of those who have nothing useful to report.”
My gaze immediately flitted to Talon. A rumor circulated that Minos had taken his tongue, hence why he didn’t speak. But … I’d heard Talon whistle a few times. You couldn’t whistle if you didn’t have a tongue.
Or could you?
A rangy male who was presumably Minos’ conversationalist nodded curtly at Talon as he hurried past us. Talon was then once more on the move.
We mirrored him, albeit with extreme reluctance, and entered a half-moon space that was clearly some sort of royal audience chamber.
The three Sovereigns were lounging on thrones that were set on a platform flanked by columns.
The light shining through the glass windows behind them formed a sort of halo around the thrones, giving the brothers a celestial look.
Despite their too-pale skin and eerily black eyes, the dark-haired brothers were striking. Perfectly pleasing in appearance. Almost entrancing, even.
A curvy raven-haired woman who vaguely resembled Minos stood off to the side, her back ruler straight, her pretty pale face a study in serenity.
Probably his daughter, Ariadne. When word of my birth was sent to the Sovereigns due to my being a Sayer, she had come to investigate and made it clear that they should be notified if I exhibited any displays of power.
“Ah, you have returned,” said the broad male on the middle throne. Thanks to the conversation we’d just overheard, I recognized his voice as belonging to Minos.
Several feet away from the platform, Talon stopped dead. Behind him, we came to a swift, clumsy halt.
“These are the offerings from Phoenixia, I presume,” said the half-blood sat on Minos’ right. Trim and clean-shaven, he was all elegance and poise. “Any trouble there?”
Moving to stand near the wall, his hands clasped behind his back, Talon shook his head.
“Aegeas is getting more and more resentful about having to offer up sacrifices, though,” said Ajax, sidling up to Talon.
The third Sovereign—who possessed a bulky frame and a thick, curly beard—flicked his hand in a dismissive gesture. “He wouldn’t dare make a second attempt to dethrone us.”