Page 48 of The Cerulean Sister
But I am in too much shock to even consider her padded words at dinner as a betrayal. I nod to her to acknowledge the hurt and worry on her face. It's all I can give her for now; it's all I have after hearing such horror.
"We will need more details for these accusations. Lord General, was this part of the previous investigation into this temple's activity?" Emperor Angara asks.
"No, Emperor. The previous was an investigation into the manipulation of birth rates. Ritual sacrifice was not in the reports or official order."
Calliape shifts on her feet uncomfortably now under a magnifying glass for her accusations that have not been backed up in the eyes of the council.
I want to scream at them to send someone now, to make sure Leema is ok. To prove Selene is mistaken or she is bitter and made the entire thing up to keep Calliape there on Frith, to deter her interest in going back to the place Selene and her mother left.
"This former high priestess, you said she showed you.Showedyou memories?" Chancellor Reed narrows his eyes. "How does one show memories?"
"My aunt, Selene . . . she has a gift similar to Priestess Ferren's." Calliape innocently gestures to me.
"I see, and forgive me, but I am not prolific in divine gifts. Could you relay those details? Could you demonstrate them? A third account visually is better than a second account spoken," he says.
"Well, I do not have?—"
"I will do it," I say before I can stop myself.
I can hear 99 move closer to me, his armor making an almost silent crinkle sound, like he started to reach for me but stopped.
"If Calliape can show me what she saw in Selene's memories, then I can show someone else," I offer.
A council member groans like it's a ridiculous thing to say, but I have no other way of speeding this up. We have been here for hours and the request has been submitted, but little has been done to say whether they have accepted or denied it.
I want to show them whatever it is that has Calliape so rattled that she thought she could not say it to me at dinner so she came to the capital to testify when I know she hates it here. I want this over with, and if doing a ridiculous act of relaying messages or memories is how I convince them to check on my sister, then so be it.
I stand, my impatience and worry for Leema making me bold and perhaps disrespectful. "I will need someone to grant me permission into their mind’s eye to do so. You have my word I will only send the memories and images from Calliape, nothing more."
"This is ludicrous," an ancient-looking man in the corner of the council table snaps. "We are Viathans. We do not entertain such things from the priestess order. Such . . . such . . . idiocy!" His voice is shaky with age.
"I will participate," Chancellor Reed volunteers, ignoring the old man's outburst.
The emperors stare at him in surprise. It is clear they either have no intention of volunteering or know that if there is a risk, they should not be the ones to take it.
Lady Trist steps forward, her chin up and poised. "I would also be honored to wit?—"
"Not you," 99 barks at her, his hands resting on the backrest of my chair like a permanent guardian. His stoic approval doessomething to me, only fueling the need to take control of this ridiculous meeting.
"A second should be present to ensure neutrality." Lord General points his statement at Chancellor Reed. "I will hear the testimony. I was there when the first was made, when the 98th Commander submitted similar claims. I will hear these as well."
Watching the two men stand from their seats and walk toward me sends a cold chill down my spine that I have offered to, in fact, put on a show of sorts for the emperors who seemed so bored until now. But I am desperate.
I look to Calliape, wondering if she will protest. She has yet to object to what we are about to do, but her wide eyes tell me she is uncomfortable.
"Calliape, are you ok with this?"I mentally nudge her, seeking an anchor in her mind's eye or a refusal to continue.
"I want to help. Ferren, I am so sorry."
"You are here now. That's what matters."I reach for her hand, carefully approaching.
"It is awful, Ferren, but I will show you."
"Proceed, Priestess Ferren," Emperor Angara says and leans on the arm of her metal throne to get a better view.
I have never tethered in this way before, but I know if I am connected to all three of them, I can send whatever Calliape shows me to their minds as she does or shortly after, like relaying a message and repeating it.
I glance back at 99, who still stands with his fist tightly gripping my chair, before lining myself closer to Calliape.
