“No,” I replied. “I’m wondering the same thing.” Gently probing the bite on my face, I hissed through my teeth.Ow.
I had some claw marks here and there as well, and they were pulsing and stinging. I was more worried about the bite, since lamiae venom could inflict humans with the Red Thirst. But theichorin my system should surely cancel it out.
I stood back as the officiates steadily scaled the wall. Some used the ropes while others accepted the aid of winged Phoenixians.
My attention went to Talon. My chest went tight at the many smears of blood covering him, along with the crimson splatters. There were also tears in his clothing and faint scrapes on his skin. The tightness in my chest loosened as I noted that he either had no real injuries or they had healed at preternatural speed.
Maybe he felt my eyes on him, because his gaze flew to mine. A gaze that gave me a fast once-over. His brow furrowed as he took in the bite and numerous scratches I sported.
Well, I didn’t like the wounds much either. Especially because I knew that, though the Delphiae could heal me and the other candidates, they wouldn’t unless the injury was fatal—it was a rule of Xalbia. It was supposed to encourage us to be cautious and learn to tend to our own injuries rather than rely on the skills of the Delphiae.
Talon prowled over, wholly focused on the bite on my face. Probably making sure the veins there weren’t darkening—it would be a sure sign that I was infected.
“I feel fine,” I told him. “No dizziness, no nausea, no other symptoms of infection.” Fingers crossed it stayed that way.
I picked up the bow and quiver from the floor, which was right when something caught my eye. I blinked, feeling my head slant as I straightened. “Is it just me, or is there a crack in the base of the Sovereigns’ fortress?”
Several people turned.
It was Ajax who replied. “No. No, it isn’t just you.” A cautious answer laced with surprise.
“What could have done that?” asked Bevan, taking the question right from my mouth.
Ajax exchanged a look with Talon, who appeared none the wiser.
It could have been one of the eagles, I supposed. They were huge enough to have caused a crack if they collided into the building. Thoughwhythey would have gone near the fortress, let alone bashed into it, I had no idea.
“Right,” Ajax called out, gaining everyone’s attention, “aside from those on sentry duty here, let’s get back to the garrison.”
Inwardly a little shaky from the battle, I spared one last look at the ominous crack before turning to follow the others back to the garrison.
Officiates and candidates alike gathered around, so I almost didn’t notice that the Sovereigns were furiously pacing in the center of the crowd near the courtyard.
“It’s good to see you’re okay, though that’s a nasty bite,” came a voice from my left.
Tracking it, I smiled at Khalida … until I got a good look at her arm. “Your one is worse,” I said, sidling up to her.
Her upper lip curled. “Damn hound tried to take a chunk out of me. I’ll be fine. Phoenixians heal very fast. I’ll head to the apothecary once the queue dies down.”
Just because godkin healed fast didn’t mean they wouldn’t seek out salves or other treatments to ease their pain or hurry along the healing process. The Delphiae were always happy to fix wounds, but they could burn out if they tried tending to too many in a short space of time. As such, during or after battles, they only healed those with lethal or extremely painful wounds.
“How do you feel?” she asked me.
“Don’t worry, I’m not infected. How many from our side died?”
“Thanks to the beasts that live in the Pines, only three. But plenty were injured—some badly. Still, they’ll survive; the Delphiae will heal them.”
I briefly glanced at the Sovereigns, who’d been joined by Talon and the Marshalls. “Do the half-bloods not participate in battles?” I asked.
Her jaw tightening, she shook her head. “They stay tucked up in their fortress. Unless other half-bloods are part of the armies, that is. Medea once came, though she didn’t come close. Theseus also accompanied his troops at one point, but he kept his distance as well. They would have been foolish not to have.”
“It makes no sense,” Eacus all but barked, drawing my attention back to the Sovereigns. “Neither species gains anything from attacking Deimos.”
“No, but Theseus and Scylla do,” said Minos. “The lamiae reside in his territory. Molossian hounds inhabit her mountains.”
“And her ability to command animals means she could direct the hounds to attack, yes, but she would never gain the aid of the lamiae,” clipped Eacus.
“They would, however, aid Theseus if he made them pretty promises,” Rhad mused. “It could be that he and Scylla are in cahoots.”
