average human’s Reviews > The Gods Veiling > Status Update

I observe intently and attempt to read both Brock’s and the High Chancellor’s lips as they shape words. As the conversations unfold, their bodies begin reacting to the emotions they’re feeling.
Brock’s face turns red as his fist balls at his side, then he flings his arm out with his finger pointed toward the barrier. The High Chancellor has his hands laced in front of him, as do the others behind him. They all seem bored with whatever fury is coming out of Brock’s mouth.
Even my own mouth begins to move, but I can’t control it or hear it. I sense the irritation in myself, though, and it’s proven to be the case when the High Chancellor narrows his eyes at me.
His mouth clearly states a firm no. It’s easy enough for me to read.
With that declaration, Brock throws his hands in the air and stomps toward the barrier before I can stop him.
Well, this is going to be fan-fucking-tastic.
I have to set this up to where it goes smoothly from the start. More than likely, I’m going to have to kiss the High Chancellor’s ass, which is always such a treat.
I exhale slowly and time stills. The brief pause doesn’t last long enough to even notice before it all rewinds. My power recedes the moment time reaches the exact instant Brock first gave me a nod.
To him and the others, mere milliseconds passed, while for me, minutes.
With a tight smile, we release hands and I peer over my shoulder at Riven. He’s giddy, but I jerk my head and he exhales dramatically.
His power washes over us and the bunched muscles around Brock’s shoulders relax. The Chancellors all make a noise of contentment before glaring at Riven.
“What was the meaning of that?” the High Chancellor asks.
By his scowl, he meant for it to be authoritative. Because of Riven’s power, it was gentle. I cover my snort with a cough and hold my hands out.
“We’re going to go into this amicably. Brock, explain what’s going on.”
He eyes the High Chancellor with unfiltered disdain, then focuses on me. “The attacks and attempts to break through the stronghold and barrier have been growing tenfold for the past month. The night before the Veiling, twelve Oblirians got through. If it wasn’t for our men on this side, there’s no telling how far they would’ve gotten. This side is holding strong with plenty of resources and rotations from the Godsdawn. My four Valtrues need help over there.”
He jerks his head back toward the barrier and my eyes scan the shimmering veil. Twenty gods aren’t enough to hold it together forever. Especially if they’re growing tired and constantly restless.
“But they did not get past these defenses. That is the most important part. Four completed Valtrues on that side are plenty enough and there is backup here whenever it’s needed,” the High Chancellor states calmy but completely fucking wrong.
“The twenty of us holding the line on that side isn’t enough. We split up and rotate shifts in twelve-hour spans. No one can fucking sleep, everyone’s always worked up, prepared for the next hit. We’re not enough.” Brock’s voice rises with his frustration at the High Chancellor.
I understand and agree, but talking to the High Chancellor like that isn’t going to work. He takes shit way too personal.
“Sir, what’s your solution or request to put these matters aside?” I ask and give Brock a pointed look when he narrows his gaze on me.
“They are doing a fine job as they are. We can’t extinguish any more resources from the Godsdawn. We already have a number of Valtrues assigned to a daily rotation from this side. Not to mention we send you all plus other Valtrues in when they desperately call. The pressure seems to be getting to them, but they need to remember they are gods. This is their responsibility.”
I hold my hand up to stop Brock from flipping his shit. “I agree, it is their responsibility. If I remember correctly, there are four other completed Valtrues whose daily responsibility is to man this side. By the definition of their role, they’re to protect this perimeter. Plus, the few others who are always on standby and in random rotation, correct?”
“Yes,” the High Chancellor agrees begrudgingly.
“Do the majority of the attacks happen at night?”
Brock nods once before speaking, “Almost all of them are at night. We’ve only had one daytime attack in the last three months.”
“I see.”
The perfect solution to this problem is already worked out in my mind. Now it’s a matter of getting the High Chancellor and his silent brownnosers to agree.
“We don’t want to pull any more gods from the Godsdawn. That’d defeat the purpose of their responsibilities here that they know are theirs and put too much pressure on us. You’re completely correct in that, sir.”
Brock bristles beside me like he can’t believe I just said that. If he gives me two seconds, he’ll understand. The High Chancellor, on the other hand, is preening with his premature victory.
“I am glad you see it that way, Kyzen. Do you see a solution for this so we can stop with the pestering request?”
“I believe so, yes. The four Valtrues that have a daily rotation on this side shall take the daytime shift across the line from now on. Brock’s group, since this is their responsibility and they’re the most experienced, will continue to take the twelve-hour night shift.”
The Chancellors accompanying the High Chancellor begin murmuring agreeingly behind him. He keeps his face impassive although his eyes tell me something very different. He won’t be able to reject this, though.
“And what of this side? That will still leave us providing additional support at night.”
“Not necessarily. Like we just mentioned, there are random rotations already manning this perimeter along with the resources on this side. So no additional resources are being provided, just moved around from daily roles to nightly ones.”
There’s a tense strain slathered all over the High Chancellor’s body. For whatever reason, he really wants to keep the protection on our side of the perimeter, but that simply can’t happen. We need Brock and the Valtrues he leads protecting from over there.
