Page 33 of The Gods Order

“Wait,” Sevryn says, and I squeeze my eyes shut for a fleeting second. “This sounds like…”

Gladian’s chest expands with his inhale as he fully faces him. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Yemi raising her hand to cover her mouth, understanding clear across her features.

“Sounds like a version of the events that your father always told you. I have no doubt I’ve always been the villain in his story.”

“That can’t be right. He used to call you his best friend and said you betrayed him, left him in the Abandon. You’re—no,” Sevryn says, shaking his head. His denial is weak, though. He already recognizes it’s the truth.

So do I.

There hasn’t been a moment that Gladian spoke that I’ve sensed a hint of deception.

“If I could’ve denied the relationship between your father and me for the rest of my life, I would have. I can’t anymore, though. Secrets are going to continue to get people killed.”

Sevryn stares at him. “So what now? You expect this to suddenly change something?”

“No.” Gladian’s gaze roams over each of us. “I don’t expect forgiveness. I don’t expect the way any of you view me to change. I still have plenty to answer for regarding my own actions. But regardless of what I’ve done, you all deserved the truth. Especially you.”

Sevryn looks away first, and that upsets me more than if he were shouting. At least then, we’d all know he’s pissed. A silent Sevryn…none of us are used to that.

Silence usually never follows us when Gladian’s around us. Someone—well, Riven or me—is usually running their mouth. No one seems to know what to say right now.

Fuck.

Every secret we’ve uncovered feels less like separate pieces and more like strands in the same tangled knot tightening around all our throats.

“Well,” Amick says, clearing his throat. “I believe that’s enough sharing at this time. You two need to return to your home, catalog any changes you notice, and have a conversation with Chasin. If he has any questions, I’ll answer them for him. It’d also be wise for the three of you to go speak with Ellian again. Mara, you and Chasin should offer your blood back to the Volreen. It will give you both new Deliverances that could lead you two to your Valtrue members, and possibly Chasin has a member or members out there and they just aren’t complete yet.”

Mara hangs her head but nods nonetheless. Gladian’s face softens for a split second as he glances at her.

Those features are gone when he peers back at Amick.

“Is there anything else you’d like to share with us or warn us about?”

“Not at the moment. Possibly soon here in the future, but we all need to have a conversation about that first.”

It takes Gladian a great deal of restraint not to press for more, but when Mara lays her hand on his bicep, he gives up his fight.

“Very well. We’ll see you all…soon, I suppose.”

He cast Sevryn a long look. One I’m not sure if Sevryn returns because I don’t peek over at him. I hold Mara’s gaze and give her a small, tight smile, attempting to ease the worries on her face.

Wordlessly, the two of them starshoot out, and the seven of us sit here in silence. I circle my temples, attempting to alleviate the pressure building in my head, but it isn’t working. My fingers soon freeze when a humorless snort slices through the quiet.

“How long have you all known?” Sevryn asks. “And don’t act shocked. It was clear as the fucking sky when he said it that it wasn’t a surprise for all of you.”

“Since Oddian,” Creed grunts.

“And no fucking one thought to tell me before now?”

There’s the familiar anger.

“Of course, we all thought about it and wanted to say something to you,” I say. “The only reason we didn’t is because we didn’t know all of that and when I cornered Gladian about it, he asked to be the one to tell you. I told him he better make it sooner rather than later.”

He opens his mouth to respond, but Amick holds his hand up.

“I’d like to point out that the five of us just learned that when, how, and who delivers news affects every outcome. So, before you go off on a tangent, I’d like for you to think about how you may have reacted differently hearing it from us compared to him.”

“Amick.” I sigh. “We can’t use that as an excuse every time we keep a secret or don’t share information with each other.”