Page 2 of Tangled Power
That felt like a condemnation to Arie, but he couldn’t figure out what it was for. He walked slowly around the three tables. The only reason to need samples of their magic would be to compare against a future, flawed iteration.
“So, this particular hypothetical path…” he started, his hands slipping into his pockets. “We’re assuming one of the remaining gods’ magic has been corrupted…and this test would identify which one?” he mused. “You’re expecting one of us to do something to upset the delicate balance we’re sacrificing so much to preserve?” Zrak didn’t interrupt. He just held Arie’s gaze as he completed his thought. “Isn’t that why we created the fae courts? Shouldn’t they be able to restrain us?”
“How are the fae courts to know one of the gods has upset the balance?” Zrak asked. “By the time they see signs of corruption on the continent, it may be too late.” Zrak shook his head. “No. You three must be the first line of defense.”
That was fair. It’s not like the gods had to present themselves to the fae leaders with any regularity.
“So, we test each other and then notify the Compass Points? And they unify to take care of it?” Arie laughed to himself. It was a dark laugh, though, devoid of humor. Maybe this plan did have holes in it. “Have you checked in on the fae courts and their leaders? It’s been only weeks since Creation, and already, they isolate themselves. I’m sure they would have fled to the four corners of the continent, putting as much distance between themselves as possible, if we hadn’t made their seats of power at Compass Lake.”
Zrak shrugged as if he had not a care in the world, instead of days left of existence. “They need time to adjust to their power. We can’t expect them to be benevolent from day one. Think about what we did with ours.”
When he put it that way, Arie realized his point. The Compass Points only had a fraction of the gods’ power, but the gods had also done much worse with theirs. The fae would go through phases. First, hoarding and protecting their power, then hopefully figuring out how to use it for the good of the continent.
“Fine.” Arie waved his hand at the vials. “So, your assumption is”—he started listing items off his fingers—“first, we create the fae, giving the continent the means to unite and overpower a god should we abuse our position again. Second, you sacrifice yourself to correct the balance.” He flicked out a third finger. “Third, one of the remaining gods ignores said sacrifice and continues to pursue self-interest and power, sending the continent careening toward untold devastation…again.” He looked around the cavern. “When that happens, you want me to bring Aterra and Aurora down here for a little get-together, so we can find whose magic has been corrupted. Do I have that right?” The pitch of his voice rose in exasperation with his speech.
“That sums it up nicely. Very astute,” Zrak said. His lips were pushed together in a flat line, like he was desperately trying to fight another smile.
“This isn’t funny!” Arie shouted. “How could you think we’d be dumb enough to need this test when you’re literally giving your existence to prevent something like this from happening?” Arie’s voice echoed through the mountain cavern around them. “Forget about the fae for a moment. Why would one of the gods risk it? We just saw what our selfishness caused.”
Zrak moved to take Arie’s shoulders, his long fingers digging into the muscle. He gripped tight until Arie raised his eyes to meet Zrak’s. “I don’t think this is funny, Arie, but it is necessary. I want to believe this plan won’t be needed, but as you said, I’m sacrificing my existence on this plane. I will not leave it to chance.”
Arie nodded. He supposed that was Zrak’s right. His shoulders strained to sag in Zrak’s hold, but Zrak’s fingers dug in, forcing him to maintain eye contact for a little longer.
“How do you know it won’t be me then?” Arie asked quietly.
“Oh, Arie.” His smile was soft. “I’m not sure you’ll be capable once I’m gone.”
Arie wondered at that. It spoke to a depth of understanding between him and Zrak. Arie liked to play flippant but felt his friend’s impending sacrifice like a wild animal gnawing in his stomach. There was no way he’d continue on their selfish path once Zrak was gone. Part of him was glad that Zrak knew it too. “But you’re not sure about Aurora and Aterra?” Arie couldn’t help but ask.
“I know what Aurora means to you and I’m glad you two finally found each other. This isn’t a moral judgment on her or Aterra. It would simply be remiss not to have contingencies in place.”
Zrak’s gaze drifted from Arie’s. The thousand-yard stare he’d perfected usually meant that he knew more than he was saying.
Arie squeezed his eyes shut as if wishing the conversation to end but knowing he should prepare for the worst. “What do you need me to do?”
“Bring them here when the time is right. Ensure the test is taken by all three of you at the same time.”
“And how exactly do we take this test?” Arie asked, looking at the vials again.
“All three of you stand together over there.” Zrak gestured toward the staircase. “Call your magic. The one unable to do so will be the one who’s corrupted.”
“How do you know that?” Arie asked.
“The wild magic you’ve felt here? That amplification of your power? It’s a remnant of our misuse of magic. It can’t be controlled, and it is selective in how it affects us. It is bornof instability, and is thus drawn to volatile magic.” A look of concern crossed Zrak’s face as he continued. “It’s, of course, dangerous to use in this way. It will be difficult to control should it find corruption, but it’s all we’ve got.” Zrak gave Arie a stern look. “Make sure no one is in the temple or on the mountain should you take the test.”
Arie nodded. After feeling the fire beneath his skin, he didn’t doubt Zrak’s words. Over their existence together, Arie had learned Zrak’s knowledge of magic was greater than most.
“What will the Compass Points do with the god or goddess who has disrespected your sacrifice? How will they stop them?” Arie asked.
“We’ve given them the ability.” Zrak looked tired, finally releasing Arie’s shoulders from his hold. “The execution is something they will need to figure out together.”
CHAPTER ONE
“You really think now is the time to make a weapon?” Luc’s voice was still groggy while pulling a shirt over his head and entering the Suden workshop.
Rose already had the fire going. She’d been at it for hours. In some recent past, she’d hoped to drift off to sleep for one more night without the responsibilities of a Compass Point, but that was beyond her grasp. At least Luc had given her a few hours of bliss—their relationship so new and begging to be explored. Her magic strained toward him as he walked in. There was awantingbetween their magic she’d never experienced before. Hiding her power for the last ten years gave her no indication of whether this was normal between fae lovers. She attempted to refocus on her task, with her mind racing through the next steps to save the continent.
“Yes,” she said, glaring at him. “I obviously do.” Well in the midst of forging, she gestured to the work before her. “When else will we have time to make you a weapon?”
