Lorelei wrinkled her nose. It was a good thing she’d had a bedroll that she could lay out and sit on. The thin cushioning did little to harden the stone beneath her, though.
Amara knelt beside Vaana, who was stretched out on another bedroll, still unconscious. She had pulled out bandages and ointments from Vaana’s bag and tended her wounds. She’d already tended to Vandermere’s broken face.
After the energy had released from the binding circle, Amara had helped Lorelei up and introduced herself. Before Lorelei had much of a chance to ask questions, a distant roar had echoed through the temple. Amara had smiled and said she would handle it. She’d returned a short time later, carrying Vaana with Vandermere’s help. They had settled in this room.
Lorelei glanced at Vandermere from under her lashes. Aside from a few bruises, he didn’t appear to have any wounds. Lorelei’s chest lightened with relief. Not that Vaana’s injuries weren’t bad, but...
She pushed the thought away before it could continue and glanced back at Amara. She’d barely had time to give her name. Why had she been trapped here?
You shouldn’t trust her, Murgleis whispered.
You are a Sluagh, Lorelei thought back. You shouldn’t be trusted either.
That’s the point. There are stories of a Sluagh known as Amara. She is duplicitous. So much so, there’s a debate that she’s even a Sluagh.
How could you not know whether she is a Sluagh or not?
Vandermere moved closer to her. “You seem to be staring hard at that sword. It’s new.”
She glanced up, tearing her attention away from Murgleis, and flashed him a smile. “Yeah, I found it when we were separated.”
He chuckled. “Seems like you had an adventure of your own.”
“This city is insane.” She set Murgleis beside her on the bedroll and drew her knees up to rest her elbows on them. “What about you? Seems you got into a big fight.”
“We were wandering around for a while. Vaana was never able to get to that tower. Then we heard your voice and followed it. The trolls seemed to have the same idea.”
She glanced at the ground and scratched the back of her head. “Yeah, sorry about that. I was helping Amara…get free.”
He raised a brow. “Care to explain?”
She bit the inside of her cheek. Should she? She didn’t want a lecture on the dangers of releasing things from Vandermere as well as Murgleis. Still, he was looking at her like that and she didn’t want to lie to him.
“She was bound here in a circle. I’m not sure on the details because she left to help you before I could talk to her.”
“I see.” He rocked back on his heels with his eyes narrowing. Was it a vision? “I suppose we will have to ask her, then.”
Lorelei’s shoulders straightened. “That’s it? No, ‘that’s a reckless move, Lorelei’?”
“Oh, it was reckless,” he said. “But for good or ill, we don’t know yet.”
Vaana moaned and shifted where she was laying. Amara scooted back and sat with her feet tucked under her and her hands resting on her knees. Vaana sat up with a wince, her hand going to her head.
“What happened?” she asked in a hoarse voice.
“The trolls felt like tossing you around,” Amara said. “Luckily, Lorelei helped me out and I was able to do the same for you.”
Vaana stiffened, her eyes narrowing at Amara. “Who are you? And where are we?”
“I am Amara. And this…” She waved her hand around the room. “This is the Temple of the Stars, or a room in it, to be precise.”
Vaana stilled. “This is the temple in Winderward.”
“What’s left of it,” Amara said with a sad sigh. “Most has been raided from those who seek riches in Winderward. I see several have even tried to pluck the stars from the sky though I doubt that turned out well for them.”
“And how do you know this?” Vaana lowered her head in a tilt to stare at Amara.
Lorelei cleared her throat. “Does it matter? She saved you and tended to your wounds.”
“For what price?” Vaana kept her gaze on Amara.
Amara raised her hands up. “No price. Like I said, I owe Lorelei.”
“Why?”
“She freed me.”
Vaana crossed her arms. “And how were you trapped that you needed Lorelei to free you?”
“I have many enemies.” Amara looked at her hands as a bitter smile formed on her lips. She glanced back up at Vaana. “After failing to kill me, several joined forces and bound me here.”
