Page 29 of The Gods Order

Creed and I share a glance, while Sevryn has a bloodthirsty smirk on his face. I shake my head at him and focus back on the fury scripted across hers.

“So…something did happen.”

“Yes, Thayla. Something very weird happened this—”

“Can I have your attention?”

Speak of the god.

Gladian’s bellow slices through the Court, silencing every murmur and halting every wooden sword. My shoulders straighten the second I face him. The last two people I expected to see standing on either side of him were my men.

Amick’s face is stoic. I’m not sure if he’s pissy from his day obviously being interrupted or if he has really bad news. Riven’s smile doesn’t give me any answers either, but the hair on the back of my neck stands.

Kyzen, Yemi, and Rose make their way to us in seconds, and we all stare at Gladian.

“This morning’s training is canceled. Return your training swords and get out.”

My eyes narrow on him.

“Please,” I add, and all the females focus on me.

I give them a subtle nod, and they finally do as he so rudely fucking requested.

Him, Amick, and Riven march over to us, and I try to ask with my eyes and soul what the hell is going on, but they don’t give me an answer. Mara’s nervousness is new, weird, and unreadable. The glare she keeps trained on the God of Strength is familiar, though.

The next two minutes pass by in intense, awkward silence as the Court empties.

I don’t have the first clue what’s happening right now.

“What’s going on?” Creed and I ask at the same time.

“I don’t believe I’m needed for this conversation, so I’m going to join Lambrit,” Rose whispers, giving my hand a squeeze, then starshoots out.

Gladian keeps his attention on Mara.

“Ellian couldn’t share anything and advised me to speak with Amick,” he says, and her shoulders deflate.

“Again, what is going on?” I ask and finally the gigantic shit glances at me.

“Early this morning, Mara and I experienced a similar, almost painful sensation sweep across us. We figured it was Mellcom finally severing his tie. That was until Chasin crashed out of his room in a panic.”

Early this morning…

“In a panic? Was he under attack?” Creed asks.

“Worse, I suppose,” Gladian grunts.

“Spit out whatever it is you’re trying to say. Some of us have realm-saving tasks and plans to get to today,” Amick says, voice laced with impatience and annoyance.

So he definitely doesn’t know what’s going on.

“Chasin’s Valtrue mark is gone, but we still have ours, but it’s…”

Mara sighs, cutting her words off and thrusting her wrist out toward me. I trace what used to be a scripted S but is now a beautifully decorative E with my finger. Gladian holds his out as well for Amick to observe.

He studies it for maybe a fleeting second before he flicks those candy eyes to me, then moves to my side. Riven follows suit and holds his arm out dramatically for Mara to go stand with Gladian.

Questions burn in their eyes as they glance at one another, then all of us.