27. Kami

27

Kami

I follow the others for what feels like hours before we find a defensible position Oz and Ries approve of, a small, elevated area bordered by dense trees and a wall of rock.

The trees have subtly changed, no longer so close together. The trunks are wider, conifers with pinecones and dark green needles with a few maples and oaks strewn about.

They provide welcome shade, a bit of cool much needed. The temperature is still hot but not as sticky as it was.

We scout around until Ries calls for us. We follow him to a small lake that feels as if it's been plunked in the middle of the forest.

It looks unnatural, perfectly round, the grounds surrounding it neat and trim. Then again, everything we've been dealing with since the Radiant Trials started feels unnatural.

"It's okay." Ries crouches along the shore, swirling his hand in the clear water. "It's free of parasites."

"You sure?" Crash asks .

Ries raises a brow. "I don't have all my water magic, but I can still sense things."

Malkar shrugs. "Sounds good to me." He cups his hand in the lake and starts drinking.

Oz follows suit. After a moment watching them drink up and not die, I take a sip. I'm parched, and the water tastes crisp and clear.

It's not stale from being stagnant. Yet as I look around, I don't see a source contributing to the lake.

"I know, right? But it's there." Ries nods at me.

"What?"

"You feel the currents, which makes the water taste fresher. This source is being fed from Lake Divine, but don't ask me how." He tilts his head, his blond hair shining under a bright sun.

It's with relief that we all drink, the sticky heat of our journey no longer so welcome.

Like the others, I walk into the water fully clothed and sigh with relief.

Sometime later, we wander out and bask under the sun, lying on the grass to dry out.

Within seconds, I'm freezing. The temperature has gone from super hot to super cold in seconds.

Great. Something bad has to be coming.

"Ah." Malkar stretches, his smile open, welcoming. "I haven't felt this good since I kicked Crash's ass."

Crash snorts but doesn't open his eyes, lying next to Malkar. "You wish."

"Um, guys? The cold can't be a good thing." I sit up and look for danger.

"To be honest, I'm glad for it," Oz says. "I don't trust things when it gets too quiet."

I wish this entire shitshow was over. I'm tired of being scared. I'm tired of wondering if this will be my last day—night?—on earth. I'm just fucking tired.

"Now, little dryad, why don't you tell us about the creature you saw in your dream?" Malkar says, his voice quiet, deep.

The others sit up and stare at me, the five of us together in a rough circle on the grass.

"I, um." I glance at Crash. "I think I was dreaming it. I can't seem to remember my dreams." Not since Ahza died. "But it was important."

Crash studies me. "She told me to remember it for her. Stop the war god. And a name. Sebastian. The Ever."

Malkar groans. "This is even worse than these fucked up rituals."

"Explain." Oz scowls. "Now."

Malkar raises a brow. Pauses.

And we're forced to wait while he reinforces his notion of superiority.

"For fuck's sake, just tell us," Crash says, exasperated.

Malkar gives a regal nod. "Because you asked so nicely."

Ries snickers, and like that, the mood eases among us.

"It's not great news, but it makes sense, I suppose. There are five of them, beings with vast power who predate the gods. Who predate everything."

"These Evers? Eternals?" Crash asks.

Malkar nods. "Try not to speak of them if you can help it. They use mortals as pawns. Rumor has it they took part in the death of that Pure and his archangel out west."

Oz blinks. "The monarch in Paradise?"

"Wow. I thought that was all a big lie." Ries blows out a breath. "That's powerful." He gazes at me. "And problematic if one wants to use Kami for some purpose."

Crash scowls. "Not just her. But all of us. That's the tie I've been feeling. Like we're being drawn into a bigger crapfest than this stupid trial."

Malkar nods. "They have purpose here. I feel it too. And if what we saw earlier is real, with Beyrthnel trying to be reborn into this melded plane, then it makes sense there are those with power out to stop it."

Crash shrugs. "Is it really that big a deal if some fae god returns?"

We all look at him in surprise. Crash seemed much more intelligent than that statement warrants.

He flushes. "I know. A war god on the loose is a problem. At least he's a fae god."

"He's trouble," Oz snaps. "And if he gets to come through, you can bet he'll favor his number one worshipper—Rilitar. Beyrthnel will give the elf whatever he wants. Power, protection. Our heads on a platter." Oz bares his sharp teeth. "And that fucker has already lived past his expiration date."

"You want him? Fine. I get Folas."

Malkar snarls, "No. I get Folas."

"Why?" I ask, curious about Malkar. I know something about the others, but Malkar has been beyond secretive. "What is Folas to you, anyway, Malkar?"

Crash smirks. "Shockingly good question from the little dryad."

"Shut it, Crash."

"Be nice, Kami. Or you won't get that fucking you're panting for."

I just roll my eyes. The guy is obviously avoiding me, but since I don't want to sex him up anytime soon, I let it go.

Instead, I study Malkar, aware of the power that stares out at me, as if hungry. He's admitted to being a demon.

But he's something much more.

And I want to know what before he makes his move.

And it's too late.