Page 159 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“I’m glad.”
“Me too.” She took a sip of her tea, then continued, “So it took a while before I went to Saren Sanctum in the Black Fortress. I tried to speak to Fate, but she didn’t answer.”
Fate was Keith’s patron deity, and the largest temple in Nilheim. Fate was also the driving force behind Gerda’s [Oracle] abilities.
Again, he couldn’t understandwhy.
“It wasn’t until months later, when I leveled up to forty and got oracle powers and started getting actual direct messages from Fate that I thought I should go visit her again … But I’ve never been in the habit of going to church, and why start when Fate wasliterallyup in my notifications telling me things.”
“Still …” Julian considered then stood, holding out his hand. “Want to try going now?”
Gerda choked. “Now?!”
“You wanted to find a way back … We can ask now.” The words came out normal, but inside, he felt like he was trying to swim up a raging waterfall justto hold a half smile. “The other gods might have a way. Life and Death might know, or Dream.”
“Why Dream?” She raised an eyebrow.
“They are in charge of the soul.” He added, “Memories are the embroidery to the fabric of the soul, and if you’d merely taken Gerda’s body, I don’t think you should have her memories as well. It’s something to ask about.”
“I don’t want to,” Gerda stated, rejecting his offer.
Julian withdrew his hand and stared down at his troll. For all that she was different, this was the first time he’d thought he couldn’t understand her. Everyone knew that the gods were there. They were in the system messages; their power flowed through each person who wielded an ability, and their voice came readily in times of need.
It was just the natural thing to do.
“But—”
“What if I’m reallynotsupposed to be here? What if the gods shunt me back to my world without a by-your-leave? Or worse, Carter shows up to put me to rest?”
Her reasoning was a cold reality he hadn’t considered. “Who’s Carter?”
“The chosen of Death. I hate that guy—he’simpossibleto reason with.” Gerda’s brows knit and her jaw clenched. “So why draw attention to myself? I’d rather have the chance to make my own decisions, and I don’t regret any of the ones I’ve made so far … except maybe one.”
Gerda’s eyes met his. “I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with you.”
CHAPTER 87
I Don’t Think That Umbrella Is Going to Protect You from Meteorites
Gerda
I said the words because I was a cruel idiot.
Sitting here, telling Julian I was looking for a way to leave, but then telling him I loved him.
My resolve was breaking but not broken. I’d set out on my search to the ends of Valaria, and things were finally coming to a close.
Julian’s eyes glinted with some powerful emotion before he closed them, drew breath, and opened them again. He was still standing, and took the single step needed to bring him closer. From the tension that cut the air and his earlier frustrations, a half-forgotten fear crept into my throat. Years of survival instinct made me flinch as he leaned down and placed a hand on the table, trapping me in my chair. Anyone would’ve started shaking under the intensity, I’m sure.
“Good,” he said softly, dropping a kiss on my forehead.
Straightening, he turned away, summoning his heavy winter jacket and equipping it. “Then let’s go get this over with.”
Alice wasn’t there when we portaled onto the drawbridge at the Northern Fortress. Just to be sure, I was holding Nova’s Celestial Pendant, the treasure from season two that glowed in the presence of other celestials.
Its yellow gemstone remained constant.
“You’re back!” Sir Tully waved from on top of the parapets. The paladin jumped down and landed in front of us with a gentle clang of armor. “We haven’t seen any sign of Guild Mistress Alice since you left. Orders, Your Grace?”
