He’d been in the custody of the Scourgers in those dungeons, too.
Rot.
I developed a splitting headache as I blinked at the Farasee who carried my blood but was no family to me. She noticed the shift in my expression. My posture.
She flinched. For the first time in my entire life, I saw panic, and something too close to fear, dance across her hardened eyes. She blinked, watching me for a moment, before speaking again.
“Granfifi—”
“You are no Granmanmi of mine,FaraseeAsarah,” I seethed,my chest rising and falling like a rabid animal.
The Farasees snapped back as if they’d all been slapped. All of them except for Davithius and Esau. Why did I have a prickling feeling that those two knew why I was in such a rage? Knew why I wanted to set this temple on fire with all the angels in it outside of Seventh Choir?
“Spit out what you want and I’ll be on my way,” I snarled.
Asarah’s eyes widened. She slid her gaze to a Farasee who was perched at the end. He looked back at her. I didn’t understand everything they shared in that quiet exchange, but I understood enough. Something hadn’t gone according to plan. Asarah cleared her throat.
“Earlier, you were sent on a final trial. One of testing loyalty. One to find a traitor that was working diligently against the temple. Here you stand before me.” A pause. “Alone.”
“I found no traitor,” I said, my voice bland. “Are we done here?”
Her nostrils flared.
“I find that highly unlikely. You’remyGranfifi. You’re as intelligent as they come. I don’t believe for a moment you found no one. Reveal the traitor, and this Council will come to an end. You will go back to your daily duties as a Disciple.”
“There was no burning traitor,” I snapped, my shrill voice bouncing off the walls of the chamber. Suddenly everything was too ivory. Too golden. Too perfect.
Lies. It was a beautiful palace oflies.
I wanted to get out of here. I wanted to go to my sister. I wanted to get the Hèls out of this temple. I wanted to go home.
“You will mind your tone?—”
“I will rotting mind nothing,Granmanmi.” I hissed. “Tell me. Did you know?”
Hers eyes flashed darkly, as she tilted her head. The question had caught her off guard.
“Did I know what, my youngling?”
“I amnotyour youngling. I belong to Quazar Valoryen. To Amaryss and Cassandrel Anathelle. To Incense Order, First Dominion, Seventh Choir.Neverwill I belong toyou.”
The Farasees gasped. All except Esau and Davithius. Esau watched me curiously as he processed my statement. Davithius’s lips curled into a small, triumphant smile.
Asarah slammed her hands on the handles of her throne, pushing to a stand.
“That’senough.”
“Funny,” I said, feeling starfire flood my palms. “I’m just getting started.”
“You still haven’t learned your rotting lesson,” she snarled, starlight swirling around her. I knew she was pissed. Never in my life had she ever had a slip of vulgar language. I relished it. If she was going to push me, I was going to push back. Andhard.
“Where are you?” The baritone voice slid down our bond, tendrils of shadow slipping into my mind, catching me off guard. Love and life stirred in my hearts as I felt a piece of myself returning at the sound of his voice.
“Can’t talk right now. Pretty sure I’m about to have my wings plucked.”
“Whereareyou?”he snarled.
Something had angered him.
