“The Ashen Oath, General.”
“Oh, that.”
Noire nods, face calm.
I have completely forgotten about that ritual, with all the other things going on.
I shrug. “I guess let’s get it over with if the monks are ready. How long is it going to take?”
“The ritual should take no longer than half an hour, General.”
I head for the door. “Great. Let’s go.”
Noire doesn’t move. When he speaks, his voice is gentle. “Are you sure you want to do it now? While the ritual is short and painless, you may want to prepare for it mentally. It’s not an easy thing to go through. Besides, it would be good for you to rest right after. There may be?—”
I lift my hand to interrupt. “I’m fine, Noire. Nothing to ponder about. If that’s what I must do as the Ezkai General, I’ll do it. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself after.”
Noire blinks, but says nothing more.
I open the door and wave for him to go first. “Show the way.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
PHOENIX
Ifollow Noire deeper into the tunnels that loom under the castle. We walk in silence, his robes flowing behind him.
I’m keenly aware of my two Ezkai guards. Do they know where we’re headed? What’s about to happen? I guess they do, if it’s a custom for every Ezkai General to go through it.
Something in my chest tightens. I rub the middle of it, as if that could help ease tension.
Everything is happening so fast. Vera’s kidnapping, Caligos scheming, the laws, the blood debts, and now this…My mind is running a thousand miles an hour.
We descend a couple of floors deeper, and I recognize the corridor here. It’s a bit brighter, with less doors. We pass the massive stone door to the room where the Trial of Wisdom took place. My stomach lurches, but Lorca doesn’t stir.
After another couple of minutes, we reach another door I recognize. Behind it lies the Well, source of all Decarios power. Immediately my steps halt as the memory of lifeless bodies floating in the ethereal water surges to the front of my mind.
Cool seeps into my bones. I flex my hands, trying to keep the weird panic at bay. Will I ever get used to this part of Ekios? The unknown of the otherworldly?
“General?” Noire’s voice snaps me out the trance.
I blink, and focus my gaze on him. He looks worried.
I clear my throat and give him a sharp nod. “I’m okay, Noire. Let’s go.”
Right then, the double door opens and a monk wearing long crimson robes appears. His face looks familiar, but I’m not sure if it’s the same person I met during the Culling. My mind may be playing tricks on me.
He bows at the waist to me. “General.”
I nod at him in acknowledgment and follow him inside. Once I step through the doorway, I realize Noire and my Ezkai follow me. I glance at them over my shoulder in question.
“I’ll be right here, waiting,” Noire assures me.
Before I can reply, the double door closes with a heavy thud. I’m sealed inside the Well room with four monks. I swallow the ball that rises in my throat and roll my shoulders.
I don’t think.
I don’t feel.
