Cursed by the Gods

Chapter 15

I had to step back from all the confusing emotions they instilled in me. Sometimes, they almost treated me like an equal; like when they saved me from being sentenced to death-by-sacrifice, just because of a stupid competition. Or just before, when they had formed a circle around me to protect me, as though I was someone worthy of protection. A dweller that actually meant something to them. A dweller that meant something ... period. And then there were the other times. The times when they treated me like dirt beneath their feet. The way they were supposed to treat me.

I needed to make sure I never forgot my place, never let them know the truth—dwellers who did that ended up with a fate worse than death. They became Jeffrey. Or something. I didn't really know. I was just assuming that becoming a Jeffrey was the worst thing that could happen to our kind.

Time to remind them all I was an emotional dweller.

"Which one of you sols is going to tell me what the freaking hell just happened right then?" Going on the attack felt natural. "How in the hell did a god just walk out of Topia and talk to us? What the hell are you five hiding that means you can walk into Topia ... and you know about the god's colours ... and what the HELL?"

I might have been yelling toward the end there, which might have caused lots of huffing and puffing when I finished. Dammit they were working me up just by standing there. I kept my eyes closed desperate now to hide the glowing that I knew was happening.

I could feel five sets of eyes as they observed me, each sparkling unnaturally in the darkness around us. Was it possible that these sols were extra-special? Sure, they had told me that they were, but I figured that it was just their arrogance speaking. I hadn't really taken them that seriously.

Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention.

And why wasn't anyone answering me?

I was about to go crazy-dweller on them again when the sky opened above us and Rau followed through on his storm promise. I was scooped up by someone, and then we were running. It was only the hint of gold and the summery scent of burning sugar wrapping around me that told me it was Aros. He tucked me close to his body so that no trees smashed into my limbs, and then they were full-on sprinting.

"We need to get to higher ground!" Siret shouted. He looked to be out the front, leading the way. "I know a spot!"

Higher ground? It never rained enough in Minatsol to worry about water rising above the ground. Only that one time back in the seventh ring when I had a massive breakdown, oh how the heavens opened that day.

I was starting to think that I knew nothing about this world, or the gods. I probably should have paid better attention in class; Emmy surely knew all of this.

It was almost pitch black around us now, and since we were running at a full sprint, through a tightly knit forest, it was pretty scary. I could barely even focus on the trees flashing past us, and the knowledge that I was probably going to be smashed against one soon was enough to have my face pressing into Aros's chest. A girl could get used to being pressed against an Abcurse chest whenever the world decided to go insane. One benefit to all the shitty drama they brought into my life. I sensed they were talking above my head, but by this stage, I was too tired and cold to even listen.