I frown, because her tone is frantic, panicked tears shining in her eyes.
“Don’t worry, Ettia. It’s only a?—”
But now I see what has her so on edge. Though her hands are wrapped tightly around his fists, they can’t hide the golden glow emanating from between his fingers. I know the color of that light too well.
“Ettia,” I gasp. “Do you know what that is?”
She looks up at me, and the tears stream down her face.
“Please, Sophos, I don’t know how it happened. I swear, we didn’t do anything—hedidn’t do anything. It just happened."
“When?” I demand. “When did he first show signs of the gods’ magic?”
“About three weeks ago,” she sobs. “I’ve barely let him out of the house since then. But look at him, Sophos!” She’s clutching Olin to her, the boy staring out at me from under his black hair with large, frightened eyes. “Do you really think he could’ve stolen this power? He’s just a child.”
My heart beats heavily in my chest, and I feel nauseous. A heretic, here, in my sister’s house. I don’t understand how it’s possible. She is a good, gods-fearing woman. I know this. And yet, here Olin is, tainted by stolen magic.
“It must be some kind of accident,” I say, dazed. “Perhaps some neighbor has been leading him astray. Maybe if I just explain to the Grand Bearer?—”
“No!” Ettia screams, grabbing my sleeve. “No, Sophos. I beg you. You know what the Grand Bearer will do. He’ll take him from me, Sophos. I’ll never see him again.”
Olin’s cries rise up above my sister’s sobs, shaking his entire body. I don’t think he really understands what we’re saying—he’s just scared because his mother is scared. He’s so small, and I picture him now under His Grace’s hand, the power being drawn from him as he is cleansed. I hear the crack of his bones as they break and see the red of his blood spreading across a marble floor.
My whole body recoils at the thought.
I stumble into the kitchen, pouring some water to try to settle myself. Ettia follows me. I know she’s staring at me, terrified, waiting for me to pass judgment. I cannot meet her eyes.
Can I bring that fate onto Olin, even if he has stolen celestial power?
But what if that’s the point? Maybe the gods are trying to test my loyalty to the Temple.
“Sophos, please, talk to me,” Ettia says miserably.
“I need to think,” I say after I’ve choked down some water. It tastes sour on my tongue. “If there’s a way to save him, I will find it,” I say. “But for now…we should keep this between us. The Temple has its systems in place for good reasons, but sometimes they can lack nuance. I won’t tell anyone about Olin until I’ve found a course of action.”
I walk over to her, touching her shoulder.
“But you must promise me something in the meantime,” I say.
“What is it?” she asks, her voice a whisper.
“You must stay here, and keep him hidden. Have him wear gloves if you must take him outside. If you leave Xatus, or if the Temple finds out about him first, I won’t be able to help you.”
She nods. “I’ve been praying to the gods every day, Sophos. I know you came today because you’re meant to help us.”
Fear coils in my gut. I hope she’s right to put her faith in me. Because as I look into Olin’s face, so young and innocent, I find my own faith shaken to the core.
Chapter 34
Morgana
It’s dusk when we reach Hallowbane, the sun dipping low over its mix of gaudy wealth and harsh poverty.
Damia and Stratton flank Tira and me on our horses as Leon rides on ahead. Five humans fan out around us—members of the Hand Harman insisted we take with us, including the person I’ve by now realized is his right-hand woman, Esther. The rest of the fae soldiers stayed behind in Tread with Alastor and Dots. Alastor’s not well enough yet to travel, and Leon didn’t want him left alone with the rebels.
It felt strange to split the group up, but I understand Leon not being ready to fully trust Harman yet.
“Not far now,” he says when I draw parallel with him.
