Page 114 of The Gods Order

Like he’s undressing my soul with his gaze.

My little burden would claw his eyes out for that.

“Forgive my manners, but it’s time you all left. I have much to attend to, and disappearing from the eyes of the gods is no easy feat. Having the sons of Obliteration, the son of Pain, the brother of Pain, the God of Discovery with a Vedarya on his shoulder, and… I don’t know who you are, actually, but regardless, with all of you lingering around my house, it’s bound to draw unwanted attention. So, if you would.”

He gestures for us to leave. We stare at him in disbelief. Gladian zeroes in on his outstretched arm.

“How do you know who I am? That history was erased from all records.”

“You can erase history all you want. It doesn’t get rid of the shadows the past left behind.”

We all straighten.

“Expand on that,” Creed orders.

Prath lowers his arm with a sigh, clearly regretting speaking.

“Every God of Shadows inherits more than power. We inherit the darkness. Every shadow cast by my predecessors remains within my domain. I can follow them backward through time if I choose. The shadows of the god before me. The god before him. Every God of Shadows stretching back further than I care to explore.”

His gaze drifts across each of us—except Vullie.

“Records can be burned. Memories can be altered. Histories can be erased. Shadows are far less cooperative. Through them, I know much of my predecessor’s life, just as he knew the lives of those before him.”

My smile slips.

Well. That’s horrifying.

“You met Obsidian?” Sevryn asks Gladian.

“Him? No. His power? Yes,” Gladian grunts. “You met him?”

“Once, but he didn’t use his power on me. He was visiting my father and theirs.”

“He visited them often. A tradition I have no intention of continuing. So again—if you would—it’s time for you to leave.”

He holds his arm out again, and I chuckle through the unease crawling up my spine.

“Hate to break it to you, but you won’t be getting rid of us that easily.”

“And why is that?”

Instead of answering like a normal person, Gladian grunts and shoves his arm out, lining their wrists together. Prath’s eyes widen for a heartbeat as he scans the matching E’s.

“Oh. I see.”

“Have you even looked for us?” Gladian snaps, then glares at Vullie. “I fucking know you didn’t.”

I loathe the way Vullie curls in on himself.

“No, I didn’t. And I never planned to,” Prath admits. “I came here hoping never to be found. By anyone.”

“Great. Fantastic,” Gladian says, throwing his hands up. “The realm is coming to an end, and this is who I get paired with. Gods who’d rather hide than do something about it.”

None of us say anything while the man-child throws his tantrum.

I won’t admit it out loud, but…he sort of has a point.

Vullie never would’ve searched, sure, but Prath? As strong as this new God of Shadows is, it doesn’t make sense that he didn’t look for his Valtrue.