Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“ W ell, that went spectacularly terribly,” Juliette said.

That was an understatement. But he didn’t particularly want to discuss it with the others. He wanted to discuss it with Rose. The one person he knew wouldn’t judge him for what they’d all just witnessed.

He held a god. His power—unaided—had momentarily rivaled Aterra’s.

Their attempt to contain Aterra had been a joke. They were woefully unprepared, and yet, something had happened. He wished he understood it. His magic flared, and he pulled it tight. He needed to clear his head.

“I agree. I’m going to set up camp.” He didn’t wait to hear anyone’s objections as he walked toward the opening in the trees where they’d left the horses. Running his fingers through his hair, he replayed the battle in his head.

As he got further from the others, he let his magic unfurl. It should feel depleted from what he did in the cabin, but it seemed invigorated. Unleashed, his power lifted rocks and leaves, anything not rooted in the ground. He wasn’t sure what to make of it.

The Compass Points were supposed to be able to overcome a god—but as a group—not an individual. His mind returned to what Juliette had said about the communion between a Compass Point and their patron. Was she right? Was there something connecting him and Aterra? He didn’t want a connection to the god disrupting the balance. He wanted to stop him and return to his new life with Rose.

How had he held Aterra without the others? Were the others capable of this? No, Rose and Juliette’s power together barely contained Aterra for even less time than his, though, whatever they had done was certainly something that needed further exploration. That was what Rose had been trying to reproduce since Loch. He rolled his neck as he thought. Were all their elements able to merge like that? Or only like elements?

How could so much be unknown about connections between Compass Points and how they were supposed to fulfill their purpose? The connection between a Compass Point and their patron drew his attention back. If Juliette communed with Zrak in that way, was it possible for the rest of them?

In the moments his power had held Aterra, the Suden god’s gaze had locked on him as if he’d expected it. The moment tugged on a memory, one Luc couldn’t quite reach.

He stood on the cliff’s edge. He hadn’t realized he had wandered so far from the horses. Seeing the stark, deadly overlook made him reach for his magic. The large, jagged rocks below felt like clumps of sand he could crush between two fingers. He was far past believing that his power was normal, even for a Compass Point, but he envied Rose’s weapons-making ability at this moment. He would like to evaluate someone else’s magic, just for some reassurance that there were others with power as deep as his.

“Your magic is not normal, but you already know that.” Rose’s voice was soft as she approached.

She’d extricated herself from the others. Somehow, knowing that was exactly what he needed. He didn’t say anything as she continued her progress toward him. Standing on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his chest and rested her head on his shoulder so that her front was flush with his back. Wordlessly, he slouched to make the position more comfortable for her. They breathed together, silently staring at the waves crashing against the unforgiving cliffs.

Finally, he turned to her, unsure what he’d say. “I held him.”

Rose nodded. “You did.” She paused. “Do you know how?”

A chill rushed up his spine as the memory came forth. “Do you remember the scene I shared with you about my first Compass Point meeting?”

Rose nodded. This was the memory that had evaded him earlier.

“I want to show you another part…after the meeting.” He paused. “It was always a little odd, but it was the one time I know I saw Aiden with the gray eyes, and they looked at me just like they did today.”

Rose took Luc’s outstretched hands, and his mind shadow pulled her along as he remembered his first time alone with the ex-Norden Point.

The Vesten and Osten Points left the room immediately. Luc didn’t linger on purpose, but he hadn’t rushed to leave like the others. He organized his notes and papers, his gaze roaming the room, unexpectedly meeting the Norden Point’s.

“Congratulations on your first meeting,” Aiden said.

Luc nodded, unsure how to respond, given their interaction.

“You’ll get the hang of it quickly.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Luc said carefully. He didn’t want to make enemies, but he wouldn’t cave to the Norden Point like the others seemed to. It was then Luc noted a flash as the Norden Point’s eyes turned gray. Hadn’t his eyes been blue?

“Who are your parents?” the Norden Point asked. He studied Luc like he hadn’t just spent the last few hours in a room with him.

Luc’s brow furrowed. He didn’t get this question so directly anymore. Most were aware by now that his father was unknown. “I figured the Compass Points would already be well informed on that gossip,” he replied coldly.

“Humor me.”

“Rebecca of Loch is my mother, and my father is unknown.”

“Finally,” Luc swore the Norden Point whispered, but the slow smile that spread across his pale face made Luc uncomfortable.

