Eclipse: Time Thief (Romantasy)

49. Tethered

Blood poured from the neck of the graduate who Piercey had put out of his misery. How could the Prophet have tortured him so barbarically? What he'd done to Nash had made my stomach churn, especially thinking about how many times the Prophet must have carved his name into his skin for the power to scar despite the healing. But this torment went beyond what I knew was possible.

"You bastard," I said, lunging for the Prophet.

"Max!" Nash clutched me around my waist.

Heat spread over my body in a flash. Nash recoiled, grabbing his hand.

"You didn't have to take it so far." The air around me grew hazy with heat. "You have the Valley. You won! Everyone fears your name. What's the point of toying with people like this?"

Piercey rose on shaky legs. "Don't, Max."

The Prophet wore a cocky grin I was desperate to wipe off his face. "You've seen it too, haven't you?" He eyed me like a hungry lion would a piece of meat. "You've seen your blood pooling in the cracks of my stage."

It hit me like a punch to the gut.

"Time is given to the Prophets alone. And yet a foolish girl managed to sneak her fingers into the cracks of time and pry it apart." The Prophet moved forward. "I can still taste your sweet blood." A thin tongue snaked out of his mouth and licked his lips. "Tomorrow your soul will return to the gods."

Fear choked out my voice. I'd looked into his eyes so many times–the eyes of death. I couldn't ask what he meant about time. How he knew I would die. I could only see the life I'd never lead flash before me. A life I'd always knew I'd lose and yet couldn't stop myself from hoping for, especially now that I'd found Nash.

Piercey lifted his hand to the Prophet. "You will not go near her."

"You have always been such a bright and optimistic boy." The Prophet clasped his hands behind his back. "Perfect qualities for a director. It keeps you blind and easy to control."

"Step back," Piercey said.

"You think your Sacred School makes Prophets?" He snorted. "You churn out loyal subjects. Demons who can control their powers. Who no longer cause chaos. The gods make Prophets."

My nostrils flared. "The gods train you once you leave the school. We should have known."

"Letting someone learn enough to think they have it all figured out is the best way to keep them in the dark." The Prophet glared at each of us. "The gods have no mercy left for you. I know what you did, thief. I won't allow you to steal this world for yourself."

Heat pounded in my temples. "Then you should rejoice in freedom, you coward, not pine for your precious gods to keep you in power."

"You all die here today. All of you except for her." His long finger pointed at me. "Tomorrow, Eclipse, you will finally surrender your power and the people will drink of your blood and consume your power."

Piercey belted a roar and pumped his hands out to the Prophet. Blasts of air ripped his cloak back, but the Prophet didn't budge.

He snorted. "If you're so eager to die..."

Beside me, Nash gasped in a strangled breath. Piercey grabbed his throat, eyes round. Tears flooded Val's eyes.

He was choking them and even Piercey couldn't stop it. I tried to pry back his control, but it was like trying to move a mountain. The Prophet didn't even break a sweat. He looked into my eyes, smiling.

Beside me Nash fell to his knees, muscles straining as he gripped his neck. Terror shredded my focus.

I ripped my blade from my side and ran for the Prophet, roaring. With my arm wrenched back, I thrust it for his gut.