Page 52 of The Gods Order

“Eating your barrier?” I ask.

“The barrier wasn’t built to withstand endless corruption. It was built to contain and separate it.”

“And now there’s too much,” Creed says.

“Yes. Every time Kira releases more corrupt power, the barrier absorbs the strain. Filters it. Pushes it back. It’s been doing that too long. It’s tired.”

What he isn’t saying clicks into place.

“You can’t reinforce it because it gives you away.” He opens his mouth, but I keep going. “The barrier around Hellveilious isn’t failing because the beings inside aren’t corrupt. Well, their power isn’t corrupt.”

“The side connected to the Abandon is weakening. Fortunately, the beings inside can’t sense it or test their luck since they’re inside of mountains.”

“Fuck,” Creed mutters.

“I said that to warn you. I know you all went to the heart of the Abandon recently, but the heart and Kira’s house have two totally different levels of corruption. You cannot approach going there recklessly, Thayla.”

Something in his tone almost pulls me backward twenty years.

I shove it away.

“We weren’t planning to.”

“Good,” Meridamus says. “Because obtaining his Binding isn’t the only challenge. Locating it will be the first. He’s either keeping it on him or guarding it heavily.”

Amick straightens. “You believe he knows we’re collecting them?”

“I’m not sure. But he’s suspicious about Sabe’s disappearing. He definitely thinks you had something to do with it.”

“So first we find out if it’s at his house or on him. How?” I ask.

“Ol’ fake name here and Big DD will go to the Neutral and give him a hug. Pat him down real good,” Riven says.

I snort.

That would be hilarious, honestly.

“If I hugged him, he’d stab me,” Derivius says.

“You think I’d fare better?” Meridamus asks.

“Neither of you will need to hug him,” Amick says, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I can’t believe you fed into that.”

“Oh, you got a better idea?” Riven asks.

“Yes.”

My gaze meets Amick’s, and understanding dawns on me.

“Doren,” I whisper. “That would drain him.”

“Possibly,” Amick says. “But we’re not retrieving it the same day. We just need to test whether he leaves the Abandon with or without it.”

“But how—”

“They meet at the Neutral,” Creed says. “Derivius gives us a sign, and Doren tracks. If he can locate it, he’ll know if it’s in Valveilious or the Abandon.”

My mouth parts. I whip my attention to the Beginning Gods.