Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(97)

“Justin, I don’t know what to say.”

“You think I’m crazy. I’ve thought about it myself.”

“No…I think you’re dedicated and astute and actually kind of brilliant. But you went through a lot.”

“The ravens are real,” he said adamantly. “I don’t understand the how or the why, but they’re real. I denied it for a long time, but they’ve been with me for four years. They know things that I couldn’t possibly know.”

Just because something had been with you for four years didn’t mean it was real. If anything, Mae just thought it was proof of a serious problem. Unwilling to say so, she switched subjects as a realization hit her. “SCI already knows about your beliefs.”

“Well, not all of them.”

“But the report is why Cornelia wanted you back?”

“It’s why Francis did,” Justin said. “They don’t understand the video, and he must’ve read the report. He’s a believer in something—I can spot that stuff—and figured maybe the only servitor who has gone on record contradicting his job’s premise might be able to do something on a case that defies the RUNA’s founding principles. That, and I’ve seen other things….”

“Like what?”

“Things I can’t explain. Feats of power. People like Callista.”

Mae didn’t really find Callista to be proof of a higher power. “What’s so special about her?”

He studied her. “You don’t see it? It’s hard for me sometimes, I guess. Some can hide it. But there are people out there who sometimes shine with power. Every once in a while, if I look just right, I can make it out.”

The words sent chills down her spine. “What kind of power?”

“I don’t know. Callista was the first person I ever saw who manifested that—and it freaked me out. I didn’t know what to do. It was why I didn’t write her up.”

“Was that why you slept with her?” Mae asked archly.

“I slept with her because she was hot and wanted me. Maybe we’re dealing with the supernatural, but I’m still human. I never told Cornelia about Callista, but I occasionally hinted at some of the other things I saw—off the record. Cornelia told me to forget about them and didn’t seem to think they were a big deal, at least until I put one of them in writing.”

Mae mulled over the subtext. “Are you saying the head of SCI believes there are higher powers at work in the world?”

“I don’t know if she believes in them, but she knows the reports are out there. And even if she doesn’t like it—or me—I’m here because they’re grasping at straws.”

Numbed, Mae lay down beside him and stared at the ceiling. Such an amazing mind…bogged down by delusion. It was a pity. But then, after what he’d gone through, how could he not be scarred? Which now left her with a problem. What did she do with everything she’d learned? Because she’d learned a lot. There was an unlicensed cult stockpiling weapons in Mazatlán, as well as a priestess with information about other unlicensed groups. There was a servitor who believed he had supernatural creatures living in his mind and who had all but admitted to a belief in gods interfering in mortal lives. Of course, if what he’d said was true, SCI might already know where his beliefs were…but did they realize the extent? Would they care? They would probably care that he wasn’t reporting dangerous factions.

“What are you going to do?” asked Justin quietly, guessing her thoughts.

“I don’t know.”

“Horatio tells me you have a lot of control right now.”

“Who?”

“One of the ravens.”

“That’s his name?” she asked. “Horatio?”

“I didn’t give it to him. The other’s Magnus. But he’s right. You can make or break me, Mae.”

She pondered it for several more moments. “I want you to break this case. And right now, no matter how, um, confused you are, I still think you’re the only one who can do it.”

He turned to her and smiled. “You’ve got a lot of faith in me.”

“Faith in your powers of observation and deduction. I don’t know about the rest.” Some of Callista’s words came back to her. “What did Callista mean when she was asking who’d chosen you? Did she mean the ravens?”

“No.” His smile faded. “According to them, they’re just the messengers—of the god I gave the apple to. I’m supposed to follow him.”

She caught the wording. “Are you saying you don’t?”

“I’m saying I’ve found a few loopholes in the agreement that night that have spared me from officially signing on with this god who’s claimed me.”

“You really believe there’s one?”

“I believe there’s something interfering in my life.” He paused. “And in yours.”

Mae jerked upright. “No. Do not bring that up.”

He sat up as well. “Mae, maybe you can doubt me, but you can’t ignore what happened tonight. Didn’t you feel it? During the fight? I could see it! There was something with you, something spurring you on. You’re one of the elect.”