“Faerie can’t be bound.” Vaana’s jaw set. “So, what are you? Sluagh? Little god?”
“Does it matter?” Lorelei broke in. “She saved you and isn’t asking for anything in return.”
Vaana jabbed a finger in Amara’s direction. “She’s most likely an Anathema. She may not want something now, but in the end, we’ll have to pay.”
“Or she may actually be a boon to the world,” Vandermere said. “After all, this world is going to need all the help it can get.”
Amara’s glanced at him and her shoulder trembled for an instant before she straightened and gave him a slight nod. Lorelei’s heart sank as she looked between them. They knew something she didn’t.
“What do you mean?” Lorelei asked.
Vandermere shook his head and turned to Vaana. “You shouldn’t be judging, given your current predicament.”
Vaana huffed and stood up, brushing off her pants. “Fine. At least we’ve reached the temple. I’m going to see if there is anything useful here.”
“I doubt you’ll find much here,” Amara said. “This place had been well ransacked when I was trapped here.” She pressed her lips together and her gaze stared into the distance.
Vaana glanced at the door with her brow knitting. She spoke in a low voice. “I’ll take my chances. I can’t leave without searching.”
Lorelei rose to her knees. “You’re still wounded though.”
Vaana closed her eyes and chanted a few words. Color returned to her skin and the shadows that had hovered under eyes disappeared. She unwrapped the bandages around her head and side, revealing fresh whole skin.
“The Empress still provides for those who believe,” she said, casting Vandermere a glare.
With those parting words, she left the room, closing the door with an authoritative clack.
Lorelei lowered herself into a sitting position and stared at her hands. Vaana had a drive to seek out things like this temple, but at the same time she looked down on Amara and others with disdain, bordering on hostility. She had to wonder if Vaana liked her and Vandermere, or just tolerated them because she was stuck.
Vandermere put his hand on Lorelei’s arm. “She’s confused. This whole thing has jarred everything she believes and she’s trying to desperately cling to it.”
Lorelei smirked. “Is that part of your seer abilities?”
“Prophet. And not exactly. I suppose it helps, but I have good insight on people.” Vandermere stood. “I’m going to find her and make sure she stays out of too much trouble. You should get some rest.”
A small smile curled on Lorelei’s lips as she watched him leave. He may not have been overly muscular, but he was fit. He was probably a lot of fun in bed.
What was she thinking?
She shook her head and glanced at Amara.
She cleared her throat. “You said you were bound here by enemies. Will they come after you again?”
“The ones that bound me? They’ve probably mostly died out,” Amara said with a chuckle. “Though there are others that are still alive.”
“You’ve been here for a while,” Lorelei said. “So, Vaana was right that you aren’t a faerie.”
“But you already knew that,” Amara said.
“What are you?” Lorelei asked.
Amara winked at her. “That’s my secret”
“What about your enemies? They must be powerful.”
“They’re not your enemies, so you don’t need to worry
about them,” Amara said. “You should enjoy the finer things in life. Not be forced to sleep on a hard floor in a dusty old temple. After all, enjoyment is what makes your magic stronger.”
Lorelei tilted her head. “What do you know about my magic?”
Amara blinked at her a few times before she smiled. “That was meant more of a general case. Aether is replenished by doing things we love.”
Oh. Amara had meant that.
Ever since coming to Nearon and joining Vaana on this adventure, she’d been able to do some amazing things she hadn’t thought possible. Of course, her spells hadn’t gone exactly how she had wanted, but she was being more experimental. She no longer had a school to study at. Lorelei stared down at her hands. Drinking and sex had both been Lorelei’s favorites for refilling her Aether ever since she’d been at the Aimsir. Arryn had been her chosen partner until he’d left her for Freya.
She met Amara’s gaze and spoke in a flat tone. “The finer things in life, as you say, have never brought me much joy. They come with too much heartache.”
Amara leaned forward and touched Lorelei’s cheek with a tender expression. “No, they wouldn’t be.”
