I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut in.
“No family. They were all sent to the Seal Gate many cycles back. They’re all dead. I’m only here to taste Fallen blood.”
I nodded. “Fair. That’s fair.”
He nodded back and turned away. I think Kazemir and I would understand each other well. I went to open my mouth when another voice spoke out first.
“Wings high, Ascendants. Glad to see you’re the ones who lived.”
Chapter 10
AFarasee mounted the marbled dais at the front of the large auditorium. I trailed his movement, floored by how good looking he was.
“He’s too sexy to be a Farasee,” Ellabeth whispered in my ear.
I chortled into my hand. This was why she and I were best friends. Our brains processed the world in the same way.
“I know,” I whispered back. “Look at those steel blue eyes.”
“And his shock of cropped, ivory hair?” Ellabeth quipped, biting her lip. Her eyes followed the Farasee as he floated to the center of the dais, looking out over the room.
“And his muscles. Burningstars.” I gave the Farasee a long once-over. His robes were loose, but still fit him in a way that highlighted all his best features. Unlike other male Farasees, instead of sandals, he wore golden boots. He looked more like a Legionnaire then a Farasee.
“I wouldn’t mind being held by those,” Isandra whispered underneath her breath. I looked her way and found her glaring at the Farasee’s muscular arms. I giggled.
“I know, right?”
“You do know there’s a name for this,” Daelun cut in, sticking his head between us.
“Oh?” Ellabeth quipped. “Enlighten us.”
“It’s calledobjectification.”
We all rolled our eyes.
“He should’ve thought about that before flying in here like a model,” I said, eyes back on the Farasee.
“Congratulations and welcome to Temple Efysis. Please, have a seat.”
We all obeyed, filing into the nearest cloudchairs we could find. I sat between Ellabeth and Omarion, crossing my legs underneath me, before looping my arm with Ellabeth’s.
“Of the seven thousand of you who began the Ascent, three thousand of you have successfully completed the Starfellien Ascent. Well done. However, don’t start celebrating yet. Let me be the first to say, the Ascent was only the beginning.”
Grumbling broke out across the Ascendants, as mutuals turned to each other, discomforted by the words. I kept quiet, hanging on to every word spoken. The Farasee continued unfazed.
“I am Farasee Davithius Solman. I’m here to welcome you and give you an overview of what happens next from here.”
Farasee Davithius crossed his arms. Ellabeth made a sound in her throat which made me laugh in silence.
“Thus far, you’ve unexpectedly met Farasee Asarah. A living legend not only among all the temples across the empyrean, but a remarkable Farasee who has worked diligently to establish new protocols that will better equip you shouldyouone dawn Ascend as a Farasee. You’ve also met Farasees Esau and Kaelthos. But these two are not the only ones you will meet in your first season in the temple.”
I watched Tharic’s back stiffen when Farasee Davithius spoke highly of Granmanmi, but said nothing of consequence for Kaelthos. My lips curled into a smile. I hoped Davithius wasmyPresbitari.
“You’re all officially the newest Ascendants of Temple Efysis. Survive the first trial, and you will become Disciples.”
He paused to let his words sink in. After a moment, he continued.
“Your first season in the temple will be challenging. That’s on purpose. Every moment that pushes you, stretches you, develops you, is by intentional design. We will require much of you, and we will only accept thebestof you into the Order.”
