Crowned (Beholder #4)(3)

Echo popped her hand over her mouth. “Is that true?”

“Unfortunately.” As if to highlight the point, a low rumble shook the earth. These quakes were becoming more and more common. “Up until this point, Petra and I believe the same things. But what I’m about to tell you next? That is where we differ. Petra also believes that the Martyr’s Comet carries with it a prophecy. Have you heard of it?”

Echo frowned. “A prophecy related to the Martyr’s Comet? Never.”

“I hadn’t heard of it either until a few months ago. This prophecy states that when the Martyr’s Comet arrives, the greatest mage must sacrifice their life and power into one of these very gateways. The arch will then soak in their magick, distribute it to the other gateways, and maintain our world. The most powerful Necromancer alive is supposed to rule our kind. As a result every two thousand years, our Tsar or Tsarina always sacrifices themselves to the gateways.”

Echo blinked. “I don’t understand. You need to die?”

“The Martyr’s Comet will appear any minute now. It will then cross by the horizon and vanish in three day’s time. At the end of the third day, Petra plans to kill me and toss my body onto one of these gateways. But I won’t let it happen.”

This last part was a bit of a lie. I’d cast vision spells, pored over ancient texts, consulted Seers, and hired legions of mortal researchers. All of them confirmed that some unlucky Necromancer always died to fulfill the prophecy of the Martyr’s Comet. According to every vision spell and Seer, the next sacrifice would never be Viktor, a homicidal mage who was my preferred choice for the job. No, all the scholars and visionaries agreed: the sacrifice was likely to be me.

I could see the logic, sadly enough. Viktor was also locked off in exile. Even if he could be set free, I’d need the Sword and perfect timing in order to have him be the sacrifice. It was far better for all of us if I had a back-up plan.

Echo’s pretty features fell slack with chock. “Everything will fall apart without the gateways having magick. You said so yourself. Don’t you want to save our world?”

“I do, but there’s always more than one way to accomplish any task. In my case, I am mated to Rowan, a Creation Caster. We’ve shared our Necromancer and Caster energies to create a new kind of hybrid magick. It’s incredibly powerful. In fact, I think it could fix these gateways. But Rowan and I need access to the gateways in order to test out our spells.” We also needed to spy on the gods for more information before the testing could begin, but I didn’t volunteer that fact.

“Oh, that won’t happen. The Sire and Lady have warded every gateway. You can’t even approach them safely, let alone cast a spell.”

“I’ve noticed.” I scanned the dark sky again. “Once the comet appears, that will change. I’ll be able to cast a spell or two.”

“And the Sire and Lady will allow that?”

“No, unfortunately. I’ve pleaded with them for information about the gateways and hybrid magick. They’ve refused. They won’t even lower the wards so I can test out a few minor spells. Don’t you think that’s suspicious? Shouldn’t I be allowed to try something else before giving up my life?”

Echo stared at her totem things. “This is all very confusing. I’m failing at my task.”

Poor Echo. She seemed so deflated and miserable. “Look, you’ve failed at nothing. Petra has no real verbal message for me today. She merely sends Sisters like you to show me that she can get to me whenever she wants to…And she plans to find me at on the third day of the Martyr’s Comet.”

Echo twisted her totem rings in a nervous rhythm. “The Mouthpiece of the Gods warned me that you wouldn’t agree. But I’m not to transport back to her like the others. I’m to activate this totem ring, bringing the Divine Petra here to speak to you directly.”

I frowned. This was different for Petra, and with the Martyr’s Comet about to appear, I didn’t like things changing, especially with someone as young and inexperienced as Echo around.

“Listen to me carefully, Echo. Do not speak the word to launch that ring.”

Echo went on anyway. “Possession!” With that word, Echo’s totem ring flared with blue light. Instantly, an indigo haze enveloped the girl. Her eyes took on a glazed and empty look. When she spoke again, Echo’s voice had a distinct monotone. “I have taken control of this lesser mage. Now I give my true message to you, Elea.”

I’d heard that voice many times before. Petra. She’d cast a spell of possession on young Echo. A chill of fear crawled up my limbs. This wouldn’t end well.

I cupped my hand by my mouth. “If you can hear me, Echo, you need to stop speaking.”

On reflex, I reached out with my mage senses, getting ready to cast a counter-spell. Necromancer power lay all around me, resting heavily in the bones and fossil-laden rocks under the earth’s surface. I drew that energy into my soul. Magick flowed into my limbs, making the bones in my arms glow blue with power.

When Echo spoke again, it was still with Petra’s voice. “You’ll never pull in enough power in time to help this lesser mage. You must stop fighting me and pay attention. You have forced me to possess this girl’s body because I must teach you a lesson. When you disobey the gods, this what happens to those you love.”