“Humanity? Septimus didn’t mention anything about that. He just said you pissed off someone and they stripped your powers.”
“Thatiswhat happened. But I didn’t act on a whim. There was a plot I’d overheard, crafted by someone I hope you never have to meet. A plan with disastrous consequences… The humanity-destroying kind. One that makes the loss of thirteen mortals every decade look like nothing, harsh as it sounds. And I was the only one able to stop it. Septimus and Syrina, they helped. Except, we only managed to execute half of the plan before we were caught and stripped of our powers. The Trials… they’re not for sport or entertainment, glory or fame. They’re a necessary means to an end. A careful method to select the strongest: those most suited to pass the Rite. We’re searching for someone with a particular skill to break this curse, so I can finish what I started.”
My questions multiplied with each sentence that left his lips. If what he was saying was true… If humanity really was at stake, hinging on the outcome of the Trials, our roles were far larger than I’d ever imagined.
And Kilian… What did that make him? It challenged everything I thought I knew about him.
“I want to help you,” I said. “Tell me who did this to you. Tell me so I can try to help.”
“I’ve already said too much, Lirah. It’s not your burden to bear right now.”
“But it’s yours? How can that be?”
“It’s complicated. And now isn’t the time to discuss it.” His jaw was set, stubborn determination in his eyes. “I know you want to help. But you can do that by staying alive. By completing the third Trial and passing the Rite. It’s wishful thinking, but maybe you’ll be the one to break the curse after all.”
I wasn’t getting anything else out of him today.
I sighed. “Alright.”
“Alright? I’m not used to you agreeing with me. It feels like you’re speaking a different language.”
“I’m only agreeing fornow. But you can’t keep me in the dark forever. And I have demands.”
He caught my wrist, bringing the inside to his lips. “List them.”
“I want to know about the third Trial.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure? It could cause unnecessary panic.”
“Or help us prepare,” I shot back. “And I want the entire group to be trained on channeling in preparation for the Rite.”
“Lirah. It’s highly unlikely that, even with months of practice, every candidate would be able to channel well enough to pass the Rite.”
“A chance is still a chance, no matter how small. Let each person decide for themselves whether they want to take it.”
He nodded slowly. “Okay. We’ll start tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
It was a weird thing, being in agreement with him. I was certain it would not last long. My fingers grazed his forearm, and he tensed ever so slightly. I let them trail up his arm, marveling at the contours.
I glanced up at him. “I lied. I don’t really hate you. Not for a while now.”
“I know.” His hands wrapped around my lower back, and he pulled me closer. “I’ve never been so bewitched by such a dreadful liar.”
The corners of my lips twitched. “I wonder what that says about you.”
“Certainly that I have excellent taste.”
His lips pressed against mine in a soft, slow kiss. His fingers sank into my hair, caressing my nape.
He drew back only to say, “I have something I need to prove. I believe the record was… twenty seconds, right?”
A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes, and my core went molten.
“More or less.” I lifted my arms, and he pulled my tunic off, I lay flat on the ground as his fingers moved deftly along the ties on my gear. “No blade this time?” I teased.
But there was no amusement left in his eyes, only voracious want.