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"I did," I say, brushing dust off my clothing and patting my hair to ensure I didn't lose any of it. "We are righting previous wrongs and bringing you and your siblings back to Krillium."
"So I saw," he says lazily, sweeping his eyes over everyone before coming back to me. "I didn't think you'd manage it on the first try."
"It was Plume's idea," I say, pointing towards the Spring fae. She catches sight of the blood dripping from my arm and rockets to her feet. "She believed a warrior God would not return to someone who set something on fire that was not worth losing."
"To be a warrior is to be willing to sacrifice yourself at any moment," Solarius says with a nod. "Though, there was no real risk of you dying from it." He raises an eyebrow at my arm, watching the blood that runs down my fingers. "But I see youfound a way to sacrifice."
"Smarts like a bitch," I say with a laugh.
"Indeed." His voice holds no humor, no warmth, as he speaks to me. We stand there silent and look at one another, his golden eyes digging into my own. It's not even that he is curious about me.
It's almost like he doesn't even consider me at all.
That I am inconsequential to him.
"Well, this has been fun, but I suppose I've got to go find if I have a high priest and reestablish myself," Solarius says, moving up the stairs.
"Wait!" I say, jogging after him. "We need your help."
"I know what you need."
"Then you know you cannot leave. We need all of you and myself to balance the land and get rid of Himureal. He's lost his ability to be the type of God this realm needs." Solarius turns and looks at me, his eyes narrowed.
"And you believe yourself to be what this realm needs?"
"Fuck if I know," I answer honestly. "I didn't choose this. I stumbled upon my portion of Himureal's powers, and then, in trying to figure out how to return the rest of you, I absorbed your powers, too." I pull the front of my shirt down, showing Solarius the twin to his sunfire. He raises an eyebrow and drags his finger over it, the warmth of his caress soaking into the brand. "But I do know I am what this realm has as an alternative to Himureal."
"I'm sure he's not that bad," Solarius says, waving his hand.
"Actually,"Plume interrupts quietly. "He's getting worse."
"And how would you know?" the God says, swinging his gaze to her. To Plume's credit, she does not recoil or flinch at all.
"During the ritual, I received a message using Air from Ytopie." She looks from me to Zeph and then takes a deep breath, steeling herself. "Cirrha says Himureal has begun imprisoning those who refuse to bow to him. He's repeatedly using Blood magic to determine intentions and executes any who may have nefarious goals. She and Taegan have fled."
"What?" Zeph roars, rushing up to Plume. "Is she okay? Is Cirrha okay?"
"For now," Plume says, nodding. "I sent her a message about Rainworth, but I'm unsure if it will reach her in time for her to get here."
"Where are they? Where did she take Taegan?" Zeph is pulling his hair, the stress bleeding from him. Solarius is watching the situation with a bored expression on his beautiful face.
"She didn't say," Plume says gently, gathering Zeph's hands in her own. "But they got out, and we will meet up with them. They will be okay."
"He's escalating exponentially. I thought we had more time." Zeph turns to me, his eyes pleading. "Shadowweaver, please. I cannot lose anyone else." His voice cracks on the last words, and I know then that I will move mountains to save my high priest's friends.
It's the least I can do for the man who wholly and willingly gave up himself to be my priest.
"We will do whatever we can, high priest," I say, leaning forward and placing my forehead on his. I feel the power transfer between the two of us, but this time it is me Influencing some calm into him. "Plume," I say, not looking away from Zeph, "See if we can get them a message and find out where they are. I will travel with my shadows to get them."
"Let me Heal you first," she says, stepping forward and grabbing my arm. The warmth of her magic wraps over me, and the split skin knits together before my eyes, leaving only tracks of blood behind.
"Alright then," I say, clapping my hands together. "It's time for a rescue mission."
"Is that a good idea?" Mace says, pushing to his feet. "Himureal could find you in your shadow visions."
As if summoned by the mention of shadows, Shadow twists up my leg and hangs over my shoulders. Is he getting bigger? Can he do that? Zeph jumps back as shadow tastes the air, his tongue flicking on the high priest's cheeks. I stroke my hand down the iridescent black head of my familiar. After a moment, I turn back to Mace.
"I understand your concern. I do. But I do not think Himureal can hurt me in my visions. If I am quick, and he is not in his own vision or waiting for me, he won't even know I was there."