“Chancellors, do you agree?” he asks with barely controlled anger. His eye even twitches a minuscule when they all hum yes. “Fine. Kyzen, work out the finer details.”
Without even a glance in Brock’s direction or any notion to the other Chancellors, he starshoots away. It isn’t but a second and they follow suit. I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest.
“Gods, he’s a delightful piece of work, isn’t he?” Riven says sarcastically as he walks up to the barrier to run his finger down it.
I turn fully to face Brock. “Did something happen between the two of you prior to this?”
“You mean the old fucker didn’t tell you?”
“Nope.”
“Of course he didn’t. Wouldn’t want to sully his good image. I’ve come to him three times in the past month requesting help. The night before the Veiling, one of the gods on this side was hurt and had to be taken to the healing villas. He showed up here demanding to see me and tore into my ass for our carelessness.
“I lost my shit and told him I’m about to start screaming to the Beginning Gods, or worse, put in a formal complaint, about his lacking. I may have also reminded him I’m no longer a god waiting for his power and my word carries a little more weight than it did when he had control over me. It was only then that he agreed to set up a meeting with you present.”
“That’ll do it. You hurt ol’ Harriseen’s pride. Ahh, I wish I could’ve seen it. No wonder he was so hard on our little Thayla the next day.” Riven sighs as he comes to stand back beside me.
Brock cocks his head to the side. “Your little Thayla?”
“Ah, yes. You’re looking at the newest completed Valtrue.” Riven dramatically holds out his wrist and highlights his mark with his other hand.
“Well, shit. The top gods just became…topper gods, huh?”
I can’t tell if it’s a question or a statement and the confused look on his face says he doesn’t know either.
Regardless, that’s not what I’m interested in discussing.
“I knew by his demeanor we weren’t going to get additional resources out of him, but a complete shift change should help until we can figure something out, right?”
“Absolutely. Us getting out of that godforsaken shack, being able to sleep in our own beds, eat a hot meal, have the ability to shit and shower with more than a curtain blocking us will give everyone the pick-me-up we need. We aren’t trying to avoid our responsibilities, but we’re getting our asses kicked. The Oblirians are changing, and they aren’t holding back. If they held the power we did, we’d be fucked.”
I internally cuss at that news. “I know you’re not avoiding anything, but you can only do so much. Tell your groups to stick it out today and tonight. We’ll go meet with the ones on this side and inform them of the change. Tomorrow you’ll all get the break needed.”
“Thanks, Kyzen. I’d say hopefully I’ll see you all soon, but let’s hope that’s not the case.”
I shake his hand and grunt my agreement.
I fucking hate anytime we get called to come help.
Riven and I start walking the perimeter in search of the group leader on this side after Brock crosses back over.
I’m positive they’re not going to have any issues with the changes. It’s been stated enough times, but this is their responsibility and for the most part they enjoy the job. It’s literally built into them with their Defender Designation.
“Do you ever miss it?” Riven asks between his whistling as he drags his fingers through the shimmering veil.
“Miss what?”
“The Abandon.”
“We see it plenty enough for me.”
“You know what I mean.”
Yeah, I do.
“The Abandon, no. The power we had in the Abandon, yes.”
He sighs. “Samesies. Maybe our abandoned burden will help us get it all back.”
“Quit calling her that. And definitely don’t call her abandoned. I don’t see her taking kindly to that at all.”
“Why not? She’s like us in that regard.”
“Yeah, and I imagine like us, it’s not something she likes bringing up.”
“So sensitive. Regardless, Big DD gave us a sweet little release because of her. Maybe he’ll do it again, but next time all of it.”
I plaster on a normal smile as we come up to the first Valtrue we see. I don’t have anything to say to Riven regarding that.
Only time will tell what’s in store for all of us.

48%

“Thayla,” Amick calls, causing me to startle and quicken my steps to catch up with him.
“Yes, dear.”
I catch the smallest eye roll ever rolled.
“You’re to be beside me at all times. You’re not going to learn anything by chatting the morning away with people who don’t know the first thing either.”
My sigh echoes between us. “First of all, Lambrit will have this place mapped and memorized within the hour. Secondly, you haven’t said anything in the five seconds we’ve been out of that area, so you aren’t teaching me anything worth learning yet.”
“Listen.”
That’s all he commands as he stops walking and laces his fingers behind his back. I mimic his stance.
“There are miles’ worth of bookshelf space within the Athenaeum. Each shelf, every row, every artifact, relic, scroll, tome, statue, and book has its place. The thousands upon thousands of items here are recorded, cataloged, and kept in the utmost condition. There’re multiple Guiders and Attendants whose roles are solely to verify the catalog daily. If something is found out of place, cataloging has to be repeated.”
Ah, I see now.
Riven’s such a dick.
He turns on his heel and like the good little Guiders we are—they are—we follow along. Every row, he explains the information we’ll find in each section.
I hate to admit it with how ornery he’s been with me, but Amick knows his shit. I can’t imagine the time it’s taken him to memorize all of this, but there isn’t an area or row we go down that he doesn’t know everything about it.
My steps slow as a set of double doors to the right grabs my attention. He stops walking as well and waits for everyone to gather closer. There’s a smidge of annoyance gleaming on his face, but it’s washed away in a heartbeat.
