Page 5 of Bound Paths
“They were extinct, yes,” Carter finished the sentence she’d left hanging.
“You both seemed so sure of that,” Rose said. “I didn’t question it, but the stories I remember said the cats ferried the spirits of the dead beyond the veil. Why are you both so sure they’re gone?”
Carter and Juliette shared a conspiratorial glance.
“Oh, great. Are there more secrets of the Compass Points?” Rose asked, rolling her eyes.
“This one wasn’t our fault,” Carter said quickly. He looked much more comfortable now that they were discussing something other than his shifted form. He switched effortlessly into the lecture mode from his time as a researcher. “The Compass Points have access to rare pre-Covenant histories. Veilcats went extinct before the Flood. As you can imagine, few texts from that time survived.”
“Don’t say it like it was a natural occurrence,” Juliette added. “The Lady of the Veil killed them all. She ensured their extinction.”
Carter coughed at Juliette’s brutal phrasing. “Yes, that is what history says.”
Rose opened and closed her mouth, unable to determine what she wanted to ask. If the Lady of the Veil ruled over the spirits in the afterlife, she must require someone or something to shepherd them from the continent.
“Why?” she asked.
“I don’t think we have the full story,” Carter said thoughtfully. “The texts are from a single settlement that survived the Flood. Villagers there indicate she went mad and sealed off her borders.”
“Why do you think that’s incorrect?” Juliette asked. Her features were relaxed, but her gaze held a glint Rose recognized. She was intrigued by Carter’s consideration.
“As Rose pointed out within moments…it doesn’t make sense. Spirits have to arrive for the Lady’s realm to thrive. Why would she destroy the shepherds of her realm’s success? The Veil requires balance, just like the continent.” Carter sighed, running his hand through his hair again.
“I’m impressed,” Juliette said as she reappraised the Vesten Point. “The Compass Points before you gave this story no thought. They accepted she went mad and left it at that.” Juliette tilted her head again. “I’ve always been more curious about her story. Especially the more we learn about the gods’ actions on the continent. I’m convinced something here must have threatened the spirits. That’s the only logical reason for the Lady to seal off her realm. The veil cats were likely collateral damage.”
Carter shivered as he nodded at Juliette’s assessment.
“Look at you two, agreeing,” Rose couldn’t help but say. A part of her may be lost to the realm beyond the veil, but a little piece of her broken heart warmed at Juliette and Carter’s cooperation. She doubted they’d ever been able to speak so freely at past Compass Point meetings.
“We agree that it’s suspicious and likely doesn’t tell the whole story. But we don’t truly know why the veil cats no longer live,” Carter said.
“Well…they do live, right?” Rose said pointedly.
Carter met her gaze. It was rare for the Vesten Point to make eye contact, but this glare felt practiced. “You know that’s not what I meant.” His shoulders rose again as she returned the conversation to his shifted form.
“If you’re the first veil cat in”— Rose did the math—“over five hundred years, how do spirits pass beyond the veil?”
“I just assumed it took them longer to find their way across without a guide,” Carter said. “I think the cats help to shepherd, but I don’t think they’re required for the process.” He paused, deciding whether to continue. Rose was thankful when he did. “I’ve been curious if that’s part of what the Nebulus were doing,” he said. “Maybe Zrak had to serve the Lady of the Veil to reside there. That could be why the mist seems to host a tide of spirits. Maybe he helps guide the spirits beyond the veil.”
“That’s a lot of maybe,” Juliette said.
“True.” Carter shrugged. “We could ask Zrak, of course.” A sly smile crossed Carter’s face. Juliette’s eyes narrowed at the taunt.
Rose turned the conversation back on him. “Can you speak with them? The spirits?”
“Not truly. But…” Carter hesitated, glancing back again at the wide-open expanse of the pass, as if he worried someone had snuck up on them while they spoke. “The power I gained with the Burning Coin. It helps.”
Rose wasn’t surprised. Arie had given Rose the Burning Coin, the Vesten artifact, to help her learn about Vesten magic while they traveled. Instead, she’d given Carter the coin to build trust between them. It had been one of her best decisions with the elusive Vesten Point.
The lake was entirely in view as they reached the other side of the pass. Three familiar manor houses were visible on the shore. The house strategically hidden in the trees—Norden house—pulled Rose’s gaze. The land drew her to it both with its beauty and its power. She’d have to reckon with Norden house tonight. Her last visit to Compass Lake had been spent almost entirely at Suden house. But without Luc present—her throat tightened at the thought.
She wished she were approaching Norden house under better circumstances. How badly she wished Luc could join her at her newly claimed seat. She wanted her partner to celebrate with.
The scene of Luc throwing himself and Aterra through the hole between realms replayed in her head. It stole the air from her lungs. No conversation, not even about the continent’s fate, could distract her for long.
Rose pulled herself from her thoughts. “Helps with what?”
Carter looked relieved to hear her speak again. Her anguish must have been evident on her face, though he and Juliette wisely left her to her emotions.
