Page 122 of Damned and Broken Gods
“Who said that?”
He forgets too easily.
That’s how it’s meant to be.This second voice is a soul deep vibration.
I’ve heard it too, and…are they in my head?
Hardly useful,the first voice says.
My pulse beats harder, panic squeezing my chest, because yes, they are in my head, Inside my fucking mind.
Be silent. You’re confusing him,the second voice says.
Me?I’m confusing him?Are you sure he’s the one?
“Who are you? What’s happening?”
The second voice, the one of authority, speaks.Araz, do not be alarmed. We mean you no harm.
The revenant attack at sea. The poison. It must have allowed something…somethings to enter me somehow. I’m possessed. I need to fight this. Fight them.
Soft laughter fills my mind.Possessed? Oh, Araz, you have no idea,the first voice drawls.
Be silent!the second orders.Araz, listen to me.You’re in the labyrinth. In the trial. Leela has begun, and you must go to her. Help her.
Leela. Yes. I need to focus on Leela. This, whatever it is, can wait. “How do I go to her? I’m trapped. I can’t fucking move.”
Your body is trapped, but your mind is free. You can reach her with your thoughts. Through your connection to her.
“We can’t mindspeak.”
You can while in here. Focus on her image. Her smile. Her laughter…His voice softens to an ache…The way her touch feels on your skin.
And you might want to hurry up about it,the first voice says.
The trial has begun.
I have no idea who these voices are or what they want with me, but right now, the only thing that matters is Leela, so I close my eyes and reach for our connection.
Reaching for her.
Leela…
Chapter 45
The Mirror Doesn’t Lie…Or Does It?
LEELA
The darkness was viscous and invasive, rippling over my skin, sucking at me and swallowing me whole. I tightened my grip on Dharma and Joe, anchored by their answering squeeze.
I held my breath, air burning my lungs until the darkness receded, revealing a gray flagstone chamber lit by soft amber light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. There were no windows. No entrance or exit.
To the right were a set of steps that vanished into the ceiling, and to the left another set of steps descended into the dark.
I opened my mouth to speak as a soft androgenous voice filled the chamber.
“Choose the path. Upward or downward. There is no going back once the choice is made.”
