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Chapter 29
Mace
EverythingIhavetirelesslyworked for is finally coming to fruition.
For what feels like my entire life, I was groomed for this. Stone always said I was destined to bring back the Gods.
To save all of Ytopie.
And finally, we found our vessel.
Several years ago, we thought that the boy Link, who stumbled into the garrison from the elevator, had some affinity for magic that could prove useful. While there were moments of promising sparks, what really interested me was the stories he told about a girl from his village.
Of course, he didn’t willingly give up that information. But sleep deprivation and starvation loosen tongues.
Initially, he begged to be let go, to return to the girl he loved. The times he spoke of her were when flickers of magic within him flared to life. It was subtle, but I saw it. His soul was bound to hers. She had her tendrils in him, even then.
Since she reached the age of Ascension, I’ve watched her progress in the Race. I’ve never let Stone in on the depth of my suspicions. Of course, he suspected she held potential, being descended from one of the original four families, but she was an intimation, not a sure thing.
But if he saw what I did, he would’ve grabbed her during her Ascension year. I wanted her to have time to mature and grow with her magic. I didn’t want to risk grabbing her too early or making the wrong choice.
She felt like my secret. And she proved to be more than I could ever imagine this year.
As her magic grew more and more apparent, I slept less and less. Something inside me is drawn toward her, an invisible cord that makes it impossible to exist without knowing if she is okay. Stone noticed my growing interest and expressed his concerns that I would become too attached to her.
After all, what is the likelihood a vessel will survive once its host God returns?
I am not attached to her. I am drawn to her power and her usefulness.
When I first joined the Patricians, Stone explained the importance of a vessel and how we had to get the Gods back. With the Gods’ return, magic can spread across the land again, rejuvenating waning fae magic and heralding the end of the Race once and for all.
Despite what some may say about me, I’m not a fan of the senseless killing that comes with the Race.
But we all have our parts to play, and unfortunately, this is mine.
Stone says that all will be forgiven when the Gods return. They’ll understand why we increased the number of expendables repeatedly and why we executed the winners.
Maybe they will. Perhaps it will be water under the bridge, and they’ll understand that everything we did was to protect the secret of their banishment and work towards bringing them back.
I only hope when judgment is passed on my soul that my true motives are taken into account.
Crashing sounds at the end of the tunnel, and I watch on the connection as Viola Mistflow and her partner, Tulip, utilize ice magic to break open the door to the elevator. Now, all there is to do is wait for her to follow the path into the garrison below the arena.
Stone places his hand on my shoulder, and I cover it with my own. He’s been a father figure to me, and I feel pride radiating from him. “It’s almost through, Mace. With the return of Himureal, we can restore Krillium to the greatness it once had.” My only response is a curt nod, focusing on the tunnel I expect to see Viola emerge from.
The adrenaline rush of all the pieces coming together is wearing off, and I feel my body growing weary with exhaustion. When was the last time I had a truly restful night’s sleep?
A stumbling sound reaches my ears, and a smile stretches to my face as I step forward to welcome our vessel.
And I lock eyes with my brother.
Zeph is clutching Viola’s wrist, and she looks mightily unhappy about it. I feel a fierce wave of protectiveness crawling up my throat. She’s dirty and disheveled, her skin pale from hunger and dehydration. Her travel partner, Tulip, is just a step behind her, trembling like a leaf. Viola’s eyes betray her fear and grief, and I want to reach out and grab her, pull her to me, and tell her it will be okay.
But those thoughts cannot happen.
She is not long for this world anymore.
As much as I tell myself it’s for the greater good, it does not make it any easier now that I finally see her in person again.
