Page 128 of The Garnet Daughter
“I will help in ways I am permitted, but you must be willing to fulfill your own destiny, Calliape of Frith. I glimpsed your emptiness when you knew it was Ferren, too blind to see it was you as well, the one who travelled across the sands of the birthlands for answers. Despite whose daughter you are, if you knew who you truly were, what was written in stardust long before the first of your line, you would be dancing under the moonlight like a child.”
August hasn’t let go of my hand since I folded back to the fleet ship. I trace the lines of his knuckles and the silver scars that cover the top, calloused and warmly grounding. The first time I visited Omnesis’s temple, she made sure he came with me, revealing to me how every cell in my body was calmed by his presence. It must be true because holding his palm firmly prevents me from floating away, or rather dissolving into the space between.
Both Ferren and 99 pace the living space, going over the voice we both heard, when and what it sounded like. I run through every detail of what Omnesis said, but still they pepper me with questions, all pointing to the same thing but asked in various ways.
“Is it possible our gifts will fade after the conjunction, if they are not of First Mother?” Ferren asks, kicking out the skirt of her black dress as she crosses the room.
“That, I am not certain.”
“Will all of this end when the conjunction does?”
“Omnesis did not say.”
“You didn’t ask!” she snaps, but then a betrayed look crosses her face from her own doing. “I’m sorry.”
“Omnesis doesn’t answer questions like we do. Only divulges some information.”
August lets out a rumbling sigh. “Are we still under the assumption it is lying? Because I have to say, I saw the thing. It went through a lot of trouble and dramatics to let us into its temple just to lie. Doesn’t seem likely.”
Ferren nods. “When Calliape showed me the voice in her mind’s eye, any doubt I was clinging to faded, and I don’t think 99 had any doubts to begin with.”
He shakes his head to confirm his unwavering stance then says, “First Son has secured one of the women he is seeking already. You said Omnesis claimed both of you give off some sort of signal.”
“Like the stones do when they are together, a beacon of sorts, I believe.”
“We are luring him in?” Ferren looks horrified.
“He knows we are here. He could level the city to get to us.”
“We won’t let that happen,” August tells me firmly.
“How many Viathan commanders, Estate guards, and priestesses will die ensuring that?” I direct my question sternly at 99.
“Our intel on First Son’s motivations has only pivoted. There was always going to be a battle.” He positions himself with his back against a metal support beam, giving Ferren free range to pace and worry as he stands with his arms crossed as if hoping his stillness will calm her.
“But now it’s personal, my friend. You feel it and so do I. It changes the way we fight,” August says.
“I am afraid you are correct,” 99 agrees.
Ferren steps in front of him, silently communicating through their tether, a habit they both use to filter each other’s thoughts before speaking aloud. I have never minded. The moments they have gone silent and spoke through their unique connection has always been an opportunity for August to speak to just me. Many times, he has pulled me in closer and whispered what he thinks about the past problems we have faced, being sure to ask my opinion and carefully consider it.
But right now, he is as quiet as the others, worry plastered between his brows, perhaps thinking this is another dangerousimpasse and I will retreat from him, so I squeeze his hand to capture his attention.
When he looks at me with inquisitive, bright eyes, I forget how to speak eloquently. “This doesn’t change anything . . . between us. We stick together.”
He brings the back of my palm to his lips, peering up at me through thick lashes. “That is good to hear, but I only have your safety on my mind. We’re not leaving each other’s side, but you and Ferren . . .”
The sudden sound of Ferren halting in the middle of the metal floor captures my attention. She is wide-eyed and glaring at August as if he has struck her.
“Ferren,” August starts gently and reaches out for her hand. “Please sit.”
“I can’t.” She looks between us. “Is that what you all think? That we should separate?”
“Omnesis said it would be safer if we left the city,” I explain again carefully. “She said First Son has been drawing us together.”
“No, you are my friend, not because he has forced us together, Calliape. We are family because we choose it.” She points an angry finger downward to accentuate her point and waits until I nod my head in agreement before she resumes.
“He will try to take you both during the conjunction, when his power is greatest and his followers the most devout,” 99 states.