“The hall behind those doors is a restricted area. That space is completely off-limits to anyone who isn’t a Chancellor, their Attendant who’s been given explicit permission, or a Beginning God. Traversing in there without that permission will result in dire consequences.”
That’s a little extreme.
“Do you have permission to go in there?” I ask.
“No.”
Well, damn. That makes me want to go there even more.
For the next hour, we walk every square inch of the Athenaeum and listen to Amick as he tells the history and significance of this place. Apparently, once upon a time, the Athenaeum was the only building in all of the Valorian Veil that held text of knowledge.
The Beginning Gods created the Sanctum first, and that’s where they lived. After years of them writing and recording their own stories, the Athenaeum was created to store it all.
It’s only grown from there.
We make our way back to the nook we originally started in and my face scrunches when I spot two new men as well as Chancellor Ellian.
“Amick.” He bows slightly. “A good first day for our newest gods, I assume.”
“Same as every Veiling. Clarisse and Ruth, the two of you will join Tyson and Luke. They’ll accompany you to gather your beginning materials. I’ve given them your roles to walk you through. Lambrit, Chancellor Ellian has requested you accompany him for the rest of the morning.”
Lambrit’s eyes widen. “Really?”
“Yes.”
All three of them join whoever they were just assigned to and after quiet introductions—which now I realize Amick never did introduce them to Yemi and me—they leave the little area. I shift back and forth on my feet anxiously.
“Come.” With his single word order, he marches past us and I sneer.
“Don’t say a word,” Yemi harshly whispers.
I’m proud to say I didn’t make one joke or sarcastic remark to him at any point during his tour. Despite the burning desire to anytime someone asked a good question, and he responded with emotionless facts.
It didn’t matter who we came across, who bowed, or spoke to him. He acted and treated everyone the same.
Like he couldn’t care less.
“Oww. Damn it,” I shriek when I slam right into the door that Amick walked through.
“Shit, Thayla, are you okay? Why did you keep walking?” Yemi asks as she pulls my hand from my face to look at me.
“Because he kept walking. I thought the damn door was like the wall at the healing villa.”
“This would be the door to my office. It requires my essence or permission to enter. Next time, wait for me to open it.”
“Yeah, no shit, God of Stating the Obvious.”
He cocks his head to the side briefly, then turns and walks farther into the room, leaving the door open for us to pass through. I quit rubbing at the pain in my nose as the full display of his office comes into view.
The precise organization and dimly lit space remind me a lot of our living room. I have no clue how the others’ rooms are set up, but based on Amick’s office, that little touch at our house has a lot to do with him.
“Yemi, you can go to the information foyer and grab your material for your new lesson tomorrow.”
My mouth opens to tell him not to tell her what to do, but her excited “Really?” halts me. When I turn to her, her smile dims a little. “I don’t have to. I can get it tomorrow and start with the others.”
Oh, she was excited about getting a head start over everyone else.
“No, go on. The more you know, the more I know,” I say with a smile and a wink. I’m not really joking, though. I’m pretty sure I’m going to learn more from her than my ever-changing rotation between the guys.
“I won’t be long,” she says as she practically races to the door.
I keep my face relaxed although my stomach is twisting into knots. Being alone with Kyzen felt a hell of a lot different from being alone with Amick.
Kyzen joked, flirted, and carried on with normal conversation. Even though I know he was only doing that to help me feel comfortable and he meant nothing by it. Amick doesn’t come off as the type to care about others’ comforts. He seems to exist in his own headspace.
I rock back and forth as I watch him sort books into two piles. “So what do we do now?”
“I’m going to go through the new group of Chosen’s schedules, aside from you, and assign them Guiders to lead them through this first week based on where they placed. You may start reading this.”
He picks up a book—a damn tome—off the top of his pile and holds it out to me. I eye the massive-ass thing skeptically and slink my way to him to grab it.
The Creation of the Godsdawn.
The heavy text forces me to use both hands to hold it. I flip it over and crack the back cover open to check the page numbers but find that there are none. There are at least two, maybe three thousand pages, though. Have to be.
“As much as I love reading, it’s going to take me a year to get through this.”
“If you truly read that slow, you’ll need to ask Kyzen to help you get through it. You don’t know a quarter of what we do, and you need to catch up.”
The book drops to his desk with a loud thump. His eyes peer at me through his lashes. “And how fast do you expect me to catch up to the four of you?”
“Immediately.”
I snort and shake my head. “Sorry to burst your bubble, Amick, but you’re going to have to lower your expectations of me. I do love to read and learn new things, but it’s going to take some time adapting to this. Not all of us have a domain in knowledge.”
“Who’s stating the obvious now?” His sarcastic question seems to catch us both off guard. My mouth curls up into a smirk, while he pauses and shakes his head. “What’s your preferred learning method?”
It’s my turn to take a pause as I ponder that. “Uh, I’m not really sure. I don’t know if I have a preferred. Some things I learn better from reading, sometimes I just need to observe, and others it works best to just throw me in and let me learn on the go.”
He nods repeatedly. “Of course there’s no rhyme or reason. In that case, what I had planned isn’t going to work. If you can manage not to talk while I do, then observe and listen. I’ll come up with a regimen that’ll better suit your needs moving forward for your rotations with all of us.”
