Free Spirits of Light and Shadow (The Gods of Talmor) by India Drummond

long as Korbin could remember.
    “The priests searched the house themselves. I would have, but…” His voice trailed off.
    “They presented the evidence of witchcraft to Tarsten?”
    Graiphen packed a few remaining items into the bag and fastened its latch. “I… I’m not clear how everything happened.”
    The admission that he didn’t know everything that occurred in his own house must have cost him dearly. Korbin had never seen him at a loss. “You don’t trust Tarsten?”
    “No.” Graiphen glowered.
    “But he was the one who reached out to Eliam, who then contacted me. I went to the conduit who unbound the curse. If Tarsten were working against you, surely he would have left the matter alone.”
    Graiphen paused and seemed to weigh the thought. “Perhaps,” he conceded. “It pains me to admit I don’t have the clearest picture of the past weeks.”
    “You seem much improved,” Korbin said. “I don’t understand why the door is locked.”
    Rounding on him with a fierce look, Graiphen spat, “Exactly. Why indeed?” The outer chamber had windows, but Graiphen wasn’t the kind to escape his own house by climbing down a trellis.
    The North Circle was always watched. There was a common expression in Vol, “It happened on the Circle,” which meant an occurrence was public knowledge, something no one could deny. Whatever his plans, Graiphen didn’t intend to go public with his suspicions of Tarsten’s treachery.
    Korbin hoped Eliam wouldn’t get caught in the aftermath. “Where do you plan to go?” he repeated.
    “To those who will help me in this dark hour.” Graiphen uttered the words softly, as though quoting a prayer or poem. After a pause he added, “The temple of Braetin.”
    Korbin froze. Braetin ? Why would he turn to the Spirit of Shadow whose realm was nightmares?
    “I know what you’re thinking,” Graiphen said. “But only through her priests’ knowledge can my mind be made whole again. They brought clarity to my thoughts when I had forgotten myself. They understand the minds of men, as does the Spirit they serve.” He spoke the final words with hushed reverence reserved for believers.
    Korbin shivered. “If you think it will help you, you should go. What of your duties to the senate? To Talmor?”
    “With the help of the goddess, I may serve Talmor in a more significant way after today.”
    Korbin didn’t know what his father meant, but he didn’t press. Graiphen’s mind seemed clear. He was more focused, impassioned, and intense than Korbin remembered seeing him. He considered if he should ask Octavia if this was normal, considering what he’d been through. Maybe she could help, and her assistance would be less costly. A conduit would accept gold. The priests of a Shadow Spirit, on the other hand, might demand something greater. Their aid always came at a price.
    Korbin slipped his fingers into his pocket and took out the brass key. “Here,” he said, holding it out to his father.
    Graiphen stared at the proffered object as though he didn’t understand its purpose. “No, no,” he said. “You must take me there. Tonight. After dark.”
    “To the temple?” He’d been to the central temple complex many times throughout his life, but he’d only been in the Shadow goddess’ house twice. Neither visit had been particularly pleasant. Just remembering the heavy smell of incense made him shudder. “Why not go now?”
    “What is the hour?” Graiphen asked. “We should wait until dark. Fewer people to see where I’m going. Tarsten has come every day before the dinner hour. We’ll talk to him tonight, then eat. We’ll slip out after the servants retire.”
    “We?” Korbin asked. “Surely you don’t need me. You seem perfectly capable.”
    “I am,” Graiphen snapped. His expression softened before turning into a frustrated scowl. “I still get clouded. It’s difficult to admit I need help.” He met Korbin’s eyes. “I need your assistance. I’ve never asked