Page 123 of Catalyst


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“We have already lost so many to their next life,” Hedri continued. “And the life pool was destroyed in a raid.”

“There are no new births,” Charos said.

“Your people are dying, and your gods along with them,” Riseir finished.

No.

“But what can I do?” I asked, my body trembling with the great sadness of knowing I was one of the few who were left.

Hedri lowered himself to the floor and sat at eye level with me. I tried not to breathe too loudly as, with his terrifying soft smile still in place, he explained, “When you bond with your soul pair, you will regain the powers of old. It will be weaker than before since it is divided with another body, but power, you will have. You will see a thread of the universe and be able to manipulate it.” He patted the marble floors. “It is quite nice down here.” He looked at his god-brothers and said, “You should join us.”

Charos scoffed, crossed his arms, and changed his stance.

Riseir closed his eyes for a second and then said, “We will save your soul pair and allow you to bond with her without the required intercourse, although that will be necessary to keep the bond strong.”

I gasped. “You honor me with such a gift.”

“It is not for free,” Charos growled.

I nodded understanding. I would do anything to save her.

“It is also not simple,” Riseir warned, and my heart sank to my stomach. “I’m afraid your soul pair was born into Earth’s laws of magic, and those require a familiar, which she is, to have a witch. Her witch is dying. She needs a new one to bond with to stabilize her. That is something out of our control.”

A witch. A new witch. Who—

“Charlie! He’s a witch!” I exclaimed, almost bouncing from the floor. Then I added in a more subdued tone, “But he doesn’t know how to do any magic. How does he bond with her?”

Hedri was lying down now, and he spoke as though he were just about to fall asleep. “He need only touch her, find her life thread, and attach it to his own.”

I had a feeling it would be infinitely more complicated than that, but who was I to argue with a god? My soul pair, my Little Cat, my Clawdia had a chance now, and I would not ruin it.

I took a deep breath, tried to calm my racing heart, and asked, “What is it you would like in return for my help?”

“With your soul pair, your new powers and your … questionable choice in friends, you will free your kind and reestablish our society and religion.”

It was a lifetime’s work. It would be hard and terrifying, but we could do it. My mismatched family could do it. I could do it with their support.

A question, a blasphemous question, appeared in my mind. I tried to shake it away, but it wouldn’t leave me. After a few moments of debate, I asked, “Why don’t you help? You are the gods.”

“How dare you—” Charos eyes lit up like black flame, and I stiffened, wondering why anyone listened to the little voice inside their head.

Hedri waved a hand in the air. “It is natural that he questions.” He opened one eye to look at me. “We may not interfere personally in the lives of our subjects. It would be cheating.”

“You are helping me. Is that not cheating?”

Hedri smiled. “We are only interfering with the fate of a poor familiar who is the soul pair to a titan.”

Riseir explained further, “You will still have to make all the right choices when you go back to ensure you all survive. We are only allowing you to bond with your soul pair without intercourse in order to save her. We are priming you both to be our hands.”

The gods’ hands. Charlie will not believe this.

I nodded. “I will do whatever you want.”

Charos scoffed. “Of course you will.”

“Excellent.” Hedri clapped and stood in one fluid motion. “In order for you to master your gifts quickly, we are sending our son to train you all. Only when he deems you ready will you be allowed to save your people.”

“And to ensure that you hurry with your training, we offer you some incentive.” Charos’s smile was cruel, and it seemed to become all-encompassing as my world faded to black.

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