Free Lives of Kings by Lucy Leiderman Page B

almost a giant, with a youthful, lean build. I still stared into the same eyes, however — they were ancient beyond understanding.
    â€œYou have access to the Earth’s magic, though not much remains since your enemies take what they can,” she said. “To be truly powerful, you must embrace your past. Become one with the magic.”
    She had grown into something completely different now. A very tall woman with long black hair and red paint around her eyes stared at me, her fingers still pressing right between my eyes.
    â€œWhat are you?” I asked, breathless.
    â€œYour gods had their children, and I had mine,” she answered.
    The raspy voice now sounded more like an echo, spoken by a hundred people at once. It rang in my ears in a thunderous chorus.
    I couldn’t think of anything to say. I just stared and thought over her words. I was terrified of letting go of this world. What if I never got me back?
    â€œGo.” The goddess, or whatever she was, urged me to get up.
    I scrambled clumsily to my feet, careful not to break contact with her.
    â€œWake your friends. A challenge approaches. Remember my words.”
    I nodded and was about to do as she said when I stopped with one last question.
    â€œWhat did you say to Moira?”
    â€œIt is not for me to reveal,” she replied. “But you will know soon enough.”
    â€œHow?” I asked. “She didn’t understand you.”
    â€œYes, she did.”
    Seth made a noise as he stirred. When I glanced back up, she was gone — both the little old woman and her other self. My hands shook from everything that had just happened. Adrenaline, fear, or the island sleeping concoction had put me on edge, and I could barely speak.
    Seth was moving uneasily and moaning in his sleep. His head darted from side to side. I tried to hold it steady so he wouldn’t hurt himself. He suddenly gasped and sat up, trying to fight me.
    â€œHey!” I yelled. “It’s me! Relax!”
    â€œGwen?”
    Something in his eyes readjusted and I could tell that he only saw me for the first time.
    â€œYes, it’s me. Come on, we have to go.”
    As I sat up, Seth grabbed my sleeve.
    â€œThey know. We have to leave.”
    â€œWhat? Who?” I immediately felt stupid for even asking. As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew exactly whom he meant. The magicians. Or as I now knew they were called, the Godelan — all that was left of them.
    â€œAfter you got pulled out,” Seth explained, sweat running down his face, “I saw them. Now. I somehow saw them in what I think must be this moment. They felt us remember and they know we can access the magic now.”
    When I continued to look at him confusedly, Seth went on.
    â€œIt was night wherever they were. I just saw a glimpse, but I know they know. Something changed just now, and they felt it, too.”
    â€œThe woman said we’ll only get all of our magic when we stop holding back the other half,” I told him. “We need to become like we were.”
    We both looked around for her again, but she was gone.
    â€œThe magicians and us, we must share some kind of bond through the ritual,” I said. It was the only thing that made sense. They could always know what we were doing, how powerful we were, and which of us were the most useful to them. “If they felt what we did, then we have to move quickly.”
    As if on cue, the earth shook gently beneath our feet.
    â€œEarthquake?” I asked Seth, knowing the answer.
    â€œSomething tells me this might not be a natural disaster,” he replied.
    We ran to get Garrison and Moira. They were both slouched over in the deserted hut. I was only mildly surprised to find it empty.
    â€œWhere’d she go?” Seth asked as he shook Garrison.
    I shrugged. There was no time to think about it.
    Garrison and Moira had the same lost look in their eyes when we managed to wake them.