I fought a frown. They had only learned of it today? “Yes, it was very frightening,” I lied.
My peripheral vision sensed Talon’s head ever so slightly twitch in my direction. He was probably thinking that I was full of shit. He’d be right. I hadn’t been scared, I’d been infuriated.
“And yet, you did not quit Xalbia,” Rhad cut in, still plucking at his beard. “In fact, you are still here even now, beyond its halfway point.”
That bothered him quite a bit, I realized. He had thought I would quit, and he didn’t like that he was wrong. I would need to be sneaky here. I would need to act as though he shouldn’t consider it an indication of power or strength that I hadn’t dropped out.
“Blame my being mortal. As you can imagine, being around you or your descendants makes us feel very insignificant. I mean, we’re very vulnerable in comparison. It can cause us to feel that we have something to prove. We might put ourselves through all sorts of misery to do so. A weakness, I suppose. But a weakness can be drawn on to give us strength.”
His brow pinched in thought, Eacus idly brushed the pad of his thumb over that of his forefinger again and again. “Hmm, I suppose. Lamiae venom had no effect on you, I hear.”
“I would have to credit theichorwith that.”
“Yes, it likely helped your system fight it off. Mortal makeup never would,” Eacus added with utter flippancy.
“I was surprised to hear that you had managed to successfully ingest theichor,” Rhad interjected.
“Have you felt any stirrings of power within you?” asked Minos.
My nape tingled. I’d have to be careful here. “Some.”
Minos cocked his head. “Has any of it manifested itself into an ability of any kind?”
“I heal faster. That’s really it so far.” I went very still as Minos pushed off his throne. It was a supreme effort not to tense up when he made a slow beeline for me.
Minos paid no attention to Talon as he stood before me, studying me closely. “There is power inside you. Faint but there. Perhaps too faint to surface.” He sighed. “That would be a shame.”
He didn’tsoundas though he’d find it disappointing. He seemed to feel reassured by the idea that nothing about me posed a threat. I was exactly what, despite being also a Sayer, I appeared to be—a mortal. Harmless. Inconsequential. Interchangeable.
“Do you believe that you have a hope of surviving Xalbia and seeing it through to the end?” Eacus asked me as Minos returned to the platform.
“I believe I will give it everything that I have,” I replied carefully. “I can only hope it will be enough. But without theichor, I would never have gotten this far.”
Rhad gave a short nod. “I would have to agree with that.”
It really was incredible how easily these beings could be put at ease just listening to me natter on about how they were all power and greatness while I was little ole me.
“I have a question,” Minos piped up as he resettled on his throne. “If you were to pass Xalbia and join the Tapestry, you would be the only human. We would prefer all officiates to be immortal. Would you ever accept the offer of longevity?”
I almost jerked in surprise. There wasn’t a chance these beings would give me any rewards, let alone prolong my lifespan. “I would.”
“So decisive,” Minos commented. “Why no hesitation?”
“I’m content with the life I have now,” I replied. “Why would I want it to pass me by quickly?”
Beside me, Talon stiffened … and I realized what I might have implied with my answer.Crap.
Minos briefly slid an amused look at the Cardinal. “Why indeed.” He straightened in his seat and flapped a hand. “You may both go. And Talon, be sure to keep us better informed.”
Hmm, it was looking like the Cardinal wasn’t giving them as regular reports as I’d expected. Then again, he was a busy person. Going back and forth to the Sovereigns with little anecdotes about me was probably the last thing he needed or wanted to do.
No wonder he was always scowling at me.
As he and I left the audience chamber, the power purring beneath my skin came back to the forefront. Which was plain weird.
Or was it?
Maybe this happened to everyone. Maybe it was a natural thing. I was tempted to ask Talon, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted to share this little phenomenon with anyone yet. Besides, I had something else I wished to say to him.
