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My stomach is in knots. I heard Viola mention Link during the Race, and I know how much he meant to her. How will I ever tell her that Stone and Mace have done something to him?
These two have stalked Viola and those close to her for her entire life. The idea seems preposterous in theory, but the more I sit with Stone, the more I believe it. Mace knew who she was at the opening ceremonies and even called her by name. He has seemed drawn to her the entire Race.
He has been watching her entire life.
The reality of the situation does nothing to ease my fear that she is in danger in his hands.
“She will be the vessel in which Himureal leeches power to return to his physical form. It’s an honor to be God-touched in the way she is. She will be treated with utmost care until the end,” he says with reverence.
“The end? You seek to destroy her?”
“How else will we give the God of blood enough power to return?”
I’m on my feet instantly, fear and desperation coloring my face crimson. “You cannot destroy her. She is not a vessel. She’s a God, Stone. She can cast spells without thinking. She has no experience with setting intentions and yet is capable of a killing blow curse. She is pure magic.”
Now, his laugh is booming, entirely inappropriate for the discussion at hand. “Zeph, come now, you cannot believe that. She holds the power of Himureal within her - of course, her magic will be strong. That doesn’t make her equal to the Gods.”
I ready myself for an argument with him again. He holds up his hand to silence me. “Zeph, stop this. What Mace and I are doing is for the good of Krillium, and we will not let you stand in our way. I was fine to turn a blind eye to your plans to reveal the truth of the Gods to the city…”
My head spins. Stone knew the plans I had all along.
“But,” he continues, “this situation with Viola is too precarious, and we will not be able to complete the ritual before Race end. I will not allow you to continue your plans to sabotage the Race.”
I stalk across the room, rising to my full height before him. The difference in our stature forces him to look up at me. “Or what, Stone? What could you do if I reveal to all of Krillium the lies of the Race?”
He shrugs. “I’d kill Viola. Her magic would find another host, and I would gladly wait for that host to come of age. Of course, I would hate to do that. There is no need for the Race to continue once Himureal has returned. Plus, I’m sure you’ve realized we’ve lost control of the beasts outside our borders, and that magic is waning. Who do you think will replenish it but the Gods? But go ahead. Throw your ridiculous tantrum and doom your people and Viola for your selfish plot.”
His words deflate me, and I shrink back towards a wall, slumping against it for support.
I do not know this woman, and our initial interaction did not bode well for her ever enjoying my company. But if she died because of a decision I made, I could not live with myself.
Even if that meant others would be sacrificed to Gods who weren’t listening.
Even if that meant winners would be cut down in their moment of joy for the sole reason of keeping them from asking where all the other winners ended up.
Something about this woman has latched onto my very being, and I cannot live without knowing why. I slide down the wall, hitting the floor and leaning my head towards my knees in Stone’s sitting room. I cannot bring myself to speak. He crosses the room and pats me on the shoulder before saying, “You’ve made the right decision, Zeph.”
Chapter 32
Zeph
Mymindstillreelingfrom my conversation with Stone, I stumble into the Hasty Butcher for another drink. At the bar top, Bracken slides me my usual liquor. “Some food with that, sir?” he asks, his voice gravely and harsh. My only reply is to sip the warmth of the liquid down.
I have to call it all off. Every bit of preparation and scheming I’ve done for the months leading up to the Race, and these past few days with Loris, Plume, and Nimh must be canceled. If I don’t, Viola will be killed. I cannot live with her blood on my hands.
But can I live with the guilt of signing the death ticket of the other humans?
I know the answer but struggle to admit it to myself.
The desire I feel to protect Viola is nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It is visceral and real, a gauntlet I never agreed to participate in. If I am being honest with myself, I felt drawn to her starting from her Ascension year. I was in awe of her strength and resilience, traits I wish I saw in myself.
Seeing her in person amplified my admiration to a worrying level. I want to keep her to myself, out of the eyes of those who would dare to hurt her.
Loris is convinced Viola is a God, but Stone’s explanation of her power makes sense logically. If she was the embodiment of all the Winter magic that hadn’t taken root in ages, she’d be exceedingly powerful. If she could hone her power, she may be able to stand against Mace and Stone and…
And what?
If she is not used as a vessel and we are forever without our Gods, then Winter magic will never come back. What would I have her do? Fight Stone and Mace and hide, so no one would figure out what or who she is and use her for her intended purpose? Something tells me a woman like Viola would not be content to hide for the rest of her days.
