Page 137 of Children of Fallen Gods

I was so angry I could barely speak, barely think. I poured all of that rage into my magic, let Reshaye consume it. It burned at my skin in licks of white flames and red butterflies rising to the sky.

The pain was immeasurable. My magic was nearly depleted, my arms dripping with blood. The Threllians saw only the strength of my performance, but out of the corner of my eye I saw Max step forward, a hand outstretched. He knew how close I was to the edge.

I shot him a warning glance:Don’t. Not yet.

I needed them to see. I needed them to see a version of me that was powerful enough to earn their respect. I needed them to see a version of me powerful enough tobelievein.

Look at me, I commanded, and they all obeyed.

“I have won Zeryth Aldris’s war,” I said. “And now Iwillwin ours. We are the children of fallen gods and lost empires. We are the memories of bones in the plains. And we are more than theyeverthought we would be.”

My eyes met the old woman’s. Reshaye threw itself at my mental walls, and I had to put everything I had into catching it, channeling its magic into my performance.

I stumbled, righting myself immediately, so quickly no one would notice. No one except for Max, who I could feel watching me, ready.

But I was not done. Not yet.

“Remember that, when you doubt me,” I snarled. “I made you a promise. I intend to keep it.”

I couldn’t hold on anymore.

I dropped my sword and turned to Max. One look, and he knew what I needed. I kept my back straight and steps measured as I walked away. Max withdrew paper and drew his Stratagram, bringing us back to the front steps of the Towers.

I looked up at them, and they seemed to bend over me.

I made sure no one was there, no one watching, when I let him catch me.

Chapter Forty-Six

Tisaanah

Isensed… curiosity.

The thing that stood before me wasn’t a person. No, just a shadow of a shadow. It circled me, examining.

I know you,it whispered.

I knew it too, in a way I didn’t understand. Like the scent left behind in a familiar body’s wake, or the fog hanging in winter air after a warm breath.

I have been looking for you,the voice murmured,for so long.

Reshaye shuddered, pulling away.

A flicker of hurt.

You do not remember me?

{What does it mean to remember? A memory is the imprint of a past story, and all of mine have been ripped away.}

The shadow pushed closer. It was difficult, I could tell, like it had to fight a rising tide.

What are you?I asked.Where are you?

My curiosity drew me closer — and then I recoiled with a gasp.

The vision only lasted for a split second, consisting of fragmented images.

I saw Ara burning, cities and palaces reduced to mere husks. A field full of corpses, piled upon each other, their flesh ribbons of rot. The oceans rising, teeming with creatures of teeth and shadow and destruction.

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