Lorelei’s breath caught in her throat as she stared into Amara’s dark eyes. Something about her touch was so familiar. There was an instant connection there. They’d just met, but Amara felt like the sister she had always wanted.
Before she could say anything, Amara stood and stretched her arms above her head, glancing around the room.
“Well, as much as I’m enjoying this, I’ve been staring at these walls for far too long,” Amara said. “I’m itching to see what’s become of the world.”
“You’re leaving already?” Lorelei tried to push the disappointment down.
“I’ve been resting long enough. Don’t worry though. You and your friends will be safe here.”
Lorelei nodded, her shoulders slumping.
Amara leaned over, grasped her hands, and pulled her to her feet. She towered over Lorelei. Had she gotten taller? She planted a small kiss on Lorelei’s forehead.
“Don’t look so sad. We’ll meet again,” Amara said. “After all, I still owe you.”
“But you saved my friends,” Lorelei said.
Amara laughed. “Scaring away some Fomorians and healing a few wounds doesn’t make up what you did for me.”
Lorelei smiled. “I look forward to seeing you again, then.”
“To the future.” Amara gave a two-fingered salute and left.
Lorelei let out a loud sigh and looked around the empty room. The quietness seemed to become more deafening as each second passed. Once again, she was alone.
Well, not exactly; she did have Murgleis.
I’m not going to comfort you, Murgleis said.
“Fine,” Lorelei muttered, stood up, and packed her equipment into her backpack. She picked up the heartstone and stared at it for a moment. Vandermere was right. This had been useful so far. She’d better keep it somewhere accessible. She stuck it in the pocket of her skirt. Last, she picked up Murgleis and tied him to her belt before crossing the room.
She flung the door open and stepped into the empty hallway. Most of the doors now hung open, a sign of Vaana’s search most likely. Judging by the silence of the hall, she and Vandermere had already moved on.
Lorelei headed towards the grand hall. Vaana’s voice reverberated through the air as she opened the door. Vandermere and Vaana stood against the far wall. Lorelei quickened her step to them.
Vaana glanced at her. “Where’s your friend?”
“Amara left. She decided she wanted to see what’s become of the world,” Lorelei said. “Did you find anything?”
Vaana crossed her arms and huffed. “Most of the room are empty. What’s left is useless.”
Lorelei raised an eyebrow. “You searched this entire temple already?”
“Unfortunately, much of this wing is inaccessible.” Vandermere nodded to the door on the left Lorelei had not taken. “Looks like there was a cave in.”
“All of it?” Lorelei asked. “No way to the second floor?”
“No, we found stairs and we were able to reach a library on the second floor. Most of the books are ruined. All I got was this.” Vaana pulled out a set of scrolls. “They look like their tenants to whatever this religion was.”
Lorelei stared at the yellowed paper in Vaana’s hand. Her fingers itched to get a hold of them. Vaana’s brow wrinkled and her lips pinched in an expression of frustration.
“I’m guessing they are any of the gods you’re carrying around,” Lorelei said.
Vaana shook her head. “Some star religion.”
“Well, it is proof that other gods existed,” Lorelei said.
Vaana glared at her. “I’m aware there are other gods. The Order has sought to weed out the heretics for centuries.”
“But why are they heretics?” Lorelei asked. “The Order has always stated the Empress was the One True Goddess, obviously, but what makes these gods any less?”
“The Empress saved us from the Miasma,” Vanna said in a low, cold voice. “Don’t forget that. These other gods could do nothing.”
Lorelei looked to the floor. She couldn’t refute that. She didn’t know enough about any other gods to say different.
“Either way, this place doesn’t have what we are looking for,” Vandermere broke in. “Perhaps we can now make a journey to see the Lord of Fate.”
“Why do you want to see him?” Lorelei asked. “How can he help?”
“He is of my House. And he was the one who originally placed the stones in the vault,” Vandermere said. “He probably knows the most about the gods contained within.”
