Ugh. Here we go again.
“Maybe some other time,” I told the flower merchant.
“Are you sure?” she questioned.
“Yeah. They’re gorgeous, though.”
“Until then,” she said, immediately moving on to another elfy customer.
“Alright?” Silvanus questioned.
I nodded. “Sorry, we don’t have time for me making big eyes at the orchids.”
He smiled. “It’s fine.”
We carried on down the street until we reached a stone archway nestled between two of those pointed buildings, leading into a wide, circular area.
Curved, almost flat-looking glass buildings surrounded us, while a glass fountain shaped like a dolphin bubbled away in the center. Folk went about their business, some tossing coins into the fountain.
What a peaceful place.
“It’s just up ahead,” Elio muttered.
Awesome. I couldn’t wait to get this over with. As peaceful as this place might be, a constant lick of unease spiked my anxiety.
An Aidan Temple loomed directly ahead of us in the shape of a frosted glass cylinder. Its golden Aidan’s Knot glittered on its flat roof, reaching for heaven.
White stairs lead up to the double doors of its entrance. There were about thirty bodies gathered on the steps, clad in the golden robes of Aidan Acolytes.
Whoa. I hadn’t seen one in ages. They were usually found living in their abbeys in the most remote areas of the world. They were quiet folk, always in prayer and reflection, the most devout of all. It was rare to see them in a city, let alone thirty at once.
Silvanus growled, adopting a protective stance before me as he bristled with fury, watching the figures intently.
“I don’t think we should stay here,” Elio suggested.
The king didn’t answer.
“Silv?” I asked.
He’d gone as rigid as stone, his lips drawn back into a snarl.
Shit. We couldn’t have him losing his temper here.
Two scanhawks flew overhead, unleashing their green beams, picking up on nothing.
“Silv?”
His nickname didn’t work this time.
“Sugar?” Medusa tried. “Come on. We have to keep going.”
The whining crackle of a microphone sounded and, every disciple turned to face us.
Their eyes blazing with golden fire.
Oh. Fuck.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
