Page 129 of Damned and Broken Gods
I do trust her. I trust her with my life, but it doesn’t stop the serpent from writhing.
“She’s been through so much. Defeating the mirrors drained her fire. She can’t feel it, but I do. She needs to recharge, and this…this is too much. Taking her identity…”
Yes, they have taken her identity. But she has her soul. Her soul holds the memories of many lifetimes. She will survive this. She will remember.
He sounds so sure that it calms me.
Or…the drawling voice says.I could go spend a little time with her.
I feel the voice of authority go still as stone in my mind, and my stomach contracts. How can a voice in my head go and be with Leela, unless… “No. I won’t allow you to invade her mind through her connection to me.”
Invade her… He lets out a bark of laughter. I don’t need to get into anyone’s mind. I’m not trapped like the two of you.
I feel him begin to fade. “What’s happening?”
This isn’t a good idea,the voice of authority says.
And yet, you’re not stopping me…he singsongs.I’ll be back soon.
Silence falls. “How? How has he gone?”
A deep sigh resonates in my mind before the voice speaks.C’ael is not bound to form, and our connection to you now allows him a little freedom to roam if I let him.
“You control him?”
Sometimes.
“And you? Who are you?”
I’m not sure. Sometimes I am mortal and others I am a god. But most of all I am a ghost. Your pain called to me. Your mission stirred me into waking, and you invited me into your mind through your dreams.
He wasn’t lying and yet, he wasn’t telling me the whole truth either. I could sense it. “What’s your name?”
You may call me Ilyarien. You have given me harbor, and I am yours to command.
Chapter 48
Who Needs A Name Anyway?
LEELA
The fire crackled as Number Three added more wood. He had a nice face, kind eyes, and a smile that put me at ease. Number One stood a little apart, hands on hips, her eyes on the river. She had leader qualities.
Number Two looked sullen, barely speaking, her attention on the flames, and Number Four sat silent, red-rimmed eyes on a spot somewhere above the flames.
How long had we sat around this fire, waiting for something to happen? For our memories to return and our names to surface? To recall why the heck we were here in the first place, and whereherewas?
Number Three joined us. “I don’t think anyone else is coming. It’s been a while, and you all arrived within…” She frowned. “Well, there wasn’t this much time between each arrival.”
“What if we take the boat back?” Number Four said. “Maybe…maybe if we go back, we’ll remember?”
Her suggestion sparked something in me. “I think we remembered.Beforewe took the boat.”
Number One nodded. “Yeah, I think so too. But I don’t think going back will help.”
“We have to go forward,” Number Two said, her jaw clenched in determination. “Sitting around this flame will do nothing to help us.”
“How long have you been here? I mean…Why did you build a fire and wait?”
