Page 61 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

“Yes, you do.” He released my hand and got to his feet, pacing in front of me. “When any of our anointed witches come into power, they send out a call. The call is one of power that resonates with ours. It is so we can find them and guide them through their initiation into magic. That’s the pulse he mentioned. It’s when your power swells until it explodes out of you. It’s like a giant bell tolling, calling the gods to you.”

“Gods? As in more than you and your brother?” I asked.

His answer wasn’t comforting. “I’ve been slumbering for a very long time, Ally. I don’t know who is still lingering or who has moved on. When I settled down for my rest, there were many of us. It has been millennia since then.”

Well, that didn’t make me feel any better.

“Whatever happens, Ally, I promise you that I am here to help you. No matter what. If you are unable to wake me, I will still be here if you need me. You are one of the Anointed and it is my duty to teach you.”

“What does that even mean, that I’m Anointed?” I asked. “And why didn’t you tell me before now?” My voice was getting louder as I asked my questions.

Talant came to sit on the sleeping platform next to me. “I’m going to tell you, but I want you to promise me that you won’t freak out and run away when I do.”

My eyes bulged. “Is it dangerous? Am I some kind of blood sacrifice?”

He shook his head. “By the gods, Ally, no, of course you’re not. Where would you get an idea like that?”

“You’re trying to make me promise not to freak out and run away when you tell me, which means I probably won’t like the answer. Plus, you haven’t mentioned this in all the time we’ve been talking,” I replied. “So, the worst-case scenario is what came to mind.”

“No one is going to sacrifice you,” Talant said. “But the information I’m about to impart can be overwhelming. Especially if you’ve spent the bulk of your life not only ignorant of what it means but also thinking you have no magic at all. That’s why I didn’t tell you before now. You were already struggling to accept the fact that you were a witch. I feared you would shut me out completely if I told you that you’re so much more.”

I didn’t admit it aloud, but I knew he was right. I probably wouldn’t have handled the news well.

“What does it mean, Tal? Just tell me already because whatever it is, it can’t be worse than what my brain is coming up with.”

“The Anointed are what we call witches and warlocks with the potential to ascend and become what we are.”

My entire body locked up. I couldn’t breathe. Or blink. I think even my heart stopped beating. Just when I thought I was going to pass out, my heart exploded into a wild rhythm, and I sucked in a hard, ragged breath.

“What did you say?” I choked out. Before he could answer my question, I answered it myself. “Because I thought you said that I would become a goddess.”

Talant scowled at me. “See? This is why I didn’t tell you before now.” He sighed. “I said you had the potential to become a goddess. Not that you would. It is a possibility, not a certainty.”

“How is that even possible?” I asked. “And why haven’t I heard of this before now? This is important for witches and warlocks to know!”

Talant raised his hands. “Slow down, Ally. I’ll answer your questions the best I can, but I can’t tell you everything you need to know in one night. I promise I will help you with whatever you need. I won’t leave you alone and I will protect you.”

I realized I was hyperventilating and took a moment to control my breathing. I forced myself to inhale slowly and then exhale one small stream of air. My lungs wanted to expand again, but I waited until they were empty. Then, I did it again.

Once I had my breath under control, I spoke. “Why haven’t I heard of this before now? My aunt is a walking, talking encyclopedia on the history of witches and warlocks, magic, spellwork. She’s the ultimate witch. I don’t think I’ve met anyone else with as much knowledge about the origins and inner workings of magic as her, not even scholars who have won awards and published books on the subject. If she knew about this, she would have told me.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to that question, Ally. I haven’t been in the world for over a thousand years. Time has moved on without me and I don’t know why the knowledge of the Anointed has been abandoned.”

I knew he was right and that I shouldn’t expect him to have all the answers, but at the same time, he was a god. He should be able to answer some of my questions.

“How would I become a goddess?” I asked. “I mean, I’m not sure I would want to be, but, either way, I should know so I can either make sure to do or not do whatever it is.”

Talant gave me a rueful look. “I’m afraid that’s one of those questions that I can’t answer in one night. Remember how I told you that intent was the most important part of magic?”

I nodded.

“Well, this is similar. If your intent is to gather and grow in power, to ascend to godhood, then the magic follows your lead.” He sighed. “But I will warn you there is always a heavy price to this. And it is usually that which we love the most. Only those whose intentions are pure and for the good of mankind ascend without paying that price. And, even then, it’s because they have sacrificed of themselves in some way. They take the burden of payment onto their own soul rather than passing it to another. They are truly selfless and that is merely another type of sacrifice.”

I swallowed hard. Nope, I didn’t think I wanted to be a goddess. Especially if it meant that I might live for thousands of years. I didn’t know what the gargoyle lifespan was, but I was pretty sure that it wasn’t as long as Talant’s.

“You’re right, that is a lot of information,” I finally said.

“It is,” he agreed. “But you aren’t in this alone. I will help you.”

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