Page 14 of Requiem of Silence

What’s hidden within you is blinding.

A startling, radiant reminder of all

that has come before and is yet to be.

Its concealment will not last.

—THE HARMONY OF BEING

“Any ideas?” Jasminda asked as she and Oola forced the enraged wraiths back again and again with blasts of air.

“I have not done battle in many years and never against ones such as these.”

“How did you stop that thing?” She motioned over her shoulder to where the faded, graying shadow was still locked in place, hovering in the air.

“Before they take hosts, spirits are vulnerable. But it is temporary. I created a cage of Earthsong—pure life energy that thespirit must drain with Nethersong. But feeding a constant stream of energy will maintain it, though it is costly.”

Oola was intense, some strain showing in Her eyes. “We need to immobilize them,” She said as the men raced toward them again.

“I’ve got the one on the left.” Jasminda took a deep breath and dropped the temperature of the air around her wraith, freezing him. His skin turned blue, and his movement stopped midstep. But seconds later he shook free and began running against the wind she brought up to keep him back.

They had amazing speed and strength and seemingly endless stamina. Oola spun Her target into a miniature cyclone then threw him against the wall. He emerged from the huge dent in the plaster unfazed. Undamaged. Of course, he was already dead.

Lightning had little effect on them nor any other natural phenomenon either of them could conjure in the palace. Jasminda was in the midst of ripping the marble tiles from the ceiling to smash against the men, when the sound of bells clanging began again inside the Council Room. Her attention momentarily diverted by the noise, she paid for it dearly as a wraith crashed into her with immeasurable force. Her skull cracked against the ground, and several bones broke from the impact. She managed to tilt her head away in time to miss the fist that punched straight through the carpeting and into the cement below. The wraith pulled his arm back and did not bat an eye.

The clanging, in a different tone from the bells that had marked their arrival, grew louder and the man on top of her reluctantly stood—as if compelled by the sound. Jasminda lay heaving, pain radiating from her head, neck, and back, while Oola stood stoic as ever watching as the two wraiths slumped to the ground.The spirit shadows flew out of the bodies and the third, hovering shadow gave a final shiver then darted with the others back through the closed door of the Council Room. A moment later, the ringing stopped.

Jasminda lay on the ground, directing Earthsong to heal her various wounds. Exhausted, she rolled to her side to find her two Guards lying unconscious. Their bodies and clothes had transformed back to normal, but they were far from unscathed. All of the injuries that she and Oola had inflicted on the wraiths had been borne on the bodies of the hosts. The Goddess Awoken was already healing the men of the internal and external damage they’d taken during the fighting.

More Guardsmen came running up with their leader, Captain Bareen, in front. Jasminda stood as Oola faced the men.

“All is well,” Oola said calmly. Jasminda cautiously opened the door to the Council Room in order to be sure. Blessedly, the portal was closed and the room was empty and silent as a tomb.

“I was demonstrating something to the queen,” the Goddess continued, “and got a bit carried away.” She motioned toward the devastation evident on the walls and floor, tapestries ripped and hanging off the walls, and debris everywhere.

The two Guardsmen who had been the unlucky hosts for the spirits blinked, appearing confused. One held a hand to his head, while his partner looked around at the damage to the hallway in obvious shock. Neither seemed to remember their ordeal.

“These men will have the rest of the day off in appreciation for their unwitting participation in my demonstration.” Oola smiled beatifically, dazzling everyone present. Jasminda bit her tongue and kept from rolling her eyes.

“Certainly, Your Excellency,” Captain Bareen said. “Lenos, Erseen, you’re relieved.”

The men saluted and then walked away. They would need sleep after being healed of such severe injuries.

“Captain,” Jasminda said, “please alert the steward to the need for repairs in this hallway. And I’m sorry for alarming you.”

“No apology necessary, Your Majesty.” He bowed and then led his men away to inspect the mess.

Jasminda gave Oola a hard look that the woman brushed off. “Come, we must talk,” She said.

They ended up in the eastern gardens after all, having moved through the corridors in silence. In fact, none of the servants, staff, or aristocrats they’d passed on the way had acknowledged either the queen or the Goddess Awoken at all. Considering the state of Jasminda’s dress—dirty and torn—that was a good thing. Oola must have diverted everyone’s attention with Her Song. Of course, She still looked perfectly put together.

Once in the garden, one of Oola’s favorite spots, which overlooked the city with a view of the ocean beyond, the Goddess sat lightly on a stone bench. Jasminda remained standing. Oola’s gaze tracked the progress of a lone ship a ways off. Not many were docking in the port due to the embargo by the king of Raun and her allies.

“An attack of this kind inside the palace is unique,” the Goddess said, breaking their silence.

“Yes, so why keep it quiet?”

Oola pursed Her lips. “Knowledge of it would only serve as fodder for your enemies.”

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