“As I said,” Luc replied. “Expect my rebuttal to the fund reallocation proposal shortly.” He held the gray-eyed gaze for another moment before exiting the room.

Luc pulled them back, his hands still clasped to Rose’s.

“That was the only time you saw them?” Rose asked.

“I think so….” Luc paused. “I can’t say that I studied Aiden’s eyes with any frequency. That scene sticks out because I saw the change happen. And the way he looked at me then. It was so similar to how Aterra looked at me today.”

“What do you think it means?” Rose asked.

“I don’t know what to say except that I think my power matches his.” Luc shrugged off the massive statement. He was doing everything he could to downplay the insanity of his words. She would see through that, though. She didn’t respond, letting him process his thoughts and continue.

“Do you ever wonder what he’s done to try to disrupt the balance?” Luc asked.

“Aterra? You mean besides taking Aurora hostage and interfering with a Compass Point?” she said. “What else do you think he did?”

“I don’t know. I suspect those are simply steps on a path that seeks to increase his own power. But I can’t figure out how they fit. I just can’t imagine a god would risk it all to bully the Compass Points. There has to be more.”

She tilted her head, evaluating his words and where his thought process was leading.

Luc continued, “You know how the Compass Points and the fae came to be. Aterra was the only one who didn’t think the gods owed the continent anything. Yet, he had to follow the compass scheme because he couldn’t overrule the other gods.” Luc shook his head again. “I’m sure the first thing he did once the fae had been created and the Covenant was made was to find a way to ensure he never had to do something like that again. I bet he searched for a way to overpower the others next time, should it come to that.”

Rose scrunched her nose. “That makes sense, but I’m not sure we can know that. It also doesn’t get us closer to understanding what he would have done to pursue more power. How does a god increase their power?”

“If there is a connection between gods and Compass Points, then maybe the action is simple—make sure you have a powerful Suden Point in place…” Luc trailed off.

Her eyes widened briefly as he knew she heard what he wasn’t saying.

Luc pulled his hand down his face. “I don’t know.” Maybe if he kept repeating that, he would find a different response. “What am I supposed to do? It wasn’t all of us working together—it was just me. And even that was only successful for seconds.”

Rose took his hand. She had a crooked smile on her face as she replied. “Didn’t you tell me last night that you wished I didn’t have to carry so much alone? That you supported me? Let me do the same for you. That’s what partners are for.”

The laugh lines on her face calmed him somehow. “That doesn’t sound like me.” He shook his head.

“You’re wonderful, Luc. I’m a big fan.” Her smile grew wide. “But not even I think you alone are meant to save us. We need to figure out how we unite our magics—across elements. I do not doubt your messy power is required for our success.”

How did she do that? With so few words, she supported him and teased him for the self-importance of his thoughts. She didn’t just soothe him. His magic calmed with her words. It was no longer restless and eager for use. He was able to regain his usual hold on it. He would never know how he got so lucky as to find her. She was exactly what he needed, what he wanted—always.

His lip curled into a wry grin. He saw Rose’s eyes light up before he even spoke. Apparently, she could read him as well as he could read her. “What would I do without you to put me in my place?”

“Probably brood over here for another few hours,” she said.

His hands covered his heart, as if her words stabbed him there. “Maybe we want to talk about the attributes of mine of which you are a fan? It would help my crumbling ego.”

She playfully shoved his shoulder. He caught her hand and wrapped it around his neck. Her fingers didn’t need encouragement as they laced themselves in his hair. He stepped into her space. He wanted nothing between them but knew this wasn’t the time. “Thank you.” He pressed his lips to the edge of hers, then felt them curve at the contact. Her face turned, and her mouth sought his as she returned a lingering kiss.

It took all his self-restraint to step back. He watched as her eyes danced at his movement.

“Tease,” she said.

He would get lost in her for days if he could. His smirk was back as he shook his head slowly. “We should go learn how to unify our magic, right?” He knew the correct answer was to return to camp, but he didn’t want to.

She laced her fingers in his as they left the natural meeting point of the deadly cliffs and mighty ocean.

“So, what’s next?” Carter asked as they were back within earshot of the others. Luc didn’t understand the Vesten Point. Sometimes, he seemed so afraid of his own shadow, and others, he was ready to persevere.

“We are not going to ignore whatever happened with Luc’s magic,” Juliette said, bringing her hands to her hips. Only yesterday, she had been warming up to him. His inadvertent display of power must have put her back on her guard.

