Page 43 of The Garnet Daughter
“Did something else happen on Frith? You seem . . .”
The sentence she doesn’t finish is replaced by the sensation of her tether fishing for a connection to my mind, one my ward rejects without even trying. I can’t allow her entry, despite it causing her pain to be excluded.
“I am worried about the old god. It seems wrong not to pursue it. The Frithian elders were very clear on what it intends to do,” I divulge.
She nods. “The ward around the city fell because Crixa did. Thousands are not protected because I killed her. It would be selfish to prioritize my life over an entire city. I plan to fight on the front lines with 99 and make it right.”
“Are you not afraid of Omnesis?”
“I am, but if I tell 99 my worries about the old god, it will take his focus off protecting the city to pursue another crusade for me. I’m more afraid of what is coming here, First Son’s next attack.”
Ferren is right. If 99 truly knew how much danger she was in, he would devote his efforts to hunting the monster down.
She is not the one I need to convince. It’s him.
He won’t leave her,but I can. I can’t fight on the front lines like she intends to or prepare the Viathan technology like August. This could be my part, my contribution.
A small logical piece of me knows I am avoiding telling her the truth. But if I tell her now and she shuts me out, I will not be able to make sure the monster is dealt with, the one I hold some responsibility for.
I am not a good woman, I’m letting her believe her assumptions in order to do this, but I cannot handle Ferren’s blood on my hands. I would rather she hate me and be alive.
Then, I vow to tell her the truth about everything, all of them. I will accept their hatred and then return to Frith, where I can’t make the same mistakes that cost them so greatly. I have to dothis. I have to go to the monster myself and somehow make sure it will not harm her.
Chapter
Fifteen
Irest on the Viathan ship, napping off the drowsiness of the strong medicine. This time Ferren helped administer the injection, and though it was less embarrassing, the pain was worse from using the same location, now sorely bruised. She cautiously broke the news that she would be away for much of the day, speaking with Selene about the council meeting and making sure the order hasn’t asked anymore questions about my gifts.
When I emerge feeling more alive, I follow the narrow halls out to the spacious gathering room, but it’s empty. I check their adjoining private mess hall and find myself alone, only the soothing hum of the vessel and sound of commanders in the rest of the ship filling the space now.
“How are you feeling?” Commander Wesley stands in the threshold between the living quarters and the rest of the ship. “Lady Ferren mentioned you were not well. She will be returning shortly.”
“Fine.” I shift on my feet, not sure if I should fold back to August’s ship or stay. “Where is August?”
Commander Wesley takes a large exhale. “I imagine he is working on the electrical problem at the front lines.”
“And 99—the 99th Commander?”
“At the crash site.”
“Thank you. I’m going to stay for a while.” I turn on my heel and head back into the mess hall.
The idea I thought was fleeting as sleep overtook me comes rushing back now that I know 99 is alone, and breaching the topic without input from the others is ideal.
I press the large silver button on the food dispensers and wait for the Viathan breakfast to fall into a metal bowl below it. The squares are crunchy and flavorless, but I am too caught up in my scheme to notice beyond the first bite.
The elders of Frith said Omnesis had a temple in the birthlands, so that is where I intend to go. My own gift of folding the distance can no longer be solely relied on, so I must ask 99 for help traveling to my destination.
I finish my food and head back to the sleeping rooms. Ferren said she could see the crash site from her window. I instinctually knock on the door I previously saw her come out of and peek my head in. I hate invading their private space, so I locate the window and scan the dim outside. In the distance, a massive object is nestled into the surrounding buildings, char and debris in its wake. I don’t need confirmation to realize that it is the enemy ship. The shape is menacing and nothing like the Viathan’s.
I press forward and fold the distance with some strain, moving across the city and landing close to its black, smooth surface.
“99th Commander!” I call out as I approach him, easily spotted over the other Viathan commanders.
He advances. “Calliape?”
“May I speak to you in private?”