I let the insult about my talking slide since he’s willing to give me a little grace with my learning. “Thank you.”
His eyebrows squish together. “For what?”
“For creating a plan for me to follow that’ll work best for me.”
He seems to mull over my words. Whatever he thinks about it or feels about my gratitude, he doesn’t comment on it. Instead, he looks back down at the parchments laid out in front of him.
“Starting with your region since you’re most familiar with it, four out of the five of your Chosen placed somewhere within Guider. Eliminating Lambrit out of the equation due to his single Designation, and you for the obvious reason, that leaves two. Mellcom Bellame and Jeremiah Etain.”
My throat closes at the mention of them, but I keep my face covered in a serious blankness. I force the anger bubbling in my belly down and keep my eyes trained on where he’s pointing his finger.
“Both are dominant in Defender, so both will need Guiders with a secondary Designation in Defender. Do you understand those tiers?”
“Yes. Your dominant is obviously where the Volreen placed you highest, then your next one is your secondary, so on and so forth.”
“Very good. Where the two of them will differentiate is the level of the Guider Designation they’ll need to know. Jeremiah’s place in Guider came in fourth of his six Designations. Any placing of four and below requires only knowing the minimum of the role. It’ll be an overview of our history, mostly. The order of all his Designations tells me he cares very little about learning, teaching, or doing anything that isn’t self-serving.
“Mellcom’s Designation in Guider was third. It may not seem like much to only be placed one spot above Jeremiah’s, but it in fact is a realm different. He’ll need a grander overview of the rules, the history, and the direction the region’s heading. Especially taking into consideration his dominant Designation, then his secondary in Ruler. Although Jeremiah’s was as well, Mellcom’s being followed by Guider in third tells me he more than likely cares a great deal about teaching, having control of a situation, and having people follow his orders. He most likely lives by a code of, ‘Do as I say. I know best.’”
Holy shit…
“How in the realm could you possibly pick all of that apart by just looking at their Designations?”
“I know these Designations better than anyone. They aren’t random. The Volreen picks apart your very being and examines who you are on a soul level. Pair that with a domain and the minimal information the Chancellors gather about the Chosen, it’s easy enough to profile a person.”
My hum has him briefly casting his eyes to mine. “What did all my nonsense say about me?”
“You’re an anomaly.”
There’s that damn word again.
There’s not a stutter or any consideration to his words. He speaks it like it’s a fact, then flips the parchment and moves on. I don’t even think he realizes I’m now staring daggers at him.
Well, if there’s one thing I can say about him, it’s that he’s not two-faced. Whatever he’s going to say behind my back, I can expect it to be said to my face, eventually.

51%

I swallow my bitterness and search inside myself for the stronger emotion that’s saved my ass more than once. Despite the complete rebellion going on in my stomach, I let my eyes drift until they lock onto the familiar green of my traitorous pseudo brothers.
The pleading in his eyes doesn’t do the trick, but his fucking nod, the one that says, ‘This is what I trained you for’ definitely does. My anger boils over like a pot of water left on the stove.
I sneer, then turn to face my group. “Get over here and listen up.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Leah frantically looks around.
“Getting you in formation so we don’t get our asses handed to us.”
“You’ve done this before?”
“Many times. Unfortunately.”
“And you came out unscathed?” poor Jay asks hopefully.
“No. That’s not a possibility, but I can make it to where it isn’t so easy.”
All seven of them look at each other, then they straighten their shoulders and run closer to me.
“In an ambush situation, you can’t be separated from one another. You never know where your opponent’s going to come in from. You have to have each other’s back. Literally. Get in a circle. Shoulder to shoulder.”
They hurriedly do as I say, then they look at me for direction. “Swords at the ready.”
I walk around the group, using my sword to tap thighs and elbows to correct their stances. Mellcom used to do this, but he’d tear you down for every mistake. I take the opposite approach.
If I correct something, I tell them something else was perfect. I don’t try to give them false hope, but I do try to build confidence in place of the fear staring back at me.
“How is the end of this test determined?” I ask Leah when I come back to her.
Beside her, Jay’s shaking like a leaf. I lightly grip her wrist to steady her and her sword. Her fear both concerns and pisses me all the way off.
Not at her, but at this taurnshit.
“When everyone from one side is either knocked out or has surrendered, that's when the test will end.”
Fucking ruthless god.
I nod to Leah, then take a spot between her and Jay. “If for some reason our circle breaks, get closer, fill in the gap. Don’t charge them. Make them come to us. You all realize the unfairness of this situation, but that doesn’t mean you give up immediately. Work together, not individually.”
I take a moment to try to empty my mind and get a feel for my sword. My teeth grind together painfully as I run my finger down the hilt. The day off yesterday from training made me realize how much I truly fucking hate this.
Despite minutes ago offering to train Yemi, I really loathe this. I’d be willing to do it for her so she can protect herself. I don’t want to actually cause anyone harm.
I hate fighting with no purpose.
I hate that I know how to get a group of untrained women in a position to fight highly trained ones. And for what?
What’s the reason for this? You can’t get an accurate measure from pitting two completely different skill sets against one another.
It makes me even madder that a tinge of appreciation filters through me that I do know what to do in this situation.