“There’s nothing to say,” Luc replied. “I don’t know what happened. It was so short a time. I don’t think it’s a key piece to our strategy. It seems more relevant to focus on whatever you and Rose did.”

Juliette pursed her lips and looked at Rose. “What do you think?”

This was new. Juliette had been in her position the longest. She’d held her own against a whole separate set of Compass Points. He’d never seen her proactively defer to another.

“I think the scale of Luc’s power will be important in whatever we’re meant to do.” Rose’s gaze darted to Luc. “But I don’t think he is meant to do it alone. We need to figure out how to merge our magics, like you and I did.”

“But you and Juliette wield the same element. Do you think we could do that with other elements?” Carter cut in.

“We need to find out,” Rose said. “The more I think about it, the more it seems like what we’re missing. No matter what we saw with Luc’s power today, it’s unreasonable to think one of us could hold a god. There has to be some way to unify our powers. This is the second time Juliette and I found a way to do that, even if it was through shared elements. We would be foolish not to explore that further.”

Carter looked thoughtful.

Rose glanced down at the compass as she tugged it from beneath her tunic. “We could always follow the compass again,” she said, reading it. “It’s pointing north. At least Aterra doesn’t know that’s how we found him.” Rose shrugged.

“It seems fruitless to follow him again if we know we can’t stop him,” Juliette said. “We should find some way to test your theories before we pursue him. As you say, we are clearly on to something.”

“We weren’t able to get it to happen again while we were pushing the horses. I’m not sure what the key is that allows me to reach for your magic in the first place.”

“I think I have to open my power to you while you’re reaching for it. I can’t be using it on my own.”

“Well, that’s new,” Carter said.

“You saw how my wind stream dissipated as Rose pulled my magic. I still think we’re missing something though,” Juliette added.

“What do you mean?” Rose asked.

“I would have ceded my magic to you when we tried to push the horses. I was waiting for your tug, like in Loch. But I never felt it.”

Rose nodded and looked to Carter. Luc wondered what she was thinking. It was like he could hear her mind working. He didn’t have to wait long.

“Carter, do you think there is anything in the Vesten histories that could help us? I know you said you didn’t get through much of them, but they seem an important source.” Luc loved watching her like this. She relentlessly thought through an option once an idea started forming in her mind. “Would you be willing to let us all read them?”

Carter seemed understandably apprehensive. These were texts that he wasn’t even allowed to read when he was a scholar. Only select scholars and the Vesten Point could see them. Luc thought she’d maybe finally asked too much of him. But then his hand reached into his pants pocket, no doubt grasping the coin, and he nodded.

Luc covered his smirk. Rose had won him over more than he’d realized by giving him the Vesten artifact.

“We have pretty comprehensive journals from Kenna,” Carter said. “She was the original Vesten Point.”

“Sandrin, then?” Rose asked. “I think we’re on the right path with our powers working together, but I think we need to find a way to do more of what my and Juliette’s wind did. I’m hoping we can find more detail on how this is supposed to work in texts from the time of the Covenant. They couldn’t have left us this blind on how to achieve our purpose.” She let out a tired breath. “And if we don’t find anything, we practice what Juliette and I have been doing to keep our powers familiar with each other.”

“It also keeps us moving north,” Luc added. “Even if we don’t learn anything, we’re still following Aterra’s trail.”

Her shoulders sagged just a little at his comment, like all she needed were those few words of support. She looked at the others. “Any objections?”

“Well, that, at least, sounds like the start of a plan,” Juliette said, “if still a bad one.”

“I started reading Kenna’s works when I became Vesten Point,” Carter said, scratching his brow. “She seemed particularly interested in the Compass Points’ powers, likely because they were so unknown and everyone was still adjusting to existence.”

“Do you think they will have any information about the connection between a god and their Compass Point?” Luc asked.

All eyes fell on him. He arched an eyebrow. “You were all thinking it,” Luc said wryly as he waited for Carter’s response.

“It’s possible,” Carter started. “I can’t guarantee her journals have what we need, but I agree with Juliette. It’s worth looking into before we chase after Aterra again. We need something to be different before another confrontation.”

“It sounds like the best plan we have,” Rose said. “Let’s get going.”

Luc knew Carter was cautioning him not to get his hopes up, that he didn’t know what was in these journals. But Luc realized he had his own goal. Rose’s assessment was correct. He wasn’t intended to save the continent alone, but there had to be a reason his power was different. It should be able to do something that could help them. If he could hold a god, even for a moment, what else could he do?