Page 55 of Hallowed Games
He shrugged, shaking his head. A line formed between his eyebrows. “You make me feel less alone. And the way you try to look after someone you care about…anyway.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’ll return tomorrow night, Elowen.”
“I thought you weren’t supposed to be in here.”
He shook his head. “I’m the Raven Lord. No one is really watching what I’m doing. I can help you prepare a little for the next trial. With my help, I’m certain I can get you out of here.”
“How exactly will you help me prepare?”
Shadows twined through the air around him. “You’ll need to find a way to focus through extreme temptation. And that, love, is my specialty.”
CHAPTER 25
Luminari had woken us early, barking at us that consequences must be meted out, that we would reap what we sowed. I had no idea what they were talking about, but I gathered some sort of punishment awaited us before breakfast.
Right now, the surviving Penitents were walking across the courtyard. I was flanked by Hugo and Godric. Coral morning light spread over the long grasses and golden walls surrounding us. Up ahead, Sion led the charge. He wasn’t here for the discipline, was he? Not like Maleor. No, Sion was simply ruthless. Maybe he enjoyed the Order because he craved domination. And what better place to fulfill it?
Right now, he was leading us to a large, domed temple across from the central castle. I hadn’t completely awakened, and my mind kept sliding back to the spirit of that poor woman I’d seen last night, trying to get home to her son. Maelor wanted me to get back to Leo—but what about her and everyone else?
“Elowen?” Hugo elbowed me. “Are you listening?”
I blinked hard. “What did you ask?”
“You didn’t tell us how you survived the wolves. The Pater said no one survives after nightfall.”
I smiled blearily. “Some things are just a mystery.”
“Right. Best not to ask too many questions,” said Godric. “With all the rules they’ve got here.”
It took me a moment to understand what he meant. Godric probably assumed I had killed the wolves with my deadly touch. But he was right about one thing—it was better not to ask questions.
Hugo turned, surveying the surviving prisoners. “More than half of us have died now.” His white-blond hair hung before his eyes, and he looked exhausted. “May the dead find their way peacefully to the afterworld,” he muttered listlessly.
Godric glowered. “But you know who’s still alive? Bloody Guillaume.”
“What do you think they meant?” asked Hugo. “About you reap what you sow?”
I bit my lip. That particular phrase was never used in a pleasant context, was it? It was never like, All that time you put into learning the lute has made you a beautiful musician! You reap what you sow. It was generally something awful. Whatever it was, we’d find out soon enough.
I glanced behind me to find Lydia walking with her arms folded. She arched an eyebrow at me like a challenge. I’m still here, old friend.
If she was thankful that I’d saved her life yesterday, she wasn’t showing it.
Percival sidled up and slid an arm around my shoulders for a moment. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re here with us. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when the Magister took you away.”
Up ahead, Sion prowled toward the temple with that languid stride. Towering above everyone, he walked with an easy, catlike gate. His broad shoulders were relaxed, not a care in the world. But I suppose if you had zero morals and the gift of immortality, there wouldn’t be much to worry about, would there? A breeze toyed with the loose strands of his dark hair, and he turned back to flash us a half-smile. The morning sunlight illuminated his sharp jawline and golden eyes. Were all vampires blessed with such extreme beauty in exchange for their souls?
By the look on his face, I knew he was looking forward to whatever horror he was about to unleash on us.
I leaned in closer to Hugo, whispering, “You mentioned vampires.”
“Ah, yes. In the kingdom of Sumaire—”
I raised my finger to my lips. “Not so loud. Whisper.” Then I mouthed, “Is there a way to kill them?”
His forehead wrinkled. “Not that I know of. But there must be. The gods wouldn’t allow anything truly immortal to survive because then they would be gods, too.” He cleared his throat. “If the gods exist.”
I nodded. I wasn’t sure if Hugo knew what he was talking about, but he’d been right so far.
Up ahead, Sion pushed open the doors of the temple, and we crossed into the dark, damp building. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust inside. Light streamed in from the oculus in the center, casting most of the rest of the temple in shadow. Gargoyles leered from the walls, and the ring of blindfolded torchbearers held their flickering torches above them.