To Kill a God by C.S. Wilde

Chapter 8

Bast’s fistcrashed against Corvus’s jaw so hard that his brother toppled backwards. He opened his portal of night and stars and lunged forward, but before he could cross, Corvus trapped him in a chokehold.

“Kura!” Bast bellowed as he thrashed against his grip. “Let me go!”

“The detective would never forgive me!” Corvus tightened his grasp, but when Bast elbowed his ribs, he let go with a loud, “Ouch!”

“You left her behind!” he barked before jumping into his own portal, soon blinking out in the sky above the port. His silver wings flashed behind him, keeping him adrift.

The ocean had rushed miles and miles inland, the blue water turning a sloshy brown as it engulfed dirt, roads, homes… The port’s high tower had completely disappeared underwater. So had everything else.

Bast’s stomach fell upon itself as he watched the devastation below him. Boosting forward, he scanned for survivors, but the rooftops that stayed above water were empty. Either those near the port were dead, or they’d managed to escape to safety—Bast hoped for the second. And if those faeries were indeed safe, it had been thanks to Mera.

Desperation threatened to swallow him while he glanced at the rushing brown water, but he couldn’t lose focus. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and tried to reach her.

“Kitten, where are you?”

Nothing but hollow silence answered him.

Mera had to be alive. Bast couldn’t consider the alternative, so he ignored his deepest fears. He had to, if he were to find her.

Fact: Azinor needed Mera, though for what, he couldn’t guess. The shig wouldn’t kill his own daughter if he needed her for his plans, whatever they might be, which meant Bast had a little bit of time, at least.

Turning to the open ocean, he balled his fists. He would get his hart back, and he would burn anything and anyone who stood in his path.

Corvus suddenly winnowed next to him, his pitch-black wings flapping frantically. Bast couldn’t look him in the eye, not yet, even if he understood he’d only followed Mera’s wishes.

“I know you’re mad at me, but there’s someone more deserving of your wrath.” His brother pulled out a phone from his pocket.

“I thought you hated human technology.”

“I do, but this little thing can be quite useful. I wouldn’t have found the detective if not for this ‘zellphone’, back when you were kidnapped by the dead queen.”

“It’s called cell phone.”

“Whatever.” Corvus waved a hand dismissively. “See, if I hadn’t found her, she wouldn’t have been able to save your ass. So, I keep this cell phone for emergencies.” He tapped the device mindlessly before showing it to him. “Speaking of which…”

Images of Mera holding back the ekrunami played on the screen. The camera hovered high above her and the crest of the wave, showing Azinor and Ariella Wavestorm. A red strip at the bottom of the display read, ‘Detective Maurea: Hollowcliff’s finest or siren spy?’

Interviews with people from each borough followed. Many called her a double-agent, and others called her a hero. It was hard to tell where the majority might lie, though one thing was certain: her secret was out and nothing would ever be the same again.

“The sarking flying machines had cameras,” he growled. “Wait. If you found Mera once using your phone, maybe—”

Corvus shook his head. “Already tried and failed. My guess is she’s deep underwater by now. These things aren’t exactly water resistant.”

Bast grit his teeth, his fists balling. “Then there’s only one thing left to do before we go after her.”

A mischievous grin hooked Corvus’ left cheek as he put the phone back in his pocket. “You’ve been there before, so lead the way, Brother. I’ll handle the magic barrier around the building.”

Within the next moment, Bast blinked into Councilor Adam’s office, with Corvus following him.

Constructed in all white marble and sharp lines, the office reminded Bast of the temples of Danu, with a big, squared mouth that showed the city of Clifftown on the left. His shoes thumped on the marbled floor as he marched toward the mahogany desk at the end.

Councilor Adams watched them approach while holding a phone to his ear. “Samantha, I have to go. Increase the security measures on the shore. I’ll update you when I return from the assembly.” He hung up, his hazel eyes never leaving Bast and Corvus. “I didn’t think you would be bold enough to waltz into my office, Detective Dhay.” He nodded at Corvus. “Night King.”

Bast raised an eyebrow as he assessed the office, listening to the silence around them. “Your guards should have barged in by now.”

“They should have, but you didn’t exactly use the front door, did you? Besides, you’re both more powerful than most criminals in this country, not to mention skilled assassins. Flying off the radar is a sport for you.” He crossed his arms. “Do tell me, how did you break the magic barrier around the building?”

Corvus wiggled his fingers as if saying ‘hello’.

“You seem awfully calm for someone who betrayed Mera, Councilor.” Bast stepped forward, hands behind his back. “Mighty brave of you, since you’re alone in this office with me and my brother. You see, our nightblood makes us quite unstable.” His lips curled to display pointy fangs that sharpened along with his rage.

The councilor showed no fear. “The jets weren’t supposed to have cameras. It was an internal leak, and the person responsible is now in jail for breach of confidentiality, I can assure you.”

“She was caught on tape, Peter,” Bast spat, forgetting about décor and protocol. “You said Ruth was important to you, and that you would protect Mera. Instead, you exposed her to the world.” He slammed a heavy palm on the councilor’s mahogany table, resisting the urge to punch the suket. “You fucked up spectacularly!”

The councilor ran a hand through his blond-going-white hair, and his eyes glistened.

If Bast didn’t know better, he would say the shig felt remorse, maybe even guilt. No. Politicians were incapable of both.

“Make no mistake, Detective Dhay.” Adams stared at him. “I fully intend to fix that mistake.”

“How? The entire nation is up in arms because of the ‘traitoramong us’. That’s what they’re calling her on the news! A fucking traitor. After everything she’s done for Tagrad. By Danu, she stopped an ekrunami!”

“An ekru… ah, yes, the tsunami. Forgive me, my Faeish has always been a tad lacking.” The councilor scratched his trimmed beard. “Indeed. If not for Mera, thousands more would have died. We simply need to remind those who are calling her a traitor of that fact.” He paused to consider something, then nodded at Bast. “Which is why you’ll both accompany me to the emergency assembly. Right now.”

“The council assembly?” Corvus blinked. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. It’s actually fortuitous that you’re here, Night King. I always thought Lunor Insul should have a seat at the table.”

Corvus turned to Bast, eyes wide. “Brother, say what you will, but I like this baku.”

Yet, Bast watched Adams with suspicion. “Say that once he fixes the shitstorm he’s created.”

“I fully intend to.” The councilor pointed at Bast. “Go on, then. Do your winnowing thing. Time is of the essence.”