Page 148 of Requiem of Silence

“No.” He batted her away. “Don’t want any of your… witchcraft.”

Jasminda sighed. “Very well then, there are others I can help.” Annoyingly, Oola was not seeing to the other victims, instead She was staring up at the dark portal still hanging in the sky like a reverse moon.

“I will die… true to my principles,” Zann Biddell said, breath rasping. “My people will know… that I was not moved.”

Jasminda stood, her legs wobbly. “You will die a fool. Andyourpeoplewill not know anything. You think I will make you a martyr?” She shook her head and moved on to the next person needing aid.

“Tell them,” Biddell wailed, his voice growing thin. He coughed blood and his body shuddered. “Tell them… please.”

But Jasminda had already moved on.

After she’d seen to the worst cases, she stalked over to Oola. “Thank you for helping.” Her sarcasm was lost on the woman, who hadn’t yet stopped staring at the portal. “What do you think happened? With that light?”

“I do not know,” She said, and launched into the air.

“Wait!” Jasminda cried.

There was another dark figure in the sky, heading north, and Oola followed it up the coastline. As Jasminda watched the Goddess disappear, Yllis stepped up beside her.

“You should go after Her. This is not over yet.” His expression was contemplative, but worry settled in around his eyes. “There are Singers nearby who will help the rest.”

Jasminda nodded and reached for the obelisk’s power. Mastering the flying spell had never been on the top of her to-do list, but now with the additional focusing properties, she found it easier. Controlling the air currents to lift her into the air took concentration. She wobbled a bit as she rose one pace then two into the air. Quickly though, the freedom from gravity became liberating.

She moved slowly at first, testing herself before darting forward more quickly. “I understand why She likes it so much,” she muttered.

Oola had flown north then west, headed toward the ocean. Jasminda went after Her, both chasing the initial figure who suddenly dropped from the sky like a missile. Oola dove for it with Jasminda steadily gaining speed behind Her.

The Goddess must have used Earthsong to catch the projectile before it hit the ground. The figure’s descent slowed and it floated down to the beach on a cushion of air. As Jasminda reduced speed and grew closer to the ground she recognized the unconscious form of the True Father.

His face was placid, free of the anger and hatred and pain Jasminda had witnessed from him before. Her own landing left something to be desired. She sprawled in the sand, her knees and palms smarting, before righting herself and approaching Oola and Eero.

“What happened to him?”

Oola crouched next to Her brother. “He used up all the Songs he stole.”

Eero’s chest rose with his breath, and he roused. Jasminda readied herself for an attack. But the man simply opened his amber eyes to stare up at his twin sister.

“Have I done it? Have I won?” His voice was different, the signature rasp wasn’t present. He almost sounded like a normal man.

Oola shook Her head. “No, Eero. You haven’t.” She stroked his wild hair away from his face, which was gaunt and drawn. Freckles peppered his skin, and deep lines framed his eyes.

A soft thud sounded just behind her and Darvyn was there with Kyara in his arms. He set her on her feet and the three of them peered down on the pathetic creature lying on the sand.

“What’s happened?” Kyara asked.

“His power is drained.” Jasminda loosened the grip of the knife she didn’t remember palming. “The wraiths at the cemetery?”

“Gone.” Kyara’s voice cracked. “We had some unexpected help, but all the wraiths are gone everywhere.”

Jasminda breathed deeply, though true relief was elusive. Eero still had the ability to steal his sister’s Song. He needed tobe watched closely since Oola’s mindset was still uncertain where Her brother was concerned.

But Eero’s hands were empty and tears filled his eyes. Jasminda was unmoved, but Oola cried with him. She leaned in to kiss his forehead and then stood, backing away.

“I love you, brother. Always remember that. And I will see you again in the next world.” Then She spun around and walked off down the beach, turning Her back on them.

“What is She doing?” Jasminda asked.

Darvyn pursed his lips. “Coward,” he said under his breath.

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