That momentary feeling is washed away when my chest pulls excruciatingly tight. My head whips up and I lock eyes with Creed.
“Get ready,” he mouths.
Gods, did he know how to get my attention?
A second of silence passes before a war cry rings out and feet pound against the ground. I rapidly take in our surroundings as my heart crawls up my throat. All twelve of them are coming in a circle formation as well. They’re spread out across multiple angles in the Court.
An absolutely stunning girl runs straight in our direction with her glare set on Jay. Her long black ponytail swishes behind her as her toned legs eat up the space between us.
With only a few feet left separating us, she raises her sword and Jay’s wavers as she completely freezes in her spot.
Fuck.
The sound of wood colliding with wood echoes behind me just as I jump in front of her. Without hesitation, I lift my leg and kick the girl in the stomach. The moment she bends over and her breath whooshes out of her, I bring the hilt of my sword down on her face.
She crumbles and I whip around. “Snap the fuck out of it right now.”
“Right…right. Sorry.”
“Behind you!”
I raise my sword and spin on my heels. One of my knees hits the dirt with the force of the sword coming down on mine. As the girl raises it to strike me again, I push myself up and wrap my arms around her waist.
The two of us go rolling as we battle to be on top. The rapid succession of her fist bashing into my ribs knocks the wind out of me and she quickly takes the opportunity to flip us.
I bring my arm up to shield my face as her sword comes down. The impact causes vibrations to travel through me, but the forearm shields Creed strapped to me take the worst of the hit.
Before she can do it again, a foot collides with the back of her head and I shove her sideways before she can collapse on top of me.
I clamber to my feet and give a trembling Jay a devious smile as I grab her and drag her back to our dwindling circle. She doesn’t reciprocate it as she keeps glancing at the girl on the ground.
“I…I probably gave her a concussion.”
“Probably, but you saved me a broken nose, so it evens out.”
“That’s not how that works.”
“It does today, so good job. Now pay attention.”
Those are the last words shared between the two of us as the five of us remaining face off against the ten of them surrounding us. I give one appreciative, sparing glance at Creed for his shout of a warning. He doesn’t return it. There’s a fierce scowl spread across his face.
My mind empties as my body starts to flow in the all-familiar movements. The cries of pain, grunts falling from lips, all of it becomes an intimate melody that I’ve had the unfortunate pleasure of dancing to far too many times.
As another female drops by my hands, the dead weight of a body crashes into me, nearly knocking me off my feet. I’m quick to balance myself back out but flinch at the red pouring from Leah’s nose.
Jay cries out as she drops to her knees to check on her. I’m too slow to snatch her back up.
A foot collides with her face, just like she’d done to the girl who attacked me.
That was far too fucking personal.
I spin out of the way when I catch sight of a sword coming toward me in my peripheral. Unfortunately, I turn right into a fist.
The strike across my cheek instantly splits the skin and my blood trickles down my face. Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I stagger and force my mind to stay vigilant.
You’ve been hit harder than that. Pull it together.
I shake my head and watch as if in slow motion as the last of the girls from my group drops to her knees. She cries in surrender, but the goddess prowling toward her doesn’t stop her steps.
She raises her wooden sword high and slices it down across her face.
The whimper from the poor girl’s lips as she hits the dirt in a cloud of dust makes me see red. I pull my shoulders back and stand straight as the one who struck her down after she begged for mercy turns to me.
The remaining four females join her at her side, and I immediately know this is the strongest female in the Defender Designation.
“You must be Thayla.” Her tone completely contradicts the stern set of her brow. It’s sultry, even, and full of confidence.
She’s also breathtakingly beautiful, but the glint in her eye is cruel.
“That would be me. You are?”
“I’m Mara. I’m a part of the Lead Valtrue.”
“You’re going to have to be more specific than that for me. I don’t know anyone just yet.”
That’s obviously not the answer she wanted. Her face clouds in disgust and she looks down at me like I’m a waste of her time. I guess I’m supposed to know exactly who she’s talking about.
Granted, I do. I just didn’t want to feed her cocky, self-centered attitude.
“Gladian, Chasin, Mellcom, and Jeremiah are my Valtrue. They informed us all about you.”
“That’s great. We’re going to be the best of friends then.” I smile and hold my arms out, indicating for her to bring it in for a hug.
She doesn’t like that either.
A hysterical laugh sounds from behind me. I’m not dumb enough to check and see who it was. Plus, I’ve already memorized it. I’m sure the psycho of my Valtrue does find it funny I’m offering her a hug at a time like this.
“They told us—”
“Listen, I’ve got to be honest with you. I really don’t give a fuck what they had to say. Nor do I care to hear it. I think you should form your own opinion about me rather than listen to either of them. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together, I’m sure, so we should get off on the right foot.”
I point my sword between her and me, but a sigh leaves my lips as she shakes her head almost disappointedly.
I’ll take that as a no.
“You need to learn your place and standing within the Godsdawn. If what they said is true, you have to face that reality.”
Her words may seem like helpful advice, but the threat she’s making is clear. What she really means is, learn my place with her.
More accurately beneath her.
