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However, Sky’lar simply nodded at the High Priestess’s cryptic words, as though this was not unusual.
“Of course, High Priestess—we would expect nothing less,” she said simply.
Torin nodded as well and said nothing, though he wished they could get whatever “test” the Priestess was talking about over with. Portex Three’s sun was beating down on his head like a golden hammer, making him see the enormous Shrine entrance—which was carved all over with snakes and other strange symbols—through a heat haze.
“Step forward, Special Agent Sky’lar,” the High Priestess said. “I must test you both individually and then together.”
Sky’lar stepped forward. If the dry heat of the Deep Desert bothered her, she didn’t show it.
The High Priestess raised her white staff above her head and brought it down slowly so that the pale blue flame was almost directly in Sky’lar’s face.
To her credit, Sky’lar didn’t budge but Torin couldn’t follow suit. He took a quick stride forward, ready to knock the flame away before it could burn his female.
“Do not fear, Warrior,” the High Priestess said coolly. “The Flame of Purity and Divination burns only evil. If you and your partner have pure intentions, it will not scorch you.”
Torin still didn’t like it but it was clear that despite the flame’s proximity, Sky’lar was unburned. She gave him a look and he stepped back, though he was ready to leap forward again if she was harmed.
“I see that your partner is most protective of you, my dear,” the High Priestess said to Sky’lar. “Is he truly your spouse?”
The blue flame flickered for a moment and Torin wondered what Sky’lar was going to say. They had agreed to pose as spouses in order to get into the Shrine but somehow lying to the High Priestess about their relationship status seemed like a poor idea.
“No,” Sky’lar said at last. “Though I have considered bedding him, High Priestess. He is one of my kind—a Kindred—and I have never been with any males that were not Serpentine, since I was raised here, on Portex Three.”
The tongue of flame at the end of the High Priestess’s staff flared pure white for a moment.
“Very good.” The High Priestess nodded, as though satisfied with Sky’lar’s answer. “And you wish to catch this killer, you speak of for what reason?”
“To keep him from killing again,” Sky’lar said earnestly. “So many lives have been lost—I want to stop him!”
The flame flared white again and the High Priestess nodded.
“Excellent. You may step back.” She beckoned to Torin. “And you, Warrior—step forward.”
Torin did as she asked and stood there, unflinching, as the pale blue tongue of flame came within inches of his face. There wasn’t any heat at all, he noted—it looked like fire but moved more like liquid. Could it be some kind of contained plasma?
“Don’t worry about my Flame, Warrior,” the High Priestess murmured. “It does its job whether you stare at it or not. Now—do you swear that you only wish to enter the Shrine in order to catch this killer you speak of?”
“Yes, of course!” Torin growled.
The flame flared but to his surprise, there was some red mixed with the white this time.
“That is not the whole truth,” the High Priestess hissed disapprovingly. “Tell me quickly, Warrior—for what other reason do you wish entry to the Shrine?”
“I…” Torin swallowed, not sure what to say. “I guess I want to stay near Sky’lar,” he said at last. “She has become…dear to me in the short period of time we’ve been working together. I don’t want her going into danger alone.” He didn’t look at Sky’lar as he said this—he wasn’t sure what she would think of his words.
This time, the flame flared pure white.
“Good.” The High Priestess nodded, apparently satisfied by his answer this time. “There is feeling between the two of you—that’s excellent. Now, Special Agent Sky’lar, come forward and stand at your partner’s side.”
Sky’lar did as she asked, coming to stand beside Torin. The look on her face was unreadable and he wished he knew what she was thinking.
“Join hands,” the High Priestess instructed.
Torin reached for Sky’lar’s hand, entwining their fingers and squeezing gently. She squeezed back, though she still didn’t look at him.
“Good—stand just as you are.” The High Priestess ran the flickering blue flame up and down both their bodies. When it came to their clasped hands, it flared a brilliant red, which seemed to please the Priestess.
“Good—very good.” She nodded. “It is clear that you desire each other greatly.”
“Forgive me, Your Holiness, but why is that important?” Sky’lar asked, frowning.
Torin wondered the same thing. They were there to work together to catch the killer—not do anything else.
“It is important because in order to enter during the Day of Fertility, the two of you must be willing to participate in the ritual,” the High Priestess told them sternly.
