Daelun snorted behind me. All around us, the angels started laughing. As the three angels were about to enter Scroll Order’s section, Tharic shot into the air with two other angels. The three of them drew their ethèr, and shot their powers into the angels before they crossed into Scroll Order’s section. Within moments the three angels dropped dead.
I covered my mouth, gasping in horror. Without a second thought, Tharic and the two beasts siphoned the spirits of the dead angels from their bodies, pulled them into the air, wrapped the cords of their ethèr around the living spirits, and crushedthem into nothing, permanently killing the three angels. My jaw hung.
“What the actual…” Isandra’s words trailed off.
I felt ill.
“Holy stars,” an angel a few rows behind me choked out. “Burning Tazuniels, Zamariens, and Branais. Beasts. All of them.”
While we all stared, Tharic and the other two angels smugly sat back down. So, these were the angels responsible for there being so few females who Ascended. I marked them, mentally noting my growing list of males to avoid in this temple.
The doors to the cathedral opened. Gods and goddesses filed in. I scanned them quickly. None of them were Serafina, Natalie, or Caliana. I frowned, watching them as they worked. They quickly grabbed the bodies, wrapped them in feathery linens, and dragged them out, shutting the doors behind them.
“Ascendants!”
I snapped my head to the main platform. Farasee Kaelthos floated to the front, beaming with cruel pride.
“Welcome to Temple Efysis. You will learn that nothing in the temple is given. It is earned. Including mercy.” He grinned. “Let your Ascension begin.”
Chapter 11
Iblinked at the floor, visualizing the dead. Their spirits would never be filed. They would never have a proper burial. They were snuffed out, just like that. For sport.
The gods took away their bodies but their blood remained. Some of their feathers had also fallen, now stuck to the golden ichor tainting the marble floors. The winged tips of my ears twitched. Farasee Kaelthos allowed the shock to sink in, relishing in our surprise and horror.
“You’re all Ascendants seeking to Ascend until you reach the Farasee Order. To do so, you will have to prove you are worthy. And while we demand obedience, we will always expect your sacrifice. Understood?” Farasee Kaelthos bellowed.
As an orchestrated unit, we all clapped our wings once, in uniformity and in accord.
“You all have learned I am Farasee Kaelthos Zamarien. I come from a long line of Farasees who have served the Order for generations since the end of the Fifth Age. It is with great pride and honor that we serve. Only the best may Ascend. We have yet to see if that will include you. Furthermore, during your first season of Ascension, I will also be one of your Presbitaris. I amthe Presbitari over Scroll Order. I will facilitate your classes onThe Principles of Righteous Living and Judgment.”
“Righteous Judgment?Him?No burning way,” Daelun muttered.
I snorted at the irony. That class was going to be a joke.
“You now know Farasee Davithius Solman,” Kaelthos continued, gesturing to Davithius who was blatantly ignoring Kaelthos. “I’m sure you can tell he looks born and bred for war.” At this, Davithius smiled. “It’s because he is.” Kaelthos’s eyes flashed. “While he is a Farasee that does the best he can—” Davithius slid a cutting glare at Kaelthos but said nothing. Kaelthos continued, “He also serves with the empyrean’s Legionnaires. Incense Order, meet your Presbitari.”
“Yes,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. Multiple angels across Incense Order let out their own, tiny outbursts of joy. Davithius looked our way chuckling. I didn’t care if he was difficult. At least the difficulty came with a pretty face.
“Definitely looking forward to class,” Ellabeth whispered.
“Nevermissing a lesson for sure.” I giggled behind a hand.
Davithius snuck a glance at Ellabeth and I as if he could hear us. His posture hadn’t changed. He kept a wide stance and folded arms. But his eyes were dancing, and that mouth of his was twitching.
“Here we have Taevia Othru.”
Kaelthos gestured to the Farasee—who has perched on the other side of the dais—without even looking at her. I wanted to spit in his eyes for the lack of respect. All because she was a female. And an Anathelle by blood.
I looked at my Tati, impressed with her self-control. She was four hundred cycles older than Manmi, but didn’t look a dawn older than me. Tati Taevia ignored him, holding her chin high. Her pin straight black hair hung to her shoulders, not a flyaway in sight, as she blinked her dazzling hazel eyes with traces ofdeep purple in them. Her dark skin was beautiful under the amphitheater lights beneath her plush, ivory Farasee robes.
“Taevia here?—”
“FaraseeTaevia,” Granmanmi hissed from behind Kaelthos. Tati Taevia was her second born and not to be disrespected.
I was thankful Granmanmi was still here. She seemed to be the only one able to keep Kaelthos in check. He was proving to be no better than swine. My distaste for him was growing by the second.
“FaraseeTaevia,” he repeated, mocking Granmanmi. My neck grew hot. “Is the Presbitari for Bond Order.”