I observe her closely. I need to study up on Valtrues because this appears to be a trait shared amongst hers. Mellcom and Jeremiah have always liked to push people. They’ve never backed away from a challenge. The guys just warned me that Gladian would do that to me, but really, it’s her doing it.
She’s not being overly ugly or bullying, but she’s clearly telling me she has every intention of keeping her standing at the top.
Whether I like that or not.
Do they all have a desperate desire to be known as the strongest? If so, why?
Do all of us in my Valtrue share a trait?
I don’t throw out my own threat, just my truth. “I don’t want your standing, Mara. You have nothing to prove to me.”
“This isn’t Oddian. That’s not how it works here. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. You’re going to have to face and do the same.”
Annoyance laces its way through me. “Seeing as I’ve only been here for like five minutes, I’m going to need you to give me some time.”
An understanding smile crosses her face. There’s not a thing comforting about it, though. “That’s a luxury I can’t afford you. Give our newest Defender a proper Gods Court welcoming, ladies.”
I exhale slowly as they each chuckle and the first two of them break away from their line.
Mellcom’s voice filters through my mind. He’s not actually speaking in the moment. It’s the ghost of his commands. Each order shouted from the sidelines the many, many times he’s stood there and allowed me to be ganged up on.
I let my anger toward him fester and fuel me once again. The fact it’s him who’s guiding me in this moment both sickens and grounds me.
My feet don’t budge from my spot as the two of them surround me. I adjust my grip on my sword and my eye catches on another that was deserted a few feet away. I remain in place, bouncing on my toes as they begin charging.
When they get to where I know they could almost reach me, I drop down and roll until my fingers wrap around the handle.
I have just enough time to raise a sword to block one strike and I swing out as hard as I can with the other. The one I hit screams as her knee makes a godawful popping sound that turns my stomach, and her leg gives out beneath her.
My body swivels as a foot heads straight for me. I kick my leg out and it connects with that girl’s other ankle. Her back hits the dirt as soon as I force myself to stand.
She doesn’t stay down long, and the other two that were standing with Mara join the fight.
I don’t think about anything other than my reactions and breathing.

The strikes from the men I’ve faced off with were harder, more painful, but these females are faster. They have more stealth and stamina. It’s taking more energy for me to stay in this right now than it ever did back in the arena at home. Their fluid and swift strikes are coordinated, precise, and would be deadly if these were real weapons.
I’d be mesmerized if it wasn’t me who they were facing off against.
They’re so fierce.
Even as I block two strikes from the front, another comes from behind. Around and around we go as I take a hit, deliver a hit. My muscles beg for a break, but each time I’m struck somewhere my armor isn’t protecting, the pain forces them to suck it up.
Don’t surrender.
One at a time.
Take them down one at a time.
Both my fist and the handle I have clutched smash against one of the girls’ noses. She shrieks as her sword drops from her raised hand, and she cups the bloody mess.
I twirl around and with all the strength I can muster in my nondominant arm, I nail the girl behind me at the junction of her shoulder and neck. That would’ve been her head had this been steel and not wood.
Thankfully, I don’t hear the crack of anything, but she’s out cold before she even hits the dirt.
A fist straight across my nose has me seeing stars and the tang of blood touches my tongue. I choke on a gasp, blink away the spots, and force myself to stay standing.
We’re vicious with our attacks. Neither of us holds back even as our training swords start chipping away. Her foot catches on one of her unconscious friends behind her and I don’t waste a second.
I plunge one weapon into her stomach, and the other, I turn at an angle. The flat side of the sword slaps across her face and the clap of it echoes louder than her bellow.
My shoulders rise and fall with my rapid pants as I take a staggering step back. My fingers are killing me with how tightly they’re wrapped around the smooth handles.
I tilt my head to the sun when a slow clap and a chuckle sounds from behind me.
Damn it. I forgot about the one who started this.
Every single fiber in my body hurts as I force it to rotate around.
“I’ll admit that was incredibly impressive. Mellcom did a fine job with you just as he claimed.”
Mara kicks the girl I hit in the neck until she rolls over. She bends down to grab the discarded sword and slashes it through the air a few times to get a feel for it. She expertly adds the second one, loosens her arms, and cracks her neck.
I swallow harshly, then choke back the gag that threatens to come up when I realize that was a glob of blood that just went down my throat.
“Let’s see how much more strength has settled since the Veiling.”
Fuck me. I also forgot her domain is under Gladian.
The cry that tears through her throat as she charges me has my eyes widening and my body screaming at me to run as far and as fast as I can. My stubborn mind, on the other hand, bellows I don’t think so.
I can’t surrender now.
My chest pulls taut, and I lock my jaw to ignore it.
She’s coming in quick, and her fierce determination is evident. Hell, maybe she’s afraid of how Gladian will react if I were to get the best of her. Whatever it is, my soul calling for me can’t be a distraction right now.
If I’m going down, I’m going to take this ass beating like a champ.
Our four swords clash together above our heads and splinter to pieces. The wood chips rain down on me, but neither of us relents with the scraps we hang on to.
Holy shit…
The difference in strength between Mara and the girls I just faced off with is astronomical. She’s most certainly the strongest person I’ve ever encountered in my life.
