Syann already knew who she would claim as her champion. She would have to make it clear to Kian what the title meant and he would have to formally accept her offer, but how could he refuse? He practically championed her now.
Her mother too already had her champion. The coldblooded mercenary was perfect for the Mistress. Strom was a wretched man and she planned to do her best to distance Kian from him.
In all, Syann was pleased. She had never had a champion before and the idea that it was going to be Kian delighted her even more.
Her business with the swordsman could wait until later, though. Her half-sisters were expecting her. She thought bringing them to Shadow Dragon Mountain, even if it wasn’t in the more occupied areas, would give them a sense of belonging. She hadn’t told anyone to keep the peace. The other gods would have forbidden them from setting foot anywhere on the mountain if they knew she planned to bring them here.
Her discussion with Fane had convinced her to speak with them and now after what had happened in Gallio, she thought it was imperative they be set straight. She didn’t know them well, but they shared a common bond and it would be in their own best interest to heed her words.
Reaching the bottom, she found all ten of them standing in a semicircle near her father’s prison. All wore black dresses with long lace sleeves. Their gowns were cut low in the front to display their ample wares.
Syann had to admit, mongrel sisters or not, the sorceresses were beautiful, in a whorish sort of way. Their mothers had to have been exceptional women. “I am sorry for my tardiness, but the queen had called for a court to be held and--”
Raven held up her hand, stopping the goddess mid-sentence. The action irritated Syann, but she held her tongue. “Before you go on, Syann, we must fulfill a duty. It may change what you have to say to us.”
“Very well. If you feel it that important, do what you must,” she said dismissively.
Raven and her sisters all raised their left hands out in front of them and spoke words of magic. They were familiar to Syann, for they were words of power used only by the gods.
The air shimmered around the sarcophagus that held the Reaper. She watched as the glamor surrounding it fell and she gazed on the sarcophagus as it truly was: a pile of broken rubble.
“What is the meaning of this?” she said, her voice low and full of anger.
Raven looked at the broken stones lying on the floor. “The prison's true form has been hidden since the day after the gods betrayed the Reaper. Did you truly think that prison could hold him, even for a day? You were all fools to think you could cage death.”
The Reaper’s ten Sins slowly knelt on the cavern floor as a huge figure walked out of the shadows.
Syann stumbled back, her hand covering her mouth in fear. “Father.”
To Be Continued in Book Three
Song Of Fury (Gods Of Blood And Fire Book 2) Page 46
