Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
PARIS
“Good people of Glimmer City,” an elvish man’s voice called out.
Their eyes. Their damn eyes. Was that Aidan’s influence in there?
“We have to get out of here,” I pressed the king.
Silvanus stayed put, a statue of fury.
I looked to Medusa, who seemed as lost as me. Elio was totally bemused.
Fuck this.
I grabbed the king’s hand, and he drew in a sharp breath. His head turned, his muscles softening.
“Aidan…” he whispered.
Before I could answer, the voice boomed. “He is here! Aidan is here! Returned to us again!”
Murmurs churned around me, followed by a hint of mocking laughter.
Once upon a time, I’d have scorned the one laughing for being a dirty heathen.
Now I knew better, even if it sucked. Even if I did, shamefully, mourn the comfort of my faith.
“Observe us,” the man continued. “Look into our golden eyes. We are touched by Him, basking in His love. He came to us, spoke with us, showed us the coming darkness we must all resist.”
There was less laughter after that, and a lot more murmurs.
Aidan was steering the wheels here. Acolytes didn’t behave this way.
“Dark days are coming.” A woman took over talking, her voice even more booming. “You will all see, you will all know. But fear not, for He will guide us. He will save us from those who wish us harm.”
An elf spoke up. “What have you been drinking?”
There was the laughter again.
“He will show you,” the man answered. “But you must show your devotion again. For it has diminished of late, which is a tragedy.”
“All is not lost.” The woman picked up the chat. “Join us in the temple. Pray to Him, let Him hear what’s in your hearts.”
“Doesn’t he already?” a different elf asked.
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll pass,” the elf guy retorted, heading away from the area.
“Then you will suffer outside of His love,” the Acolyte guy yelled. “Is that what you want? To be left out in the cold, nothing but prey to the darkness, never knowing the safety of Aidan again?”
“Sounds cruel,” an elf woman piped up.
“Rejecting the one who saved this world is cruel,” the man fired back.
The golden light in the Acolytes’ eyes brightened.
It was then I noticed my hand was still on Silvanus’s.
I gave it a tug. “Come on. Let’s get—”
“Like him,” the Acolyte woman called, pointing her finger at me. “That vampire executioner over there.”
Uh-oh.