Page 259 of The Gods Order

“Valories…”

The last of the corruption screams silently as my powers rip it away.

Everything slams back inside me in less than a breath, like it couldn’t get away fast enough.

If I weren’t in the water, my ass would’ve been knocked off my feet from the pulse rolling off the Binding. I drop it as I tilt, but before I crash, multiple hands grip me.

My ears ring so loud I can’t hear the ragged pants falling from my throat. My lungs scream for a deeper breath, but I can’t.

Holy shit, that was horrible.

“That was perfect.”

The familiar voice in my mind freezes my muscles and what little air I have.

My men fall still.

My head slowly pivots.

Perched in the same exact spot as the first night I met him…

V sits there, examining us as we examine him. Water fills my eyes faster than I can stop it.

His feathers…his teal eyes.

I made the new vessel the exact same…

“Where did you learn to do that?” he asks.

The first tear falls. I rush to wipe it away.

“F-from—” I clear the stutter and force myself to stand straight. My men don’t release me. “From you.”

“Me?” He tilts his head. “I see.”

His eyes roam over each of us before settling back on me.

“You’ll have to forgive me. My instincts seem to know something I do not.”

“That’s okay,” I mumble. “We’re here to help.”

“Oh, splendid. I figured as much when I sensed your permission pass through my warded rock. That’s why I came to investigate.”

“I had to move it to reach the Bindings. That’s where we keep them hidden.”

“We?” he asks. Before I can answer, he carries on. “I hide them there. I hadn’t realized I informed others of their whereabouts. Shall I move them?”

I shake my head.

“No need. They won’t be there much longer.”

“Why not?”

A sad, watery grin breaks through the tremble on my lips.

“I’ll be returning them to where they belong soon enough.”

He doesn’t answer with words. A pleased hoot hums through the air as he ruffles his feathers. My eyes drift shut as I bask in the sound.