Marked by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #4)(20)

Apparently, I didn’t know what was good for me, because now I had a kill target on my back. And looking back on how things went down, I still wouldn’t have changed a thing.

From this distance, the city still looked much the same. I couldn’t see the broken windows, the trash in the streets, or some of the smaller structures that had burned down. The taller, more visible buildings stood strong, just like the bridge. But how long would that last? How long, before the Benefactor got his way and took over the city, or the mages reached their breaking point and annihilated everyone who stood in their way? Either outcome meant the destruction of the city I loved, and I couldn’t let it get to that point. Iannis’s self-control was ironclad, and I trusted that he wouldn’t let things get to that point either. But he wasn’t infallible, and the council had already proven they were willing to go behind his back.

Another pulsing ache rippled through my body, and I gritted my teeth as I turned away from the view. Much as I loved it, I hadn’t come up here to gaze down at the city. I’d come here to seek solace. Guidance. From a non-corporeal presence I still wasn’t entirely certain existed.

Mages, shifters, and humans all technically worshipped the same god, though we all had different names and interpretations of Him. The mages called Him the Creator, but rather than praying to him directly, they often sought guidance from the spirit of the very first mage, Resinah. As I understood it, she was something like the Creator’s mouthpiece. I wasn’t totally certain I believed she was real, but I had imagined her voice once or twice, so I couldn’t discount the possibility. And something had drawn me here to Hawk Hill, to her, so what was the harm in trying to seek guidance?

I am real, a voice whispered, and the air shimmered in front of me, indicating the location of the hidden temple I’d only visited once before. Come inside and see.

I spoke the Word Iannis had taught me, and the shimmering increased, like intense heat waves rising from the grass. Even though I was prepared for it this time, it was still shocking to watch Resinah’s temple suddenly appear out of nowhere. The domed building soared above me, the strange blue stone it was made of tinted purple by the sunset. The sunset also made the round, stained glass windows look like rippling fire, and I stared for a moment, my heat forgotten as I was transfixed by the beauty of this place.

Come inside, the voice whispered.

I stepped forward instantly, almost as though the movement was not of my own volition. My feet took me through the arch-shaped doorway, and like before, the heavy, carved door silently swung open to admit me. The fading sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows and the skylight set into the top of the domed ceiling illuminated the space, drawing the eye to the enormous white statue that stood in the center of the temple. Resinah towered there, at least thirty feet tall, her form carved of pure white marble. Long hair flowed over slim, but proud, shoulders, and her long robes hinted at a willowy figure as she cradled a book with one arm while she stretched out the other, palm up. A blue-white flame blazed above her palm, and I wondered just how that flame was maintained. Was it a spell that had to constantly be recharged? Or was the flame from Resinah herself?

You ask many questions, child. But few of them are the right ones.

I scowled. “Great,” I muttered. “So now you’re going to criticize me, too?”

A gentle breeze brushed my cheek. Do not sound so petulant. You have many allies. You encountered some of them over the last few days.

That was true. But it was hard to take comfort in that right this second.

“Are you usually so chatty with everyone who comes into your temple?” I asked, genuinely curious.

There was a pause. Had I shocked Resinah with my cheeky question? Maybe I shouldn’t be so snarky. She would be used to awe and worship from the mages, after all.

No, she finally said. But you need my help, and in turn, you will help others when the time comes. That is why I summoned you here.

And here I thought I came of my own will, I wanted to say, but before I could, the breeze picked up. It swirled around me, tugging my curls out of the bun I’d tied them into, and cooling my skin.

Not just my skin, I realized as I closed my eyes. It was cooling me from the inside, too, driving back the ache and calming my raw nerves. After a moment’s hesitation, I bowed to the statue. “Thank you. I appreciate the relief.” How did one address Resinah, anyway? Ma’am? Prophetess? I would have to consult Iannis or Fenris when I got the chance.

The flame in Resinah’s hand seemed to dance a little brighter. “You are welcome.”

“So.” I raked a hand through my freed curls, looking around the temple. “Do I just come here every day for my daily dose, then?”

Soft laughter filled my head. I am not your nursemaid, Sunaya Baine. I only offered you a reprieve. You must use that respite to gain control by yourself.

I resisted the urge to curl my hands into fists. “How am I supposed to do that, exactly? In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been trying to control it for a while now. I’ve been running around as a teenage boy and drinking nasty potions like there’s no tomorrow.”

Masking your symptoms will not solve your problem.

“Then what will?” I stomped on the urge to take the empty flask in my pouch and chuck it at the statue’s head. “With all due respect, your vague statements aren’t exactly helpful.”