Lorelei threw her hands up. “You didn’t say he was the one who put them there.”
“Vaana appeared adamant on searching here.” Vandermere looked away. “I thought it was a good idea to humor her.”
“Well?” Lorelei glanced at Vaana. “This Lord of Fate is probably your best option for finding out if you can get rid of these gods.”
Vaana’s jaw ticked as her gaze traveled the hall. “Fine. I suppose we’ll go see the crazy wizard in his tower.”
16
Vandermere and Vaana decided the group should stay the night in the temple to rest up before heading out, and Lorelei had no objections. They left in the morning, and the trek back to Nearon was uneventful. They arrived at night, long after the sun had set.
Lorelei stopped at the wall and glanced back to the Marsh she’d spent so much time in. It was as if Winderward was done with them.
She stared down one of the streets with its broken cobblestone and shacks made of wood. Pieces of trash tumbled on the ground, blown about by the soft breeze which also carried the faint stench of refuse. She glanced at one of the alleys they passed. Anything could be hidden there.
“We need to hire a boat to take us down the river,” Vandermere said, coming up next to her. “The Lord of Fate’s tower is—”
“In the middle of nowhere,” Vaana interjected. “Whatever captain is willing to take us is going to want a lot of money. I suppose I’ll be the one paying?”
Lorelei held her hands up. “My family mostly cut me off when they sent me to the priory.”
“I’ll pay for it,” Vandermere said. “After all, it’s my suggestion.”
“Why are you even coming?” Vaana asked. “I understand why Lorelei is, with her predicament—but you?”
One side of Vandermere’s lips curled up. “Well, to start with, you are carrying around something old that I was given the duty of watching over. Perhaps I want to keep you out of trouble.”
“Who is going to watch the vault?” Lorelei asked. “You still have all those artifacts there that Vaana didn’t take surprisingly. And the Order knows of it.”
Vanna shot her a glare. “I was a little occupied after.”
“I’ll send word to the Head of my House to send a replacement,” he said. “Sometimes it’s needed when the guardia
n falls ill, or something.”
“Why don’t I think these things in me and keeping us out of trouble are the only reasons?” Vaana muttered.
She quickened her pace, moving ahead of Vandermere and Lorelei.
Lorelei glanced at Vandermere with her heart speeding up. Did Vaana mean that Vandermere wanted to stay because of her? He winked at her, then followed Vaana toward the alley ahead.
An arrow flew from the alley. With a grunt, Vaana twisted her torso to the side and shoved her palm out to slap the arrow out of the air. A female figure stepped out of the alley, shouldering her bow.
Lorelei gasped at the sidhe with the two-toned hair dressed in black. Beth, the other companion of the Apostle of Fire, stood in front of them with a bow in her hand. She’d stayed with the Apostle when Lorelei and Vaana had set of for Winderward.
“Beth.” Vaana’s face paled.
“I’m pleased to see you still remembered what I’d taught you, even though you’ve decided to turn your back on the Order.” Beth barely spared Lorelei and Vandermere a glance.
“I haven’t turned my back,” Vaana said. “I just have some things I need to work out.”
“We know what has happened. You have given into heretical gods. You have become an Anathema.” Beth lifted her chin to look down her nose at Vaana. “Surrender yourself to the Order to be cleansed.”
Vaana gulped and stared at the ground.
Lorelei scowled. “What happens in this cleansing?”
“The fire will burn her body to ash, but her soul will be clean and rejoin the reincarnation cycle,” Beth said. “The two of you will be taken in for aiding and abetting her.”
“No, there has to be another way.” Vaana drew her blade from its sheath, lifting her head. “I’ll find another way.”
Beth sighed and drew a small thin sword of her own from a sheath on her belt. “So far you have fallen.”
Vaana ran her hand along the flat of her blade, whispering softly. The blade shimmered with a soft gray light, even in the dark of the night. Vaana shot Beth a look mixed with triumph and pleading.
“The Empress hasn’t abandoned me yet,” Vaana said.
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