Hmm,thiswas a theory that I hadn’t before heard. While I’d like to dismiss it, I couldn’t. Because they were right about the gods’ love of experiments.
“The only other possible reason they could have to anoint a human would be to offend us,” Eacus added. “I do not believe that they would seek to do so.”
Ipersonally wouldn’t be so surprised if the primordials had decided to send anI’m not happy with youmessage. These three half-bloods disregarded the gods’ insistence on peace, played power games, overlooked the humans under their protection, and insisted on sacrifices every nine years.
As rulers, they hadmajorroom for improvement.
Rhad set his fists on his hips. “What do we do with her? If we consider her soul to be godkin, then it begs the question of whether we nonetheless treat her as we would a human sacrifice due to the body that she possesses.”
“I do not have an answer for that,” said Eacus, thumbing his earlobe. “Particularly since our theory, while weighty, is just that—a theory.”
Minos hummed thoughtfully. “One thing is certain: the gods honored her when they made her a Sayer. They would wantusto honorthat, I think. What better way for us to do that than place her in the Black Tapestry?”
I felt my lips part, a rock forming in my stomach. Now hold on a minute—
“But she is human,” Eacus pointed out.
Exactly.Thankyou.
“Her body is, yes,” allowed Minos. “But I truly doubt that the same applies to her soul. Whether or not she is strong enough to survive Xalbia will tell us much.”
To survive what now?
“And I must admit, I am very curious to see if it is possible, or to at least see how far she goes before admitting defeat,” Minos went on.
Eacus frowned. “But if she dies while trying for a place in the Order, the gods may hold us responsible.”
Minos paused. “All we would be doing is what the primordials themselves have done—giving her a chance to be more than what her human skin allows. And let us consider that she is likely a failed experiment. I am unsure it would bother them much if shewereto die.”
Rhad stared at me for a long moment. “I suppose that much is true.”
“I want to know what made the primordials choose her,” said Minos. “They must have had a reason.”
“I, too, would like to understand,” admitted Eacus. “Xalbia has a way of highlighting a person’s strengths and weaknesses. She always has the option of bowing out once thetrials officially begin. Would you not like to see how long she will last before doing so, Rhad?”
Rhad sighed, his frown easing slightly. “I would. Though it doesn’t seem probable that she will stay beyond the first day.”
My stomach bottomed out. Oh no, this wasn’t good. This wasn’t goodat all.
Minos gave a small shrug. “Perhaps not, but do not forget that we have never put a human through Xalbia before. We cannot know.”
“And if she survives but admits defeat, what do we do with her then?” asked Rhad.
Eacus twisted his mouth. “It is possible that the gods sent her here for a reason. Perhaps they want us to continue the experiment that they began. There are many tests that we could do to uncover just what they were up to when they anointed her.”
Minos gave a slow nod. “Agreed.”
Rhad, too, nodded.
Oh, fuck. I opened my mouth to protest, but the look on Minos’ face made my words die on my tongue. I could tell by his expression that those words would fall on deaf ears. His mind was made up. And I, as a mere human, had no right to request that he change it.
“You will go with Talon, Ajax, and the godkin offerings,” Minos told me. His gaze cut to Talon. “Watch her closely. Report her progress—or lack thereof—back to us.” His attention settled on the human offerings. “Follow Ariadne; she will assign some of you duties. The rest of you … well, let us say that another fate awaits you.”
My gut twisted painfully, because it seemed all too possible that the other ‘fate’ involved a labyrinth and a minotaur.Oh, gods.
Ariadne’s mouth set into a placid smile. “This way,” she called out before turning and walking away.
The humans began to follow her, their expressions ranging from extreme panic to utter despair.