A scream rips through me when she rotates her wrists and slices me across the knuckles with the jagged wood. My feet begin to slide from the force she’s pressing down on me. My bellow becomes one not of pain but pressure. All the air in my body escapes me as I try to push back as hard as I can.
She grunts in frustration, then slings our arms apart and I stagger back. The shards of wood pierce the ground where she throws them, and she balls her fists in front of her.
Fuck. She’s about to pound my face in.
My lungs shrivel in my ribs when strong arms wrap around me from behind. Across from me, Gladian snatches Mara back. I buck against the chest holding me, then fall still when his lips touch my ear.
“That was so hot, sweet T. I’ve always wondered how you’d fare against other women.”
With a disgusted grunt, my heel slams into Jeremiah’s shin. He drops me, and I turn around and punch him right in his smug smirk.
“Don’t ever fucking touch me again.”
“Thayla.”
My feet practically leave the ground when Mellcom snatches me around. I shove against his chest until he lets me go. I’m tempted to clock his ass as well, but the furious glint in his eye, paired with the knowledge he now has a domain under the God of Pain, holds me back.
That thought didn’t really run through my mind about Jeremiah, but I can now see the error of that.
“What was this, Mellcom, a fucking test? Did you two tell her to do that to me?”
“What? No. We’re the ones who just put a stop to it.” His face flinches. “All we did was tell them about you. I mean, I may have said no one had to go easy on you, that you could hold your own, but that’s it.”
“Seriously? You told the God of Strength, and obviously the girl version of him, that I could hold my own. Against them? Gods? You stupid asshole.”
I try to stomp—limp—away from him, but I don’t make it a step before he’s grabbing me once again and pulling me to him.
“Thayla—”
“Uh-uh-uh, Golden boy.” To my shock and relief, Riven grips Mellcom’s arm that’s holding me in place. His appearance has me searching for the others.
My eyes widen and my heart rate spikes. Creed’s standing face-to-face with Gladian, Amick with Jeremiah, and Kyzen against who I assume is Chasin.
What’re they doing?
“Daddy Gladdy over there never should’ve released you three without letting us all out. That was his mistake. But you…what do you think you’re doing touching my little burden?”
Mellcom’s fingers twitch around my arm. “What the fuck did you just call her?”
“Ah, my mistake. I confuse burden with Binder. Regardless, you didn’t answer my question.” The smile slowly fades from Riven’s face, and a shiver passes through me. “What. The. Fuck. Do you think you’re doing with your hand on her?”
Mellcom’s eyes narrow and his grip tightens. “I don’t answer to you when it comes to her.”
“That’s inaccurate,” Amick calls mindlessly over his shoulder.
I get whiplash from looking between all of them.
“My brother may be too ambiguous for you to understand, so let me say it clearer. Let her fucking arm go before things get really…chaotic.”
Mellcom lifts his chin in clear challenge. The giggle that leaves Riven as his eyes start swirling has my body heating.
“Mellcom,” Gladian barks.
If I’m being honest with myself, I’d actually love to see him and Riven go head-to-head. I’d also love to see Amick beat Jeremiah’s ass. They deserve it after what they’ve done.
Mellcom finally moves his glare from over my head to meet mine. There’s a touch of anger that I’ve never seen before. I don’t allow myself to cower under the intensity.
“Your time avoiding me is coming to an end, Thay. You will talk to me sooner rather than later.” He releases me and snatches his arm from Riven. “If you ever touch me again, it’ll be the last thing you do.”
Riven blows him a kiss. “It’s a date, Golden boy.”
“Men, back to the center. Females, your day is over,” Gladian bellows as he stomps over to his Valtrue and the men gathering together.
Creed faces us and nods in the direction of the Court’s exit. I don’t move from my spot, and I jerk my arm away when Kyzen gently brushes it with his.
“What the fuck was that?” My question’s directed straight at Creed.
“Thayla.”
I scowl at his warning lacing my name.
“Don’t Thayla me. What kind of training was that? Was it to single me out or does he get some sick fucking pleasure from watching his Defenders tear into untrained gods? Female gods, to be more specific.”
His eyes brighten dangerously as they cut over to the God of Strength, then back to me. The stride he takes toward me causes my stomach to bottom out, but I pull my shoulders back.
“Be mindful of your next words, Thayla. This isn’t the time or place for this conversation. Drop it. Now or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and march you out of here.”
“I wish you fucking would. You better make it the time and the place, Creed. That was taurnshit and you know it. If you don’t, I’m going to make sure you learn it. Quick like.”
The energy seeping off him would have me trembling if I weren’t so damn pissed. The pain and exhaustion pouring through me only make it worse. I can’t even react when Riven bends down close to my ear.
“Are you itching for another fight, angel? I’ll gladly sprinkle some chaos about if that’s what you’re looking for. If not, I’d keep that tempting little mouth of yours shut until we get out of this Court. You’re about to rile everyone up once again.”
The Court is silent as though everyone really is waiting for my answer. The attention is gliding across my skin.
Every part of my body is screaming in agony, but I don’t let it show. Or at least I try not to, but there’s no way I can go another round.
I won’t be admitting that, though.
“Fine.” With that, I stomp past Creed and keep facing the exit.
My eyes frantically bounce across the few Attendants lining the wall at the archway that leads down the long walkway. I don’t see Yemi among them. She isn’t inside the tunnel either or right outside the Court.
