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"And do what?" I countered. "If an initiate priest shows up in your temple, what good will it do? What are the chances that your leadership would even talk to them?"
"Haylea wouldn't," Will admitted. "She doesn't have time for such minor things."
"Julyen is lost to me," Charisma admitted.
"But what if something changes?" Bode asked. "What if Arion wonders about them? How would I even act on that? We need their help, Zeal. You took the one priestess who can see us and hoarded her for your little sexual games. You're wasting her!"
"He's not," Merci countered. "He loves her. He's protecting her, even at the expense of everything else. Just because you have never felt love doesn't mean it isn't real."
"She's just a mortal," Will grumbled.
I turned to snap at him, but Bode held up a hand, stopping me. "She is, Zeal. The girl may be impressive, but sheisa mortal. This? It's a problem that is much bigger than her. It's bigger than even us. If we want Calseth to continue to exist in a century, then we have to act now."
"And do what?" I asked again, but this time my voice was verging on a growl. "You were told to find your faithful. None of your temples have any who are on the edge?"
"None who can see us," Charisma admitted.
"On the edge," I repeated. "The ones who have faith but also doubts. Find them. Follow them. Nudge them to believe a little more. Encourage them to seek out Nari."
"No," Savi said. "Not her. She's too visible. We gave all of them the sight."
My head snapped up and an idea hit me. "The lost one," I breathed, looking around at each of them. "But if any of you hurt him, know that I will have my vengeance, and it will be a lot more than bruises. He ismine, do you understand? As much as the girl, if not more. Mine!"
"If he can help," Will said, sounding exhausted, "then I will treat the man like a king."
With that, I turned and pushed into reality, finding myself in a darkened room beside their bed. Night had mostly passed, and my five had classes soon. They had given me so much already, a little sleep was the least that they deserved. So I sat on the edge of the bed and waited, watching the small clock slowly tick the minutes.
When the hands finally clicked into place, I leaned in and kissed Anver's brow. "You have class," I whispered.
A smile curled his lips as he woke. "Shower?" His words were as soft as mine.
"It's six. You have an hour." Then I stood and walked into their living room.
The sitting room was still empty, waiting for the furniture to be delivered. That meant they lived crushed together in a space that left them no room for real privacy, and yet they all made it work. Impressed with how well this group fit together, I found the kettle and began to heat the water. Next, I chose the tea that Anver liked best, prepared a steeping spoon and cup, then I waited again.
Half an hour later, Anver walked into the living room dressed for his grappling class. He pulled in a long breath, smelling the tea even as I lifted the cup toward him. Cradling it, he took a cautious sip, then a gulp, before finally turning his eyes on mine.
"What?" he asked. "You don't usually have the luxury of hanging around in the mornings anymore."
"I thought I could walk you to class," I said, trying to avoid the real problem for as long as I could.
Anver's eyes were the sort that reminded me of a puppy. They were brown and filled with loyalty, even as he looked at me suspiciously. Slowly, he nodded, and then took another drink of his tea. Setting that down, he made his way across the room for his boots.
While he put those on, I waited. When he gathered his things, I said nothing - and he didn't ask again. Pausing to toss back the last half of his tea in a single gulp, he left the cup on the counter, checked that the kettle burner was off, and then gestured for me to walk with him. The clock on the mantle said it was fifteen minutes earlier than he usually left for class.
"You have time," I pointed out.
"And you aren't talking," he said. "So, we'll walk a few extra laps if you want." He opened the door, waiting until I stepped through, and then closed it behind us both. "Zeal, I'm supposed to be your best friend. That means you should be able to talk to me, and yet I know exactly how hard it is to start a conversation sometimes."
"Charisma doesn't think she'll last the year," I blurted out, his understanding all it took to make this easy. "Bode is better, but not by much. Will tries to pretend like he's fine, but he's not. The very nature of his power is working against him."
"Shit," Anver breathed. "How do I help? I mean, I would do anything to take care of those four, so I can only imagine it's the same for your siblings, right?"
"Different, but close enough," I agreed. "Their problem is that they have no faith. None. When no one can see their gods, it's harder to imagine it being possible. There is no catalyst to inspire the others, and no icon to inspire them to even try. They need help."
"Ok," he agreed, not even fully understanding what I was asking. "What do you need us to do - because you know we'll do it."
"Not them." I stopped, catching his arm to make him face me. "This is for you, Anver. Nari is too visible. Everyone knows that she is the Priestess of Temptation. She is the descendant of the first priestess. She inherited the ability. She is also being watched by Kinen, and I refuse to make any more problems for her."
