Free A Soul For Atonement (The Soulbearer Series Book 4) by Crista McHugh Page A

the lore of Gravaria.
    He approached the Ornathian book that had been left open on the table and read the legend of how the winged goddess, Lireal, saved the Ornathians by cutting her own throat and spilling her blood. Her divine essence hardened into a heart-shaped gem, and as long as it remained in her temple, the Ornathians would be protected from the wrath of the other gods.
    It would easier to plead with whichever god sent the blight than to go into Chaos . Too bad their attempts to do so had failed over the years.
    “My poor daughter has quite the task ahead of her,” Varrik said behind him.
    “She’d be better off letting them all die.”
    “This coming from a man who never loved anyone more than himself.”
    Callix spun around on his heels, his temper flaring. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
    “Just that.” Varrik crossed his arms in a nonchalant manner. “It is easy for you to dismiss her efforts because you’ve only ever thought of yourself.”
    “Nonsense. I’m thinking of the good of the empire. If she finds a way to open that portal, we could have a repeat of history, especially if Loku gains control of her.”
    “Then perhaps she needs someone who will make sure that doesn’t happen. A Protector, perhaps.”
    Callix opened his mouth to agree, but hesitated when he caught the underlying implication of what Varrik had said. Bitter laughter rolled from his chest. “Nice try, Varrik, but I was relieved of that duty long ago.”
    “By the man whose very life hangs in the balance.”
    The same rush of guilt rose in his chest, smothering him. “He was a condemned man before this.”
    “He was acquitted of his crime, but still bore the punishment. That speaks far more about him than the suspicions that tarnished his name.”
    “He’s a Tel’Brien. Arano would’ve found some other way to get him out of it.”
    “And yet Dev wouldn’t let him.” Varrik closed the Ornathian book and placed it back on the shelf. “He’s a man I would gladly give my only daughter to in marriage. I just hope he lives long enough to see that day.”
    “Instead of worrying about Dev’s life, why don’t you worry more about your daughter’s? She’s determined to do anything to save him. No amount of imperial ties will help her if she actually manages to find a way into Chaos.”
    “I’m quite aware of what she is capable of doing, especially under Loku’s influence.” Varrik gave him one more guilt-inducing glare. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to discuss a new plan of action with Sazi. Arden needs all the allies she can get, and so far, Sazi’s the only one who’s offered to help.”
    “What about you? Why aren’t you following her into Chaos?”
    “We both know why I can’t.”
    Yeah, because if Varrik found himself trapped in Loku’s realm, yesterday’s demonstration would seem like an innocent parlor trick.
    “So you do know where the urn is.”
    Varrik shook his head and flicked his gaze to where Sazi stood in the doorway. “I don’t, but I would be in danger of revealing who does.”
    The Lore Keeper led Sazi out of the library, their murmured conversation too distant for Callix to comprehend. Instead of following them, he wandered through the stacks, hoping something would jump out at him. A text. A scroll. A sign of some kind from Ivis.
    And he got it when he came to the end of one of the rows and found himself standing in front of the tapestry depicting Loku’s defeat. For centuries, the tapestry had guarded the entrance to the vault where Loku’s ashes had been kept. Now it was nothing more than a visual reminder of how Callix had abandoned his family legacy.
    He studied the tapestry from every angle. The stark terror in the faces of the people running toward the edges. The fury in Loku’s eyes as his body burned. And finally, the calm acceptance as Piramus accepted the burden of becoming the first Soulbearer.
    Callix rubbed his thumb over his ancestor’s face and