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“Why then does the council block our entry? They should not be susceptible.” The Council of the Gods was comprised only of mated, mortal gods. It had always been so. Losing their immortality meant they acted with greater care, because they were more keenly aware of death and destruction. And because they died the moment their mortal mates did, it meant no god served too long a term and became entrenched in his power and place.
“I do not know,” Maerwy
“This is unacceptable!” My roar caused the Eaforswy
“While they will not hear general petitions, they will allow mated gods to put themselves forth as candidates for the council.”
I sighed, lowering my hand.
“So, the only way to understand what is going on behind that gate and to talk to any of them is to be voted in by the current council?”
“It appears so.”
“Who is on the council now? Gu
Maerwy
“Stone of the sky, no. He and any other council members you may remember are long dead. You have been gone for many mortal generations, Wylfrael.”
I tensed, letting out a harsh breath between my fangs. I’d had no sense of how long I’d been recovering after my last run-in with Skalla.
That means that every Sio
Maerwy
“The current council members are gods I do not know. They are named Aelfsige, Beorht, and Paega.”
I inhaled and pushed my pain away. I watched Maerwy
He didn’t.
“Only three?” I asked, startled. I could not ever remember a time that there were less than seven gods on the council. Only three? How is that possible?
“Several newly mated gods have applied to join the council. None of them have been successful. I do not know what has happened to them since then.”
“Wonderful,” I muttered. “You’re telling me that since I’ve been asleep, everything has started to fall apart.”
“There is some hope,” Maerwy
“Have you confirmed this?” I asked sharply.
Maerwy
“No,” he said. “He was one of the recent applicants to the council. I have heard no news of him since then.”
I grunted, dragging my fingertips through my hair. My head was begi
“So, what are you doing wasting your time here with me, Maerwy
Before all your stars go dark and you have no hope of finding her at all.
“That is my goal,” he said, his voice hardening with determination. “I will find her. And then I will apply to join the council and find out what is going on in there.”
We both turned to look at the gates once more, neither of us speaking aloud the ominous truth that lingered under Maerwy
“There is one more thing I must tell you, before I go,” Maerwy
“What is it?” My heart rate increased, every sense focused on Maerwy
“Rúnwebbe told me that a fourth race has achieved star travel.”
I did not think Maerwy
“Who are they?” I hissed.
“Rúnwebbe calls them human,” Maerwy
“So why wait to tell me that?” It was important information, certainly, but it seemed less pressing than Skalla’s rampage, the star-darkness, and the disturbingly cloistered council. I did not see why such news would make me leave here with haste.
“Because, Wylfrael,” Maerwy
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CHAPTER THREE Torrance
“Shit.”
My rock hammer glanced off the crystal, sending a too-small jagged chunk thudding into the deep snow around my shins. I blew out a frustrated sigh. My breath seeped into my face and neck warmer, hot and damp against my skin. I risked a glance over at Major Corey. He stood nearby in his US Army winter uniform, a parka and snowpants with a pale grey and white camo pattern. It contrasted with the snowsuit I wore – pure white – marking me as a civilian. Luckily, it didn’t look like he’d noticed I’d fucked up. Again.
“Don’t get frustrated. It makes it harder.”
Suvi’s calming, Fi
“I don’t know. When I get frustrated, I find it actually makes the job easier.”
That remark came from Min-Ji, who was on my left. The three of us had been ordered to work together in this small patch of snow-drenched forest. The rest of the crew, and the other women who’d been dragged here with us, were doing similar work closer to the ship that had brought us to this planet and now served as our home base.
“The trees are lucky you don’t punch them, then,” Suvi teased. I couldn’t see her smile under her white neck warmer, but I could hear it in her voice.
I heard a similar smile in Min-Ji’s reply. She dropped her hammer into the soft, deep snow, and raised her fists to her face, pretending to jab at the tree she’d been working on. She’d been a boxer back on Earth. Before.
Before we’d been taken.