And do you really think the Raziq will refrain from attacking the Mijai to get them back?
We are greater in number —
And they can use magic. My gaze met the steel of his. You said it yourself, Azriel—only their desires matter. They could very well decide to erase the reapers just as they have the Aedh.
They would not dare —
Why not? I cut in. Why would they care about reapers or souls being unguided? They don’t – their desire to permanently close the gates is evidence enough of that.
It would not be allowed.
I snorted softly. Who wouldn’t allow it? The powers that be? They could have stopped this whole mess in its tracks by stopping the Raziq before they got started, but they preferred to let fate have her way. Do you really think their decision would be any different when it came to reapers?>My voice sounded oddly small in the damp, stale confines of the cavern.
“Malin is not here.” The disembodied voice was male, and while it held no threat, it nevertheless sent a chill down my spine. This was the Raziq I’d spoken to the first time I’d been captured – the Raziq who’d invaded my brain and made it seem like every part of me was being torn apart. A Raziq I thought I’d killed. Obviously, I was wrong.
Not. Sound same, Amaya said. Tasted sweet. Want more.
And I’d love to give you more. Trouble was, I doubted the Raziq would so foolishly expose themselves like that again.
“And even if she were,” the disembodied voice continued, “she would not be foolish enough to show herself with the Mijai present. His desire for revenge is so fierce it stains the fields.”
I snorted. “The only thing staining the fields is you lot. You’re the ones who made the goddamn keys and created this mess we all find ourselves in.”
“We do not need to justify our action to the likes of you —”
“No,” I cut in fiercely, “but you sure as hell have to depend on my help. And you know what? It’s about time you started remembering that. Because without me, there is no way on earth you’re going to get your greedy little mitts on those keys again.”
Risa, Azriel warned. As much as I agree with what you’re saying, antagonizing them might not be wise.
Well, I’ve fucking tried everything else, with little success. Maybe a little anger is precisely what’s needed. I hesitated. Are they close enough to attack yet?
No. They remain outside the barrier.
You can’t breach it?
Given time, Valdis could, but I see little point in weakening either of us that way.
Especially when the Raziq might be waiting for that very thing to happen. A weakened Mijai would be a far easier target.
“Do not think either yourself or your reaper are beyond the reach of our wrath,” the Raziq replied. “What I did to you, I could so easily do to him.”
“I suggest you look a little closer, Yeska.” Azriel’s voice was edged with contempt. “You would not find either of us such an easy target now.”
I gave Azriel a sharp glance. You know him?
We have crossed paths previously. He glanced at me, eyes glowing brightly in the blue and lilac light of the swords. He is Malin’s second. Valdis has tasted his blood in the past.
If the fierce flare of fire along Valdis’s sides was anything to go by, she longed to do so again. Why would a Mijai be sent after a Raziq?
When it became evident they were behind the systematic killing of Aedh priests. Yeska was caught and questioned.
Why wasn’t he killed? Reaper rules?
Yes. If we had known their ultimate plan, however, then perhaps intervention would have been ordered. Instead, it was simply left to the fates.
I snorted. The powers that be obviously had a hell of a lot more faith in fate than I did.
“Interesting,” the disembodied voice that was Yeska replied. “Two have become one. That would explain the lack of response in the device we placed in your heart.”