4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

M alik led the way to the Temple of Ahrea, only the sounds of nighttime frivolity around us. He walked with his back straight, shoulders tense. He's pissed. But was it pissed that I'd left, or was it because I'd gone to the tavern? Knowing him, it could be both.

While Malik—the Second of the Copper Jackals—was revered as well as feared in Dusmir, the only person he listened to was his sister, and Veth could be a pushover for her little brother.

There were stories about his esprit—the soul's magic essence, according to Marus. People whispered that Malik could curse someone with a look or inflict hours of torture in a second. Considering esprit was a reflection of the soul manifested, it made sense, but it scared people as much as it made them respect him.

But Malik protected Dusmir when the king and his council—the Dawn Conclave, made up of the five sworn High Houses—didn't. Though I should say four: the Quinns died in a fire nearly fourteen years ago. He wanted me to join their guild and leave the temple. The high priestess ensured that wasn't possible.

It was a shame the king and the Dawn Conclave opposed the formation of guilds. They made keeping the kingdom safe easier on them. But since they couldn't control the guilds as they did their armies, it likely grated on them. And there was concern the king could change the laws surrounding guilds. Too bad for the king that the guilds made it hard by operating within the law.

He stopped at the temple's limestone steps, and I bumped into him, stumbling back a bit. I smiled sheepishly and ran my fingers through the length of my hair. He crossed his arms, leaning against the stone railing, and I watched a lotus floating in the nearby pond.

"Naomi owes you her life, and I owe you for coming." He sighed. "I've heard Klareth has been extra bitchy lately. You can still leave. Join the guild."

I shook my head. "You know I can't."

His brows pinched together. "Then need I remind you of your promise?" To his credit, Malik kept his tone even.

I bit my inner cheek. "I haven't forgotten."

Malik had been the one to bring Teeg to the temple a year and a half ago. He'd sought me out and demanded that I keep him as far from Klareth as possible. Funny, considering I was the person Klareth kept leashed nearby. Malik wouldn't answer when I'd asked why. Not even Veth would tell me, but I promised all the same.

He faced the empty street, his expression bored despite his tense posture. "A small town to the west reported disappearances. Everyone we found was dead." He kicked a stray rock. "Naomi must have Ahrea's luck to have made it back here alive with that wound."

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

King Olbecht and the High Houses never used any resources investigating the increasing number of disappearances over the past few years, leaving the Copper Jackals and Midnight Wolves to pick up their slack. Neither guild had gleaned much. If only they'd put aside their rivalry and work together, they might make headway in figuring out why.

"Did she come back alone?" I asked.

"Her team is dead, if that's what you're asking."

My hands fell to my sides, and my gaze drifted back to the lone lotus in the pond.

"Go inside. Remember to keep that bit—"

"Watch what you say about the high priestess, Second," came Alissa's sickeningly sweet voice.

She stopped a careful distance from Malik, her face flushed, and I couldn't help but wonder what Caelus had said to her.

Her sharp eyes landed on me. "And you should be in your room or the Chamber of Gods, Tempest."

At least she hadn't seen me at the tavern. Great, now I'd have to thank Caelus . If I ever see him again .

"I was just heading inside," I said, taking a step past where Malik leaned against the railing.

He tipped forward, whispering, "Keep the boy safe, Tempest."

I focused on continuing to walk as though he'd said nothing, but my shoulders bore the weight of his request. Every time Malik used my title, I felt like he expected more—like his words were that of the people of Dusmir. Maybe they are.

But why did I care what he thought? The people viewed the Divine as beacons of hope. Yet I was as good as helpless, unable to use my abilities to help as often as I wanted because of a bond that leashed me to Klareth. And really, I couldn't use the tempest for anything other than healing people behind Klareth's back.

I wanted to run back into the tavern and enjoy the night. Talk to Caelus. Pretend I could do more. But I endured with heavy steps, until I was inside the large, cold temple and back to my room.

There was no sense in letting myself believe that I could have what everyone took for granted. Not while I was here, and not while Klareth lived. I would be stuck in the temple for decades. My mind wandered to my brief conversation with Caelus. His handsome features and charm lingered until I drifted off.