Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Feeling somewhat grim, I twisted back to face Khalida. “I never liked the guy, but I wouldn’t wish that death on anyone.”
She grimaced. “They say it feels like there’s a burning hot pressure building in your head while knives are stabbing and slashing open your brain. I had a feeling that he would struggle to survive coming into his power. He was more edgy and restless than any other candidate.”
I’d never admit it aloud, but I had worried that I might not live through it either. Or even that I might instead be driven insane by it. A weight had slid from my shoulders once my system officially bonded with the ichor.
“It’s strange that not all godkin can handle it,” Soule remarked beside me. “I don’t see why it would destroy some—whether physically or mentally—but not others.”
Across from him, Nakoa drained her tankard. “Me neither. The Sovereigns have never explained.”
Khalida suddenly straightened in her seat, an odd glint in her eye. She cut her gaze to the male sitting on my other side. “Jelani, you should hug Anara,” she advised. Strongly.
His brow pinched. “What?”
“Or just drape your arm over her shoulders. Or gently pack her back. Something.” Khalida waved her hand, urging him to do as told.
I silently groaned. The woman was clearly still intent on using him to rouse jealousy in Talon. For her to all but order the Delphiae to touch me, Talon had to be close by.
Jelani hadn’t cottoned onto what she was doing, hence why he right then looked from me to her wearing a lost expression. “Why?”
Khalida’s mouth tightened. “Have some compassion. One of her fellow candidates just died. She needs comfort.”
His frown deepened. “She’s not upset about it.”
I sighed at her. “What will it take to make you stop?”
“For me to get my own way in this,” she shamelessly stated.
Nakoa’s brows drew together. “What am I missing?”
“I’m just trying to help Anara get a bedtime playmate,” Khalida fudged. “Quite a few males here give her the eye. If they think they have competition, they’ll act sooner rather than later once she’s officially part of the Order.”
Nakoa let out a thoughtful hum. “I don’t think you need to use Jelani to spur them into making a move. Not with the way others look at her.”
I flicked up my brow. “What, leery? Dubious? Uneasy?” Several such looks had been sent my way since I arrived at Deimos.
Khalida pulled a face. “Okay, some people give you weird looks,” she conceded. “But that’s only because you’re the first human Sayer and they don’t know what that means.”
A Sayer who had carried dormant power until now. Which the Sovereigns would soon learn. I would likely get called before them sometime this morning, if not later on. I wasn’t looking forward to that.
“It won’t stop officiates from welcoming you into the Order, if that worries you,” Soule went on.
“It does,” I said.
Khalida let out a pfft sound. “No, it doesn’t. You’re just trying to divert everyone’s attention from the original topic of conversation.”
And it had been working right up until she opened her big mouth. “It wasn’t boring you? Because I was bored.”
Khalida’s lips thinned. “Jelani, hug her already.”
The male Delphiae shook his head, his lips twitching. “I’d rather stay out of it.”
Wise man.
She huffed. “Soule, you do it.”
Nakoa’s eyes blazed into his. “Don’t even dare.”
Soule’s mouth quirked. “But you and I aren’t exclusive, right?”
Pointing her fork at him, Nakoa said, “Anara is off-limits.”
“Like pretty much every other woman here?” he asked, his voice dry.
“Not every woman.”
“So who wouldn’t you care if I took to my bed?”
Nakoa clamped her lips shut.
Khalida let out a tired sigh. “Face it, Nakoa, you two are exclusive.”
A loud whistle rang out that called for everyone’s attention. As a hush instantly fell, I tracked the sound to the hall’s doorway, where Talon and Ajax stood.
“Candidates, get your asses outside,” ordered Ajax as the two males then walked out.
I stood, lifting my hand at my group in a brief wave. “I’ll see you later.” My brows met as Quillen rose, clearly ready to follow. “You’re coming?”
He nodded. “So is Jelani,” he said just as the other male also got to his feet. “Several officiates have been instructed to participate in today’s Xalbia-exercises.”
Striding toward the front door, I inwardly winced as I walked over the spot where one officiate had met his end—the aisle between the tables was too narrow to avoid it.
I sighed. My day had started off good, since I had much to smile about: It was day thirty-nine of Xalbia, my dormant power had finally surfaced, and I would soon be part of the Black Tapestry. I’d also woken to find a Laelap pup sleeping on my chest, cute as a button—always a mood-lifter. I hoped my day wasn’t about to get worse, but with Xalbia, you just never knew.