I opened my eyes to look at Granmanmi. Something in her tone pricked my hearts. Her small smile seemed to curl, cruelly.
“So thanks to the Fallen Prince, I took it upon myself to create something that would make sure the Fallenspawn could prove their loyalty to the empyrean.”
I sat up in my seat. What was she on about?
Granmanmi looked up and around. She spread out her arms, letting a wave of starlight twirl around her.
“My Elledelliens. We all know the Creed! We all clap our wings to the law! Blood for blood!”
“Blood for blood!” the angels chorused.
“What in the six Hèls is she talking about?”
I looked at my siblings. My older siblings remained quiet, eyes glues to the dais. Evanae shrugged, confused. Gabriel looked between us and Granmanmi but said nothing.
“Blood for blood!” Granmanmi called out again.
“Blood for blood!” the angels chorused.
A deliciously dark hum slipped into my mind from the other side of the veil. A small trickle of shadows danced into my mind.
“Ready to witness the sins of your Matriarchs, spawn of Anathelles?”
Before I could respond, the shadows receded, disappearing altogether before the veil in our minds slammed shut. My throat felt dry like the sands of the Ouanaviel seashore.
“After seeking audience with the Infinite in our great, and holy, temple, searching for a way to turn the tragedy of my fifi into progress, the brightest idea came to me.”
I leaned forward. It felt like everyone had. From Angels, to Faerèth, to Gods, to Shifters.
“Alas, thanks to our dear Prince—with the blessing of High Profèt Samael and the wise guidance of our merciful, and righteous, High Farasee, Manazzra Ahabiah—I thought of, and began to implement, what we call Blood Rites.”
“What in the stars-forsaken Hèls are Blood Rites?”I called down the bond, shoving the question at the veil, hoping it would break through.
It didn’t.
Since the Purification Hall, our bond had gone quiet. Not dark, but quiet. Which ticked me off, because now I needed answers only he could give the way I needed to hear them.
“Rather than explain to you about the necessity and power of these Blood Rites, this twinight we will demonstrate the ritual instead.”
Granmanmi gestured to the Fallenspawn. “Now, the Blood Rites were created forallFallenspawn to participate. For them all to share in the burden of proving fealty to the empyrean. Instead, their Prince, Quazar Valoryen, negotiated, really hebegged the Farasee Order, to let him take the full share of the burden unto himself. And in our generosity, we obliged.”
My nostrils flared. I found myself holding my breath. Clinging to the sides of my gown, fisting my hands in the fabric. When I released her hand, Evanae latched onto my arm, clinging to me with terror. My hearts began racing.
“Quazar?”I called out.“Quazar!”
Nothing.
“Before we begin the Blood Rites and continue on with our Titombwe mass, I would like us to stand and take a moment of silence for a great loss to the empyrean. The loss of Farasee Amaryss Anathelle who laid her life down for the protection of her empyrean and Empràr.”
My siblings and I shot to our feet, alongside every one else. I took deep breaths through my mouth, trying not to hyperventilate.
Then my siblings and I floated further into the air, hovering above the rest. Eyes across Titombwe looked up at us. Including the Fallenspawn.
Together, we bent to our knees, then bowed over in the air. Lifting our wings, we bent them forward in a bow while covering our heads with a pair of wings. A sign of honor, reverence, and mourning.
“These are the younglings Amaryss left behind, thanks to Quazar Valoryen, Zemshaza’s heir,” Granmanmi said with a clear, but saddened voice. She was intentionally making a point with her choice of words, and it was working. “Legionnaire Ezekiel, Incense Fuser Jael, Watcher Hosea, Cadetti Uriah, Disciple Safah, and younglings Gabriel and Evanae.”
Titombwe remained silent. As one, every angel rose, lowered their heads and folded their wings in quiet mourning. After a long while had passed, Granmanmi cleared her throat.
