“I think that’s pretty unfair.” She crossed the room and handed me one of the steaming cups.
“You wouldn’t say that if you grew up in a world full of them,” Archer said from the door.
“Aeris is different. She’s only been benevolent and giving.”
I sat, sliding the book under my leg, ignoring the way the heat of it raced across my thigh. Alastor’s marks around my wrist pulsed. I was reaching my wits’ end with magic, but still I swallowed it down, refusing to let them see. “Where’d she come from last night, Althea? Why did she happen to show up right in the middle of the chaos? Explain it.”
“I… I don’t know,” Thea admitted, her brow furrowing. “She just appeared, like she always does when we need her. She tried to calm Quill down, but at that point, there was no reasoning with her.”
I took a sip of the tea, letting the warmth seep into my bones. “And Reverius or Thorne or whatever the fuck his name is? What happened to him?”
Archer leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. “He vanished not long after Aeris showed up. One minute he was there, looking like he wanted to tear through your creepy magic dome thing, and the next, he was gone.”
It was too convenient, too neat. Gods didn’t show up out of nowhere without an agenda. I’d learned that lesson the hard way.
Thea’s lying.
They’re all lying.
They know you can’t trust Aeris.
Break them before they break you.
“We can’t trust her,” I said firmly, fighting to keep my voice steady as the Remnants grew louder. “No matter howbenevolent she seems. The moment we let our guard down is the moment gods strike. She has an angle. You’re going to have to trust me on this.”
Thea’s face fell. “But she’s been nothing but helpful and kind, Paesha. When’s the last time you trusted anyone? Honestly. And Quill’s going to be pissed if you try to cut her off from Aeris. You know how she is about her friends.”
“Paesha trusted me and look how that turned out,” Archer said with a small smile.
“I’ve not made my mind up about you yet, Archer Bramwell.”
His smile widened and a glimpse of my friend peeked through. “I’m quite charming when I want to be.”
“All men think they’re charming. Most are disgusting.” She took a sip, watching him carefully.
“Lucky for you, I haven’t been disgusting for at least six months.”
She smiled, rolling her eyes. “Nice try.”
I watched the easy banter between Archer and Thea with a mix of emotions. On one hand, it warmed my heart to see them getting along. On the other, a twinge of jealousy and loneliness tugged at me. I pushed it aside, focusing on the matter at hand and not on the book burning beneath my thigh.
The marks pulsed again, sending a wave of dizziness through me. The patterns had spread farther, now covering most of my arms and I’d guess my legs, if the burning was any indication. Alastor’s power sank deeper. I was running out of time. Out of freedom.
“Look,” I said, drawing their attention back. “I know Aeris seems okay. But we need to be cautious. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that gods always have hidden agendas.”
Thea sighed. “I understand your mistrust, P. But maybe not all gods are the same? Aeris has done some good?—”
“Was it good? Where are all the people in the city?”
She opened her mouth to speak, paused, and then said nothing as she considered the question.
“There was no one when we walked through, was there?” I asked Archer.
“I didn’t see a soul.”
“You can’t focus on perceived good, Thea. Thorne was good. Until he wasn’t, so that argument isn’t going to win with me. That’s how they draw you in. It’s all kindness and gifts until you’re so wrapped around them you can’t see straight. We don’t risk it. Not with Quill. Not with her power.”
Archer nodded. “Where I’m from, the gods toy with mortals for sport. It’s safer to keep our distance.”
