Strength (Curse of the Gods #4)(50)

It’s time for you to learn more of the truth. Leden landed softly, about ten feet from us. It’s time you righted the wrongs of Topia.

The wrongs of Topia? Was she talking about the fact that the gods seemed to be draining Minatsol to sustain their world? Or was this specifically about Staviti and his actions? The servers, for example. The only thing I did know was that righting the wrongs of Topia was not a suitable job for me. Pushing through Siret and Coen, I rushed across to her. My hands lifting to brush across her soft coat.

“I missed you,” I said, only realising in that moment how true it was. I might not have spent much time with her, but I already knew—and had experienced—that bonds could form quickly, and strongly.

I have missed you also. It is not easy to be bonded to one so far away.

Her tone held only sadness, no blame, but I still felt terrible.

When a familiar heat brushed across the right side of my body, I wrapped an arm around Siret’s waist.

“Are you going to introduce us, Soldier?” he asked.

He dropped a kiss on my head then, and for a click, I forgot what he’d asked. Leden nudged me, bringing my focus back.

“Abcurses—meet Leden, she’s the fastest pantera.” I felt her satisfaction at my words. “We’re bonded. I don’t know if it has an official name, but I definitely feel the connection.”

“Nice to meet you, Leden,” Aros said, finding my other side. “Panteras are loyal and wise,” he added, whispering to me. “They won’t bond with just anyone.”

Willa is unique. I knew that Leden had directed those words to the others as well, evident by the way they turned to her.

“We know,” Yael said bluntly. “She’s special.”

I’d been called special before, but usually the tone indicated that my kind of special was a physical hazard to others. Yael and Leden weren’t talking about that kind of special, though. Their words made my heart a little light and my knees a little weak.

I really needed to start thanking someone for how my life had turned out. Not Staviti, of course—he was an asshole. And not Cyrus, because you should never thank the people that stab you in the chest. And not Rau, either, because the only thanks he deserved was the thanks I’d give him after he let me douse him in my crazy-fire. So … someone else. I needed to thank a completely unrelated third party for how my life had turned out.

The beating of wings drew our attention as five additional panteras appeared on the horizon, sweeping across the sky toward us. I assumed they were the panteras that the Abcurses had bonded with, the same way I had with Leden.

It is time to go, Willa. Staviti stalks these lands, we must not linger.

Leden’s words had barely brushed my mind before hands were on my waist. Aros lifted me onto her back, letting his touch linger on me. I found myself leaning down and pressing my lips to his. Just like every other time he’d kissed me, the desire his touch evoked just about knocked me over, and I almost toppled straight off Leden.

“Looks like you might still have the power to roll her, Seduction,” Coen noted, from where he stood with his pantera.

The pair exchanged a look, and my body tightened.

“It’s stronger than I expected, since Willa is no longer a dweller,” Aros admitted, his eyes meeting mine again. “I thought she’d be able to resist at least a little bit more now.”

Siret took a step closer. “I think our emotions heighten the powers. Willa can definitely handle our abilities now, we all know that. I’d say your love for her, and hers for you, is elevating the draw of Seduction.”

“So, I’m going to need Coen and you together,” I blurted out, before slamming my mouth closed.

Something shimmered almost visibly in the air between Aros and me. Coen was too far away, but I could see the way his eyes darkened. It was like energy, lightning, electricity … and I was about half a click from getting off Leden’s back. Siret quirked a brow at me, but he didn’t seem upset.

This is not the time. Leden’s voice was tinged with amused impatience.

“Are you sure?” I murmured back.

“She’s sure, Soldier.” Siret winked at me and then moved to his own beast.

With a snort and shake of her head, Leden thrust her wings out to the side, before leaping high into the air and taking off across the sky like we were being chased. I could sense that her mind was now focused on the task at hand, so I tried not to think or speak.

At first, I watched the world below, riveted to the beauty of Topia, but after a few clicks of staring down at the scenery unfolding below us, my stomach started to roll with nausea. I mainly focussed ahead after that, only peeking over my shoulder on occasion to make sure that the Abcurses were there.

They’re still there, Leden assured me.

“Are you going to tell me more about this truth I need to learn?” If she was talking, it must be okay for me to talk as well.

There is only so much we can share with you. Some of it you have to learn for yourself. All I can do is send you on the right path.

One sun-cycle, I decided, I would find a friend who was less cryptic.

Amusement from Leden flittered across my mind.

By the time we landed in the fields where the pantera lived, my butt was numb. When I slid off Leden, my legs almost collapsed for a moment, before I was able to straighten again. I wandered closer to the creek that Leden had landed beside, feeling an insane urge to touch the water again.