“Where’s Yemi?”
“She was just—”
“I’m right here,” she yells, cutting Kyzen off.
I whip my head to the left far too fast and my vision blurs. I see two Yemis, two Jays, and two Leahs as I stumble into Creed, who holds me up effortlessly. I try to pull away, but he makes some damn growling noise as he keeps me steady.
“Whoa, take it easy. Come here. Sit down for me,” Jay coos as she grips my arms and leads me down to the ground. “Hand me those rags, please.”
Yemi practically throws them at her as she kneels down in front of me. “She was the closest Healer I could find that wasn’t busy. I knew you wouldn’t want to go back to the healing villas after that.”
“I sure as shit don’t want that, but she needed to be healed too. Are you two okay?”
“We’re fine now. There’re always a couple of Healers on standby. Our…friend is here today, so he jumped straight to us. He had us patched up quickly before moving on to the worst.”
Leah makes a small giggling noise before clearing her throat and casting a nervous glance over at my Valtrue, who’s silently watching me.
“Got some satisfaction from that, did you?” I ask.
She shrugs. “The last time this happened, they toyed with us. They dragged it out and ignored all our surrenders. This time was much different and more merciful.”

“Because of you,” Jay whispers.
“I didn’t do anything more than get you all into a better position to defend yourselves.”
She huffs as she keeps cleaning up my blood. “No, you did more than that. You gave us a chance. None of the dominant Defender females are brought down unless they’re up against one another.”
“It’s ridiculous you’re even pitted against one another. Why the hell is that even a thing?” I again point my question directly at Creed.
“That’s Gladian’s training style.”
“And none of you have ever thought, ‘You know, this is wrong, I’m going to say something to stop this?’ You all just stay put in your little Holding, whatever that is, and watch this shit go down?”
“The Holding is a reinforced blockade designed by Gladian. You can’t see the wall, but he embedded his power in the threshold. Once you pass in, you can’t get back through until he allows it.”
“Thank you for the information, Amick. Anyone want to acknowledge the rest of what I said?”
Again, my eyes land on Creed.
This is his Designation. He needs to explain.
He doesn’t.
Instead, he marches away in the direction of the house.
I scoff, but the sound accidentally morphs into a moan. “Oh stars, what’s happening?”
“I’m so sorry. I should’ve warned you,” Jay murmurs with wide eyes, but she doesn’t remove her hands from me.
“Warned me—oh.” I bite my bottom lip to keep from groaning.
I swear I have to keep my eyes from rolling to the back of my head. My body feels like it’s floating in a bath of euphoria that I never want to get out of.
“I heal your body, but my ability tends to…heighten your feel-good hormones.”
“Are you about to heal me by making me orgasm in front of people?” I shriek and Yemi laughs. “It’s not funny. At all. We have company.” I twitch my head over to the guys.
Kyzen’s huge smile makes me blush. “Don’t mind us, gorgeous. You just keep singing that sweet song.”
I groan and Jay’s fingers flex. “Uh, usually, I’d say no, that wouldn’t happen, but you…”
“But me what? What’s wrong with me?”
She hesitates and I know it’s because of my Valtrue. She seems incredibly nervous. I should tell them to walk away so they’ll stop making everyone so antsy.
She lowers her voice. “You have a lot of improperly healed damage. It’s just natural for my power to want to fix it.”
That quickly shuts down the impending orgasm. My mind instantly drifts to the countless times my only option was to treat myself after training. We didn’t have godly Healers back in Oddian who could take care of any injuries for us.
Those memories somewhat keep the ‘feel-good’ hormones as Jay called them, at bay. As she continues to work her glorious godly power, my body begins to feel better than it’s ever felt before. Even my anger at what just happened simmers down.
When a little sigh passes her lips and she finally releases me, I wiggle my relaxed limbs, then stand. The heat coming off my cheeks is pure embarrassment, and I refuse to look at the guys.
I clear my throat and stay focused on her. “Thank you for helping me.”
“You don’t have to thank me. You saved my butt today. It’s the least I could do. Granted, I would’ve done it anyway.”
She smiles brightly and I mimic her gesture. If all the gods who are Healers are like her, then maybe I’ve judged them all too harshly. She’s a sweet delight, from what I’ve experienced.
Well, I take that back.
There’s definitely one who is not sweet like her at all.
She and Leah say their goodbyes and tell me I was badass today. Sure, it makes my ego feel good, but it makes my stomach hurt. I didn’t want to come here and be a badass.
I don’t want to pointlessly fight anymore.
“What do you want to do about dinner?” Yemi asks when we’re about halfway to our houses. She’s obviously over my awkward silence.
“Creed’s taking care of that,” Kyzen answers for me.
“Food’s honestly the last thing on my mind. All I want to take care of is getting this armor, dirt, and blood off me.”
“I’m sure there’s something else you want to take care of too.”
Kyzen’s low tone causes fire to spread through every inch of me. It’s not even doused by Riven’s laugh as he picks up the subtle innuendo.
“She just listed the things she wants to take care of.”
I smirk at Amick’s obliviousness.
Exactly, Candyman.
I most certainly am not going to take care of myself in the bath.